Falcons 2000 SC

Originally founded in 1961 by the local Latrobe Valley Italian-Australian Community as IASCOG (Italian-Australian Social Club of Gippsland), a sponsorship deal in 1962 saw them renamed as the Morwell Falcons.^[1]

The deal to rename the club was done as part of a promotion for the new Ford Falcon, of which Ford Australia had just launched its first ever model, the XK.^[2]

The club participated in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League between 1961 and 1973. Then the Victorian State League Football System at all levels between 1974 and 1992. Morwell Falcons were admitted to the National Soccer League in 1992-93 where it competed until folding after relegation in 2000–01. It was re-established as Falcons 2000 SC Inc in 2001. Since its inception the club has played under multiple names. Including Morwell Falcons, then Gippsland Falcons SC, before folding under the name Eastern Pride in 2001. The club bears its present name Falcons 2000 after its financial re-establishment

The Falcons were one of the most successful clubs in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. Gippsland is all of South-East Victoria (approximately the same size as Switzerland), and includes most of around 100 islands in the region and Bass Strait. Morwell Falcons were Champions of the Victorian State League on two occasions, winning the State League Championship and League Finals Cup double in 1984 and 1989, and the Statewide Dockerty Cup in 1994.

Morwell Falcons were the only club based in regional Victoria to have participated at National Soccer League level before the NSL disbanded in 2003–04. The NSL was replaced with the A-League Men in 2005–06, making the new Tier 1 exclusively for licensed teams only, with no promotion and relegation.

Morwell Falcons major difficulty was the location of Latrobe City Stadium at Crinigan Road, Morwell. The stadium itself was too far distant from Morwell Train Station for any serious attendance by public transport users who would have walked to the stadium from the train station. The club attracted competitive and sustainable attendances relatively speaking compared to other clubs, and had a large local following when in the National Soccer League via people watching the Australian National television coverage, including highlights and live games, on SBS. The club was also featured in the sports sections of the local newspapers. That included the Latrobe Valley Express, delivered free to every household in the Latrobe City Council area (where applicable).

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  AUS Callum Dominguez 2 DF  AUS Dylan Smith 3 DF  ITA Gabrielle Bochicchio 4 FW  AUS Jamie Pistrin 5 MF  AUS Jayden Unmack 6 DF  AUS Joseph Auciello 7 FW  AUS Joshua Gangi 8 MF  AUS Joshua Patterson 9 FW  AUS Lachlan Spiteri 10 FW  AUS Lachlan Frendo

No. Pos. Nation Player 11 FW  AUS Mohamad Taleb 12 MF  AUS Sathaphone Latdasone 13 MF  AUS Scott Mackeown 14 MF  AUS Thomas D'Alia 18 DF  AUS Toby Capp — MF  AUS Jordi Vacca — DF  AUS Edan Davies — DF  AUS Willis Medd — GK  AUS Benjamin Nicholls

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Morwell entered the Victorian State League System in Tier 7 in 1974, after winning the Latrobe Valley Soccer League Championship for the second time in 3 years.

Victorian Metropolitan Leagues

Morwell Falcons were promoted in the Victorian State League part of the "Pyramid" 5 times in 6 years between 1976 and 1981. The Falcons first 4 seasons (of 5) in the Victorian Metropolitan Football League system produced a worst season finish of 3rd. The Falcons progressed from the Tier 6 Victorian Metropolitan Football League Division 4, to the Tier 3 Victorian Metropolitan Football League Division 1, via 3 Runners-Up promotions in 4 seasons.^[6][7][8]

More information 1977 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 4 (Tier 6) Pos Team P W L D GF GA GD Pts Result 1 Doncaster (C) 22 18 3 1 59 20 39 39 Champions 2 Morwell Falcons (P) 22 17 0 5 67 22 45 34 Promoted 3Sandringham22142652331930 4Clayton229674135624, Pos ...

