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The origins of the Mt Gravatt Soccer Club
were formulated over 45 years ago in 1960 in the booming
post-war era southern suburbs, attracting players from
around not only the Mt Gravatt district, but also other
neighbouring and growing suburbs. The establishment of a
local soccer club provided an outlet through sporting
activity to the many young players on the southside,
previously denied activity due to rapid urban development
and lack of public transport.
Due to the foresight of the Clubs foundation members,
many talented local players have become engaged in this
rewarding endeavour, namely soccer. The aims of the club
then and now, are premised upon developing players both
in the skill of the game and general life skills learnt
in a team activity.
The club in its infancy firstly assumed residence within
the environs of the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, but as the
years passed the popularity for soccer grew and the
subsequent attraction of players to Mt Gravatt increased
rapidly, the club made the decision to seek more
extensive and accommodating surroundings and relocated to
the current grounds at Dittmer Park Klumpp Rd.
Mt Gravatt Soccer Club has thrived and succeeded over the
past 45 years based on the established traditions of
catering to junior development, fostering many past and
current players to attain their goal of representation at
the highest level in their chosen sport.
Mt Gravatt Soccer Club is highly recognised as a quality
stable that possesses a pedigree in the development of
junior players who regularity attain Regional, State and
National selection and esteemed honour.
The First 10 Years
(extracted from the Mt.
Gravatt
Soccer Club Year Book 69)
Early
in the year 1960 the management committee of the Mt. Gravatt Youth and
Recreation Club decided to promote soccer in Mt. Gravatt.
Charlie.
Giant, one of the founders of the Youth Club, was given the responsibility of
trying to organise a soccer section within the club.
Advertisements
were placed in the "Truth" and "Southside News" in February,
1960, calling for boys interested to turn up at show grounds.
The
grand total of three boys arrived on the day at the duly appointed time, Risto
Salo, Bob McKenzie and Jim Johnson. Jim, as an eight year old, played in the 14
team to start and then changed to U12 when the second team was formed.
Three
men also arrived and introduced themselves. They were Roy Johnson, Jack Cranney
and Noel Brown. It was agreed to pursue the matter further and to turn up the next
Sunday morning and in the interim to try and interest more boys.
Contact
was made with schools and announcements made, and on the following Sunday, the
four stalwarts turned up again and this time fourteen boys. So the first team
was formed and although some heavy defeats were inflicted on the pioneers, they
lived to play another day.
At
this stage the club was known as the "Mountain Rangers” and was not
changed to Mt. Gravatt Junior Soccer Club until 1962. Nineteen sixty-two was
the year the club recorded its first Trophy win, when our U15 team won the
Redlands Ambulance Day Trophy.
The
club continued to grow and was managed by a handful of willing workers. Mr.
Charles Grant held the position of Chairman until owing to ill health he
declined office. He was then appointed President (Life appointment). Mr. A
Petersen took over as chairman of the club starting the year 1964 and holding
this position until 1969 when he declined office at the election of officers
for our combined junior and senior club.
Mr.
John Quinn who became President was no newcomer, he had been with the club
since the first year and he was the first delegate from Mt. Gravatt
to Brisbane Junior Soccer Association. He also held the position of Secretary
for a number of years.
Mr. Nev Forknall and Mr. Jack Cranney were active
members with early meetings held at the home of Mr. and Mr's. Forknall.
The
club gave considerable consideration as to the future of junior players with
our club after they reached eighteen years of age. It was decided in 1965 to try
and enter senior football, and we were advised by the federation we would have
to come in in the sixth division.
It
came to notice that the "Excelsior" Club, based at Stone's Corner,
was struggling and it was felt that with an injection of assistance from our
club a working arrangement could be made which was subsequently carried out by
our representatives, Mr. Charlie Grant and Mr. John Quinn.
It
was pleasing to note that the club's fourth division team won the Premiership
and as a result were promoted to third division in 1966. The secretary that
year being Mr. Paul Jones.
1966
- Our first year as an affiliated Club with Mt. Gravatt Youth Club, and club
members accepted the responsibility of handling their own affairs with
enthusiasm.
The
senior team changed name from Mt. Gravatt Excelsior to Mt.
Gravatt Soccer Club. Another first in this year, Mt. Gravatt Youth Club entered
a team in Ladies competition, made up of young ladies from their basketball and
softball teams.
1967-
Clairvaux College came into competition soccer
starting with one team and a lot of help from Mt. Gravatt Junior Soccer Club.
They had five teams playing this year confirming the wisdom of that early assistance.
The first news letters were compiled this year with Mr. and Mrs. Gustavson, Mr.
Hamilton and Mrs. Dickson handling all details.
During
1967 the club was to lose its founder. Charlie Grant's death occurred in the
midst of the season on Saturday, 8th July. After cheering Third division boys
on he returned to his car and died at the wheel. It was gratifying to see the
third division tean of this year promoted to second division its Charlie had
made the senior teams his special interest in the latter years.
Mr.
Quinn was appointed first life member of the club and presented with a badge
early in 1968.
Owing
to the club's growth and the need for promoting soccer a publicity committee was
formed in February, 1969, with regular meetings being held. In April, our first
field day proved a complete success with under 8A winning their Round Robin Tournament.
With
the combination of senior and junior clubs came a newly elected management
committee which met for their first meeting in June 69.
Our
original player, Jim Johnson, was picked to play in Queensland Colts squad.
We
have finished the first decade of soccer in Mt. Gravatt
with promising results for the next 10 years.
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