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“You’ve Got to Give Back”: The FK Beograd President Shaping the Club’s Future

  • Author Author Kaleb
  • Publish date Publish date
  • Article read time Article read time 2 min read
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FK Beograd president Andrew Popovich shares his journey from player to president, his vision for youth development, and his hopes for the club’s future. The Woodville-based side, formerly known as White City Woodville, finished 4th in last season’s NPL South Australia.

Stepping Up for the Club He Loves​

“What inspired me to take on the role? Honestly, I was sort of roped into it!”
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FK Beograd president Andrew Popovich laughs as he recalls a lifetime with the club, from playing as a kid and coaching juniors to handling marketing, sponsorships, and eventually being “railroaded” into the top job.

He’s now held the role for 15 years.
“I just wanted to get the younger guys involved, people who love football, because it was time for a new generation to take over.”
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On the State of Football in Australia​

Popovich says not enough people are giving back to the game at the grassroots level. A problem that he feels affects the growth of the game, and the development of players.
“Not enough people give back. Everyone wants to know what they can get out of it — money, contracts — but few want to coach, cook BBQs, or help the club.
Football is a grassroots game. If people stop helping, it won’t die, but it’ll never reach the heights it should.”
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His Vision for FK Beograd​

Aiming for lofty height, Popovich’s focus has been on rebuilding the club’s foundations — literally.
“We’re renovating the old clubrooms, building new change rooms, improving lighting, and expanding to another venue for our juniors and women’s setup.”
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He says FK Beograd is modernising behind the scenes too, from point-of-sale systems to proper coaching structures. By investing in such items, FK Beograd can become a sustainable club, as well as an affordable one. Popovich feels that football should not be out of reach.
“We want to be self-sufficient, not rely on junior fees to fund seniors. We’d rather fill the stands, sell food, and get sponsors involved.”
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The Story of Frank Mitchell​

One of the club’s proudest stories is about Frank Mitchell, the man their ground is named after.
“Frank was a rugby guy who fell in love with our club. When he passed away, he left his house to us — worth $70,000 back then, now over $1.2 million.
We’re planning to build two homes on it and create the Frank Mitchell Foundation, our main sponsor forever.”
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Popovich said the foundation will carry on Mitchell’s generosity and keep his legacy tied to the club’s future. It's forward thinking from Popovich, and creates a way in the club is giving back to the community.

On the Club’s Identity​

“We were founded in 1949, one of the oldest clubs in South Australia. We’ve had players represent Australia, and people like Todd Clarke still fly in from Sydney to watch us.”
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Popovich said that while the club remains proud of its Serbian roots, it has grown into one of the most multicultural football clubs in the country. In severing a one nation image, Beograd affords itself the opportunity to unearth more talent, attract new sponsors, and grow the footballing landscape.
“Only 10–15% of our supporters are Serbian — the rest are from all backgrounds. We’re proud of that.”
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Developing Local Talent​

“We’ve got Michael Jakobsen, ex-A-League and Denmark international, working with our coaches and players.”
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The club is focused on building from the ground up, investing in community, facilities, and pathways that help young players develop beyond just football. As a leader, Popovich strongly feels the need to invest in the game at the ground level.
“We promote 15–16-year-olds to train with the U18s and reserves.
Only 1% of players make it pro, so our goal is to make FK Beograd a family-friendly, community club.”
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Parents and Player Development in Australia​

“In Europe, parents aren’t allowed near training, and I think that’s the way to go.
Everyone here talks about being Tier 1 or Tier 2, but there’s not enough focus on actual skills — crossing, heading, using both feet.”
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Despite wanting to keep a back room role, Popovich has his own ideas on football, and hopes to instil within his coaches and players a philosophy that brings back some fun into the game.
“Kids train more than ever but aren’t as technically strong. The old days had more flair — the game was more enjoyable to watch.”
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Young Players to Watch​

Popovich is proud of the young talent emerging through FK Beograd’s ranks and says the club’s focus on development is paying off.