1977 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 4 (Tier 6) Pos Team P W L D GF GA GD Pts Result 1 Doncaster (C) 22 18 3 1 59 20 39 39 Champions 2 Morwell Falcons (P) 22 17 0 5 67 22 45 34 Promoted 3 Sandringham 22 14 2 6 52 33 19 30 4 Clayton 22 9 6 7 41 35 6 24

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More information 1979 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 3 (Tier 5) Pos Team P W L D GF GA GD Pts Result 1 Park Rangers (C) 22 17 3 2 63 22 41 37 Champions 2 Morwell Falcons (P) 22 15 3 4 51 20 31 33 Promoted 3Fawkner22124646271928 4Cloburg229674239324, Pos ...

1979 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 3 (Tier 5) Pos Team P W L D GF GA GD Pts Result 1 Park Rangers (C) 22 17 3 2 63 22 41 37 Champions 2 Morwell Falcons (P) 22 15 3 4 51 20 31 33 Promoted 3 Fawkner 22 12 4 6 46 27 19 28 4 Cloburg 22 9 6 7 42 39 3 24

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More information 1980 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 2 (Tier 4) Pos Team P W L D GF GA GD Pts Result 1 Park Rangers (C) 22 16 4 2 43 15 28 36 Champions 2 Morwell Falcons (P) 22 15 3 4 58 24 34 33 Promoted 3Knox City229763129225 4Heidelberg United228683430422, Pos ...

1980 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 2 (Tier 4) Pos Team P W L D GF GA GD Pts Result 1 Park Rangers (C) 22 16 4 2 43 15 28 36 Champions 2 Morwell Falcons (P) 22 15 3 4 58 24 34 33 Promoted 3 Knox City 22 9 7 6 31 29 2 25 4 Heidelberg United 22 8 6 8 34 30 4 22

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1981 was the Falcons only season competing in the Victorian Metropolitan Football League Division 1. The team finished 9th, but was promoted to the Tier 2 Victorian State League regardless, due to a restructuring of the league system.^[9]

Between 1971 and 1980 the Morwell Falcons finished no lower than 3rd in 10 consecutive seasons in 5 divisions. Results included 9 seasons in the top 2, 4 Championships, and 5 Runners-Up finishes (4 resulting in promotion). It included 3 Championships in a row in 1973-74-75. The team achieved promotion to the next Tier 5 times in 8 season during this period.

National Soccer League

Morwell Falcons were admitted to the then National Soccer League for the 1992–93 season, the 4th NSL season with a Summer schedule. It meant that the Falcons had to complete the 26-game 1992 Victorian State League season, then move into the 26-game Summer NSL Season in the same year, after a break of just over six weeks. Morwell Falcons last game in the Victorian Premier League was in Round 26 on Sunday August 23, 1992. The Falcons drew 1–1 with Brunswick Juventus in Morwell.^[18]

The Falcons had previously been offered entry into the National Soccer League during the 1980s, but initially declined. They also had the opportunity to win promotion to the NSL via the 1989 playoffs, however, they lost 5–2 over two legs to West Adelaide.

However, their opportunity in Australia's top flight would come in 1992, when Preston Makedonia pulled out of the competition, at which league officials again offered Morwell the chance to join - an offer that was accepted, despite the short time to prepare for the season.

National Soccer League Inaugural Game: Round 1 1992-93 Season

NSL Round 1

7 October 1992 (1992-10-07)

More information Morwell Falcons, 2-0 ...

