Coniston were on the brink of extinction.
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An ill-fated stint in the Illawarra Premier League in 2013 was quickly followed by a rapid downward spiral.
Within two seasons they'd hit rock bottom, win-less at the foot of the region's second tier.
Short on cash, support and with a deteriorating home ground at JJ Kelly Park, they were desperate.
"At the time it was pretty nerve racking," Coniston president John Karayiannis reflects.
"If we didn't do well, the club would have folded.
"Knowing that our history was at stake, it was a tough position. We had to gather a lot of resources and belief that we could do it."
It quickly became clear Coniston needed a fresh start.
The club dropped its 'Lions' moniker, affiliated with it's juniors and began to rebuild from the Illawarra's third division - the Community League. Karayiannis would later call the process 'a blessing in disguise'.
"Crisis does stimulate motivation," he said.
"I was very inspired by the amount of people that I had never met who came back to support the club because of the crisis.
"Sometimes people get disappointed because they get relegated but it also offers an opportunity for you to consolidate, re-think and take stock again."
The change of strategy off the pitch coincided with a change of results on it.
Coniston earned promotion to the District League after claiming the Community League title in 2016 and set their sights on a return to the Illawarra's premier division.
That soon became a reality too.
On Saturday, Coniston will officially make their return to the top flight when they host Wollongong United at JJ Kelly Park.
It shapes as a monumental day for the club, which Karayiannis says is more than just about the football.
"Our vision is to be the destination club," he said.
"We don't just focus on winning games or getting players. We wanted to focus on the whole package.
"Supporters is a big thing. Looking after our sponsors and being community focused. We genuinely care about our juniors and businesses in the community.
"When it is genuine, people trust you and they get behind you.
"We believe that we need to be the best at everything we can possibly be. Whether that be, having a great field or having the best cevapi roll or having the best uniform or supporters.
"We know we aren't there yet but every year we get closer."
In other games, Wollongong Olympic will honour the legacy of clubwoman Androula Spyrou when they host Cringila on Saturday.
Fernhill play Woonona, Tarrawanna meet South Coast United while Corrimal versus Bulli was postponed.
Port Kembla will host the club's annual Pizza Day against Albion Park at Wetherall Park on Sunday.