He points to several promising players already making an impression:
  • Jordan Leane (17) – “Future A-League player.”
  • Zak Cosic (17) – “Exceptional talent.”
  • Alex Rusmir (17) – “Keeper already on Adelaide United’s radar — trained at FK Partizan in Serbia.”
  • Driton Sali (16) – “A natural goalscorer, definitely one to watch.”​
With a strong belief in the pathway system and promoting talent, Popovich has set his coaches a challenge to develop young players alogside the top team.
“We make sure our senior coaches blood 3–4 kids into the first team every year.”
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On the Australian Championship​

Asked about the prospect of competing nationally, Popovich’s ambition is clear.
“We’re keen. If we make the cut-off, we’ll go for it.
In the next two to three years, I believe we’ll be a top-two team.”
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A Passionate Football Man Through and Through​

From player to president, Andrew Popovich embodies what community football is all about.
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About author
Australia Football News!
Kaleb
Kaleb – Founder & Editor, Australia Football News

Kaleb is the founder and editor of Australia Football News, a platform dedicated to shining a light on Australian footballers at home and abroad. Passionate about uncovering stories that often go untold, he has interviewed players across Europe, Asia, and the A-League, helping connect Aussie fans with the world game.

📍 Based in ADELAIDE

🗞️ Follow on X: [@Footballfan2098]

Comments

D
Another good Fan View article. Not sure who conducted this one? I liked the question and answer format.

I was astonished Mikel Jakobsen, former Danish international and AL player has been a significant coach at the club. I thought he would have been after bigger money and been involved at AL level, gone back to Denmark, or somewhere that involved pro coaching.

In terms of staying around clubs and coaching which Andrew Popovich suggested, I thought I could have stayed coaching longer, but had a bad back at the time and needed a rest. It was nice not to have constant responsibility and formal commitment too, particularly after teaching for decades.

It was interesting that AP thought kids trained more now, but had less skill.
 
grazorblade
That was a great read!
I like how he emphasized that this is a grassroots game. We have spent 60 years neglecting grassroots trying to make the top more glamorous

if we spent 60 years on grassroots and have a participation rate of 3-6 million, football has a much firmer foundation

Really hope his team makes the championship, one way or another
 
LFC
great read of just 1 small old grass roots clubs that is begging for support and unity in our game.
Good luck to him wish him and the Club all the very best on improving and climbing higher and higher, not easy when we don't have much behind the scenes to support but yourselves.

Yes what he quoted D

“Kids train more than ever but aren’t as technically strong. The old days had more flair — the game was more enjoyable to watch.”

The robotic methods of today is turning the game into "vanilla" in more waays than 1 good observation made.

“In Europe, parents aren’t allowed near training, and I think that’s the way to go.
Everyone here talks about being Tier 1 or Tier 2, but there’s not enough focus on actual skills — crossing, heading, using both feet.”

Interesting quote again, in my young Club/Rep days @ training we always did corner practice.
We also played forwards vs backs/GK fine tuning attacks and the defense at the same time giving the GK's real time practice.
Heading was 1 to 1 - close first time passing 1 to 1 using both feet.

The man makes sense.
Again good luck FKB !
 
Australia Football News!
Decentric said:
Another good Fan View article. Not sure who conducted this one? I liked the question and answer format.

I was astonished Mikel Jakobsen, former Danish international and AL player has been a significant coach at the club. I thought he would have been after bigger money and been involved at AL level, gone back to Denmark, or somewhere that involved pro coaching.

In terms of staying around clubs and coaching which Andrew Popovich suggested, I thought I could have stayed coaching longer, but had a bad back at the time and needed a rest. It was nice not to have constant responsibility and formal commitment too, particularly after teaching for decades.

It was interesting that AP thought kids trained more now, but had less skill.
Click to expand...
I conducted this personally, he’s a top bloke and can’t wait to see where his club goes from here!
 
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LFC
ah well done AFN thanks again.
Welcome also - are you a professional scribe or its passion ?
Where can we view more of your work if anywhere ? importantly post them up here !
 
B
I remember this club from the nineteen sixties when the old " Soccer World" paper used to give reports from interstate competitions even though the paper was Sydney based.Great to see it has survived and that such a grassroots club is led by a real football man.
 
Australia Football News!
LFC said:
ah well done AFN thanks again.
Welcome also - are you a professional scribe or its passion ?
Where can we view more of your work if anywhere ? importantly post them up here !
Click to expand...
My
LFC said:
ah well done AFN thanks again.
Welcome also - are you a professional scribe or its passion ?
Where can we view more of your work if anywhere ? importantly post them up here !
Click to expand...
i post On this X (Twitter) and Instagram all under the same name..

 
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A
The Frank Mitchell story is great. I've played on the ground.
Fun fact: Beograd had to call themselves Belgrade in their first season. I'm glad they have reverted to the more familiar spelling.
 

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Kaleb
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