Morwell Falcons	2-0	Sydney Olympic
Zlatko Markovski Billy Wright	Report

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Falcons Park (Latrobe City Stadium), Morwell, Latrobe Valley, Gippsland

Attendance: 3676

Referee: Not Available

The tired looking Falcons finishing 12th in the inaugural season in Tier 1.^[19]

What followed was a disappointing listed finish of 7th in 1993–94. Morwell missed out on Final 6 qualification via a series of bizarre refereeing decisions, which resulted in the Falcons finishing 7th and missing the playoffs.^[20] The new Di Fabrizio stand on the outer side of Falcons Park was opened before the Round 18 home game against South Melbourne. See a short television news feature on the stand opening here. The game drew a record crowd of well over 4 times the number of seats available at the venue of 8,256.^[21] Morwell's season finished with 3 wins in a row, including a 3–2 away win against Marconi Fairfield in Sydney who qualified for the playoffs in 4th, and a 4–3 away win over 1st placed Melbourne Knights at Somers St Stadium, Melbourne. Morwell had the 7th highest average home attendance (of 14 teams) in the league.^[22]

Morwell went on to win the statewide Dockerty Cup in 1994 with a win over Melbourne Zebras in the final 2–1. Morwell Falcons became the first Gippsland based team to win the Dockerty Cup since Wonthaggi Magpies in 1931. The Dockerty Cup was open to all teams based in the state of Victoria. As an NSL team the Falcons entered the competition in the Quarter Final stage and had wins over Frankston Pines, South Melbourne, and Melbourne Zebras to win the tournament.^[23]

1994 Dockerty Cup

Quarter Final

Morwell Falcons v Frankston Pines

18 September 1994 (1994-09-18) Quarter-final	Morwell Falcons	6–1	Frankston Pines	Melbourne, Australia
	Armstrong Markovski Canosa	Report	Watson	Stadium: Middle Park Stadium Referee: John Santa Isabel

Semi Final

Morwell Falcons v South Melbourne

18 September 1994 (1994-09-18) Semi-final	Morwell Falcons	2–1 (a.e.t.)	South Melbourne	Melbourne, Australia
	Armstrong 35' Armstrong 109'	Report	Boutsianis 2'	Stadium: Middle Park Stadium Referee: John Santa Isabel

Final

Melbourne Zebras v Morwell Falcons

25 September 1994 (1994-09-25) Final	Melbourne Zebras	1–2	Morwell Falcons	Melbourne, Australia
	Karkaletsis 36' (pen.)	Report	Bothwell 45' Waddell 64' (pen.)	Stadium: Olympic Park Referee: John Santa Isabel

Morwell Falcons side in the 1994 Dockerty Cup Final:
Jason Dastey, Garry Upton, Claudio Canosa, Steve Douglas, Shaun Parton, Marcus Stergiopoulos, Sonny Sevin, John Waddell, Brian Bothwell, Carlo Villani, Lachlan Armstrong.
Coach: Bobby McLachlan

Finals 1994-95

Morwell Falcons played in its only National Soccer League Finals Series in 1995. The team had arguably its best season ever, qualifying 4th in the top 6. The league system involved a penalty shootout at the end of every draw. The Falcons lost just 5 games outright (of 24) for the season, finishing with 8 wins and 11 draws (4 penalty shootout wins and 7 penalty shootout losses). Morwell Falcons hosted leg 1 of the NSL Finals Series Elimination Final versus South Melbourne.^[24]

A large finals crowd at the Crinigan Road Latrobe City Stadium of 6,565 saw the Falcons play well, but ultimately lose the game 0–1. In the return leg the Falcons lost 5–1 in front of 5,807 in Melbourne at Olympic Park. John Markovski scored the Falcons only goal in an NSL Final in the 66th minute of leg 2. Morwell later won through to the final four of the Dockerty Cup for the second consecutive year, losing to South Melbourne in the Semi Finals.

The National Soccer League Top 6 1994-95

More information Pos, Team ...

Pos	Team	Pld	W	PW	PL	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Melbourne Knights (C)	24	16	2	2	4	56	25	+31	70
2	Adelaide City	24	16	1	3	4	41	20	+21	69
3	Sydney United	24	15	3	2	4	34	19	+15	68
4	Morwell Falcons	24	8	4	7	5	41	37	+4	47	Qualification for the Finals series
5	West Adelaide	24	8	5	3	8	28	32	−4	45
6	South Melbourne	24	9	3	2	10	42	36	+6	44

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Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion

1994-95 National Soccer League Elimination Final

Leg 1

15 April 1995 (1995-04-15)

19:00 approx

More information Morwell Falcons, 0–1 ...

