Surf Coast FC farewells club veterans

TWO stalwarts of the Surf Coast Football Club will hang up their boots at season’s end, with both playing their final games in front of the home supporters over the weekend.

Surf Coast FC club legend Tom Langman and champion Jasko Ikanovic will retire this year, the club confirmed, after more than a decade of combined service at Banyul-Warri Reserve.

Langman revealed the decision to step away from playing duties was one he decided with his family more than 12 months ago after joining the club in 2015.

“I felt at the time I probably had one more season in me, so I’ve known since the start of the season this would be my last,” he said.

“It’s probably really hit me in the past few weeks, especially after the highs of last week winning the league and promotion.

“While the result this past Saturday probably didn’t mean as much, it was the perfect way to farewell the club supporters and get a big win in the process.”

Langman has played 151 senior games in his tenure at the club, contributing 28 goals.

Now splitting his playing time between the seniors and reserves teams, Langman said the struggles keeping up with the demands of semi-professional football were increasing, but he would remain connected with the club moving forward.

“While I won’t be playing or coaching from here, I’ll definitely be connected to the club.

“I find a lot more players are coming to Surf Coast FC, not just for its location anymore, but for its culture as well. The club has built a wonderful culture over the years.

“I’m still on the committee, but we’ll find out how that pans out at the next AGM, because at the end of the day I still want to continue driving the club forward.”

For Ikanovic, who joined in 2021, he has played 62 senior games with 49 goals during that time.

Langman also mentioned on Ikanovic’s contributions to the club since his arrival, saying he had grown a wonderful friendship with him over the past three years and was appreciative of the passion he had brought to Torquay.

Surf Coast FC has one game remaining in State League 4 West before taking part in the State League 4 regional playoffs.

The seniors secured promotion to State League 3 last weekend for the first time in 14 years.