Cup Finals, Community League and Coniston — the quirky career of Franc Pierro
The Illawarra Premier League wasn’t on Franc Pierro’s mind when he joined Community League side Coniston midway through 2015. Three years on, the 25-year-old is potentially 90 minutes away from leading his club back into the top flight after a five-year absence.
“I had to focus on work commitments but I was still keen to play. I spoke with Willy [Alarcon] and John Karayiannas and I was wrapped up in the vision of the club and where they wanted to get too and what they wanted to achieve,” Pierro said.
“From where we were then to where we are now, it’s incredible and the journey has been pretty full on.”
The industrious midfielder came onto the scene with South Coast United in 2013 as a 20-year-old. Over the following two and half years he would notch up just over half a century of games across three clubs in United, Port Kembla and District League side Corrimal — featuring in multiple finals series and also the 2014 Bert Bampton Cup Final.
In his two and a half years at JJ Kelly Park, he has played upwards of 50 matches. In that time, he has helped the club achieve promotion back into the District League in 2016, before earning the captaincy in 2017 and then leading the side during their current campaign where they top the League with 18 wins from 20 matches.
Coniston are ahead of Bellambi by a single point with two rounds remaining with the sides facing off at Elizabeth Park on Saturday. Coniston are the only side to have beaten the Rosellas this season — a 2–1 win in Round 10 — and a repeat of that result would secure the club’s ticket to the top division.
Pierro is adamant despite their standing in the competition, his side are well aware any slip-ups will be punished. However, even after 100 matches in senior football, Pierro couldn’t restrain all of his eagerness to be involved in such a high-profile fixture.
“We will be tested this weekend, so it is all about staying focused. We have come too far to take our eye off the ball,” Pierro said.
“It would be a surreal way to write another chapter in my career as well as the club.”
The Round 21 match between Bellambi and Coniston kicks off at 3pm on Saturday at Elizabeth Park.
Update
Coniston went on to draw 1–1 with Bellambi before sealing the League Championship and promotion on the final day of the season with a 3–2 win over Helensburgh.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Pierro said after the Helensburgh match.
“It’s just been one hell of a journey and I can’t wait to get back in the Premier League.”