Morwell Falcons	0–1	South Melbourne Hellas
	Report	Kelic 60'

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Latrobe City Stadium (Falcons Park), Morwell, Latrobe Valley, Gippsland

Attendance: 6,565

Referee: Gerry Connolly

Leg 2

23 April 1995 (1995-04-23)

15:00 approx

More information South Melbourne Hellas, 5–1 ...

South Melbourne Hellas	5–1	Morwell Falcons
Trimboli 12' Petersen 30' Muscat 45' Kelic 59' Polak 64'	Report	Markovski 66'

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Olympic Park, Melbourne

Attendance: 5,807

Referee: Eugene Brazzale

South Melbourne Won 6–1 on aggregate.^[25]

With the then-named Gippsland Falcons (and then Eastern Pride for one season in 2000–01) in persistent financial trouble in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and concerns over what would happen to the club's identity and famous junior program, a decision was made in the year 2000 by the club's members to form Falcons 2000 Soccer Club, who would be entered into the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.

The club's initial focus was to create a pathway for talented junior players, with its inaugural men's team largely made up of teenage players.

Upon the collapse of the National Soccer League team with the winding up of Eastern Pride, the Falcons 2000 assumed the official lineage of the professional club, albeit deciding to stay in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League rather than seek re-entry into the Victorian Premier League, where the club left in 1992.

The club struggled to compete with the more established LVSL teams, many of who fielded experienced sides as the level of competition proved far above the Falcons - whose only result of note in the 2000s was finishing as runner-up in the 2002 Battle of Britain Cup.

However, victory in the 2009 Battle of Britain Cup - a 4–2 in over Monash^[30] - heralded a breakthrough moment in the club's rebirth, winning the same title 3–2 against Monash a year later. Despite suffering losses in the next two Cup finals, the Falcons went on to win the Battle of Britain Cup in 2014,^[31][32] 2015,^[33][34] and 2016.^[35]

However, the club's hunt for a long-awaited LVSL title would last until 2015, when they finally broke through for their first triumph since 1973 with victory dramatically secured on the last day of the season when Sale United unexpectedly lost 3–2 at home to Newborough-Yallourn United after conceding a last-minute goal.^[36]

The 2015 season was also notable for the form of star striker Jesse Kennedy, whose 46 goals saw him awarded as the highest goal scorer in any senior men's Victorian league. Kennedy in scored in 21 of his 24 league appearances.^[37]

That season would spark what the club would later declare a "decade of success", with the Falcons going on to win the LVSL again in 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2024, firmly re-establishing themselves as the dominant club in the Latrobe Valley.^[38][39]

• 
  Gippsland Falcons Logo (1995–2000)

The club was formed in 1961 by Italian migrants as the Italian Australian Social Club of Gippsland (IASCO), and initially played in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.^[73]

In 1964, the club changed its name to Morwell Falcons as a result of a sponsorship arrangement with the Ford Motor Company.^[74] Morwell joined the wider ranks of the Victorian leagues in 1974, initially being accepted as a member of the Victoran Provisional League - which they promptly won in their first two seasons.

At the end of the 1976 season, the decade-long suspension of North Carlton created a vacancy in the Victoran Metropolitan League, and the Falcons beat off 25 other applicants to be selected to make the jump for 1977. The club was chosen for its "...financial strength, sound administration, strong junior setup and good backing from Morwell Shire Council."^[75]

A double-page spread in Soccer Action highlighted the Falcons' big ambitions, boldly declaring "State League is their aim" - despite having only just won promotion from Victoria's fourth division.^[76]

But the vision foretold by the club's legendary leader Don Di Fabrizio - later described by football historian Roy Hay as the "key figure in the club's success"^[78] - was proven correct as the Falcons exceeded all expectations to reach the Victorian State League in 1982, moving into their expansive modern premises on Crinigan Road, on Morwell's northern fringe, that very same year.^[1]

At the time, promotion to the Victorian State League was not automatic - rather, clubs were relegated and promoted according to a number of criteria, to help ensure the strongest clubs were able to play in the higher tiers. It was the relegation of Altona City - who finished last in 1981, winning just twice and finishing ten points of the second-last team - that opened up a place for the Falcons, who were voted for promotion by the Victorian Soccer Federation's screening committee.^[79]

Having finished fourth in their first season in the Victorian State League, and runner up in the State League Cup, the Falcons made perhaps the most pivotal transfer in club history, signing 23-year old Jim MacLean for $2500 from Queensland Lions FC. The former Sunderland, Dundee and Randers midfielder was an instant sensation in Morwell, quickly establishing himself as arguably the dominant player in the Victorian league.^[80]

By the end of 1983, Morwell's attendances had grown to an average of around 1000 per week, one of the largest in the Victorian State League. The club began considering the possibility of making an application to join the National Soccer League - even asking the locally popular Latrobe Valley Soccer League to shift matches to different days increase attendances at Falcons' NSL games.^[81]

In 1984, just two years after arriving in the top tier, the Falcons would win their first Victorian State League title under the tutelage of Irish coach and ex-Fulham icon Jimmy Dunne.

This allowed them to apply for the NSL's Southern Conference, but the club declined the offer.^[73] It was that same year that Jim MacLean was the named as the Victorian Premier League Player of the Year (known as the Rothmans Medal at the time).

Despite the triumph in 1984, heartbreak would follow in 1985 as the slow-starting Falcons finished the season with a sensational flourish to win seven of their last eight matches - including a 1–0 victory over eventual league champions Croydon City. Despite the barnstorming run, Croydon - now with Falcons' 1984 league champion Billy Whiteside in goal - held their nerve to claim the league title with a 5–1 away win over Maribyrnong Polonia on the final day of the season.

Morwell qualified for the 1985 State League Cup final against Box Hill United but were sensationally denied back-to-back titles in what remains one of the biggest controversies ever seen in Victorian football. With the match still at 0-0, a clear penalty to Morwell was denied by referee Andy Frangou in the final minute of regulation time, leading to major protestations from Falcons' officials. However, the decision remained unchanged, leading to extra time - where another shock decision in the 103rd minute saw Box Hill granted a surprise penalty. The spot kick was duly converted by Andy Hughes, snatching victory away from the Falcons amid the fury of their players and officials.^[82]

However, a 2–1 victory over reigning National Soccer League champions South Melbourne in the 1985 Dockerty Cup Round of 16 indicated just how strong the Falcons were during the mid-1980s, invariably leading to speculation about when the club would step up to the national stage.^[83]

Dunne left the club in 1986 and the club moved on to Scottish coach Bobby McLachlan, who stayed for eight years.

In 1989, Morwell won its second Victorian championship, pipping Brunswick Juventus to the title by a solitary point. The Falcons were placed in a two leg playoff for a spot in the National Soccer League/ However, the Falcons failed to progress to the top flight after losing 5–2 on aggregate against South Australian champions West Adelaide.^[73][84]

The club eventually joined the NSL's ranks in season 1992/93.^[73] Morwell won the statewide Dockerty Cup in 1994, after entering the competition as an NSL team in the Quarter Final Stage. The Falcons qualified for the NSL finals once in season 1994/95 after finishing fourth. The club found itself in the bottom half of the NSL table thereafter, although the club never finished with the wooden spoon.^[85]

The Falcons' professional era ended when financial difficulties meant they were prevented from playing in the final four matches of the 2000-01 National Soccer League^[87][88][89] and a proposed sale to Melbourne-based furniture entrepreneur Tony Schiavello fell through.^[90]

Falcons 2000 were simultaneously created by the Falcons' members in the year 2000 and entered into the Latrobe Valley Soccer League that same year. With the collapse of Eastern Pride - as the club was known in their final year - in April 2001, Falcons 2000 would ultimately absorb the Falcons' full lineage and history, spanning back to 1961.^[91]

Whiteside

Clarke

Bruns

Higham

Train

MacLean

Bingham

O'Callaghan

Moore

Aythersych

Stirton

1984 Victorian Champions Starting XI

Despite finishing fourth in their first year in the Victorian State Men's League in 1982, the Falcons surprised all when they slipped to the 10th in 1983 despite significantly boosting their squad with key players like Jim MacLean, Alun Evans and Bobby McGuinness.^[92]

However, expectations for the 1984 season were raised for Latrobe Valley-based club when they recruited some key players - including Northern Irish youth international Gerry Clarke, Irish midfielder Stephen Moore and dynamic Englishman Russell Athersych - and ex-Fulham star Jimmy Dunne as head coach.

While Clarke went on to become something of an icon in Gippsland football in later life, coaching numerous local clubs, Moore's prowess in front of goal in 1984 - scoring 17 goals in 26 games - proved an incredible return from the midfied.

The Falcons won just one of their first five games but a 5-0 thumping of Knox City in round six ignited their season and they then claimed victory in six of their next seven matches to climb to the top of the league.

A series of powerful victories - including a 6–0 thrashing of Knox City and a 4-0 hammering of St Albans - meant the Falcons were in the box seat to claim the highest honour in Victorian football, with the signing of Doveton striker Iain Stirton after round 14 proving to be an inspired choice after he was relegated to the Doveton bench by coach Hammy McMeechan. Stirton had an extraordinary impact, netting 10 goals in his first seven games for Morwell and adding another to finish with 11 for the season. Stirton would go on to score more goals than any other player for the Falcons at State League level - 46 goals in 101 games - before leaving the club at the end of the 1988 season.

Leading the league by two points, the Falcons needed only a draw in their final match against Albion Rovers to claim the title. A 0–0 draw at Selwyn Reserve in Albion ensured the Falcons would win their first ever state championship. A sterling performance by young Morwell local Effie Cassar stood out on the day, with Soccer Action journalist Peter Desira acclaiming the defender's "...safe, early passing game, (then) tackling tenaciously and moving forward with the aplomb of a veteran."^[94]

The Falcons then went on to win the post-season State League Cup, defeating Fawkner 9–8 on penalties in the semi-final before claiming a 1–0 victory over Maribyrnong Polonia in the final.

Reynolds

O'Donnell

Bruns

Bingham

Nelson

McBride

Doyle

Cassar

Byrne

Basara

Wright

1989 Victorian Champions Starting XI

The Falcons entered the 1989 Victorian State League having finished the 1988 season in 10th position, 11 points behind league champions Heidelberg United - who were subsequently promoted to the National Soccer League. Seeking to make their move up the table, Falcons' president Don Di Fabrizio spearheaded an ambitious off-season recruiting drive of overseas talent.^[95]

The second and third placed teams of 1988 - St Albans and Croydon City - were widely expected to contend for the 1989 title but the Falcons shocked the football world to soar back into contention for the league title, largely thanks to the goals of Darko Basara (11 goals) and New Zealand international New Zealand international Billy Wright (eight goals) - with Northern Irish import Ron Manley proving an astute mid-season pick-up, grabbing six goals in 13 games. Popular captain Jim McBride also hit six goals in 28 games and club veteran Sean Byrne - who did not miss a game all season - added five of his own.

After a critical slip up by equal-first placed Brunswick Juventus on the penultimate day of the season, losing 2–1 to Northcote City, the Falcons moved a point clear heading into the final round thanks to a crucial 0–0 draw at home to Frankston Pines.

Holding to their league lead by a point, the Falcons needed only a win against Ringwood City in the final game of the season to ensure they would be crowned champions for the second time.

In one of the Falcons' finest ever displays, Manley began the rout in the 13th minute before Roy Walsh doubled the Falcons' advantage just before half-time. Wright all but sealed the championship with his effort two minutes after the break before captain Jim McBride sent the capacity crowd at North Crinigan Reserve into a frenzy by making it 4–0 in the final minute.

In October, Morwell had a barnstorming Dockerty Cup run, highlighted by a 2–0 victory over NSL club Footscray JUST - who fielded a star-studded team including Socceroos' trio Mehmet Durakovic, Oscar Crino and Joe Palatsides - in the quarter-finals at Heidelberg. However, the Falcons ran out of steam in the semi-finals, losing 5–0 to eventual runner-up Altona Gate.

Falcons 2000 has long prided itself on having girls and women's teams, with the club fielding teams in the metropolitan competition in the 1990s and early 2000s - known as the "Morwell Falcons Flyers" before later dropping the Flyers' moniker.^[128][129]

As soon as they were formed, the Falcons' women's team enjoyed immediate success in 1995, when they won that year's VWSA Lightning Premiership in Seaford. After winning their way through the group stage with victories over Yarraville and Clayton, the Falcons defeated Carringbush in the final on penalties 4–3 after the match finished 0-0.^[130]

The team featured Victorian representatives such as Kim Weeks and Amy Porter,^[131] with Porter named as the Hoar-Melvin Award winner in 1996 for being Victoria's most valuable junior state team player.^[132]

With the collapse of the Gippsland Falcons' professional men's team in 2001, then women's team was also disbanded and a team representing the "Gippsland Soccer League" took their place.^[133] However, the team continued playing in Eastern Pride's light blue kits.^[134]

A Falcons' women's team did not resume until 2008, when the Latrobe Valley Soccer League introduced a women's division for the first time. They played a solitary season in the LVSL finishing fourth - before resuming permanently from 2012.

In 2022, Falcons 2000's women's team won their first and so far only LVSL league title. In a remarkable season, Falcons went unbeaten throughout the year to claim their maiden women's trophy^[135][136] with Savannah Lapenta scoring 14 goals in 12 games to top the league's scoring charts.^[137][138]

Five-time club player of the year winner Sheedy Whadcoat was the first player to reach 200 women's games for the club, hitting the milestone in 2024,^[139] with Danica Di Ciero reaching the milestone in the same year.^[140]

With the Morwell Falcons national ambitions a near-constant topic of media conversation during the 1980s^[141] as they emerged as one of the dominant clubs of the Victorian State League, the club made the decision to add a Futsal club, which competed in the National Indoor Soccer League (known as the James Hardie National Indoor Soccer League for sponsorship purposes), a tournament which ran from 1987 to 1989.

Futsal was extremely popular in Gippsland during the 1970s and 1980s, leading to the decision to bring the AMF's Victorian State Championships to the Morwell Indoor Sports Centre (now known as Latrobe Leisure Morwell) in November 1985.^[142]

The popularity of the indoor game in the Latrobe Valley and desire to compete on the national stage gave birth to the Latrobe Valley Falcons - or the Valley Ford Falcons as they known as part of a sponsorship deal with Ford Australia - who joined the league for a solitary season in 1989–90.^[143] It would be the last season of the competition before it was wound up, owing to the withdrawal of major sponsor James Hardie.

Playing out of the Moe Indoor Sports Stadium (today known as Stadium 34) the Falcons were the league's only ever regional representative.

In their only season, the Falcons finished in sixth position in the 10 team competition.^[144] The club's top scorer was Anthony Cassar,^[145] himself a key player with the Morwell Falcons in both the State League and in their first National Soccer League campaign in 1991-92. Other notable players included former Falcons' players, such as Sasha Pavlovic, Rodney White, Nigel Browne and Eric Sostak.^[146]