History of Sunshine Coast Football

The first recorded game of association football on the then North Coast was played at Palmwoods between teams from Palmwoods and Buderim on Saturday 31 July 1920.[1] The Palmwoods team was captained by Eddie Daniels and the Buderim team by Ernest Middleton. It's unclear where the game was played; the match report refers to the Palmwoods School of Arts end: "Palmwoods won the toss and defended the School of Arts end … ". The small Palmwoods School of Arts was located on Montville Road and was replaced by the current Palmwoods Memorial Hall in Main Street in 1922.[2][3] It seems likely that the game was played at the current Palmwoods Sports & Recreation Reserve on the Palmwoods-Montville Road. Mr W Browne or possibly Brown was the referee.[1][4] The final score was a 2–0 win to Palmwoods; the goal scorers being Eddie Daniels and E Renouf.[1]

A return game between Buderim and Palmwoods was played at Buderim on Saturday 7 August 1920 with Buderim winning 5 – 4.[5] It appears the Palmwoods team and supporters travelled via the now defunct Palmwoods-Buderim tramway.[1] Wilf Bratton, who would tour New Zealand with the first Australian team in 1922 and debut for Australia (as official Socceroo Cap Number 12) in Wellington in June 1922, played for Palmwoods.[4][6] As both teams had each won a game, a deciding game was played at Palmwoods on Saturday, 21 August.[5] The deciding game was won by Buderim 3–2.[7]

These Palmwoods-Buderim friendly games sparked interest in association football in other districts of the North Coast and prompted formation of the North Coast Football Association (NCFA) at a meeting at Palmwoods on Saturday 9 April 1921.[8][9] It was agreed that Palmwoods would be the NCFA's temporary headquarters.[10] The first committee[8][9] comprised:

• Patron – Mr JF Power
• President – Captain JT Tennent or Tennant (Mapleton)[11]
• Senior Vice-President – Mr LF Baldry (North Arm)
• Honorary Secretary/Treasurer – Mr WJ Forde (Buderim)

At this time 4 clubs were affiliated with the NCFA – Buderim, Mapleton, North Arm and Palmwoods.[8]

On Labor Day (8 Hour Day) 3 May 1921, after only 2 friendly fixtures had been played in the newly established NCFA competition, a North Coast representative team played a Brisbane Division 2 representative side at the Brisbane Cricket Ground as part of the Country Carnival.[12][13] The originally selected North Coast team was: Daniels, Bratten, Stemp, Cutcliffe (possibly Cutmore), Newberry, Pack, Jensen, Williams, Bendall, Middleton, Sorenson; Reserves: Bycroft, Miller.[12]

The team changed again following an NCFA committee meeting on Saturday, 30 April at Tapper's Rooms (W Tapper was an auctioneer[14]) in Palmwoods:[9]

• Buderim – A Bendall, G Newbery (possibly Newberry or Newbury), E Middleton (Captain), A Irnoen, N Sorensen, H Stemp
• Mapleton – F Moon, S Pack, J Simpson, G Cutmore
• Palmwoods – Eddie Daniels (Vice-Captain)
• Manager – WJ Forde (Buderim)

As The Telegraph newspaper noted, whilst the North Coast team was soundly beaten 7–2 (it was 3–0 at half-time[15]) they "put up an exceedingly creditable performance".[13] The team which played appears to have been different to that originally selected:[15][16] C Moon (goalkeeper), W Jensen, S Pack, S Newberry (possibly Newbury), J Sorenson, H Henry, Eddie Daniels, Cutmore (Captain),[11] J Simpson, Middleton, Bendall. Goalscorers for the North Coast were J Simpson and the second was a "beautiful cross-shot" by left-winger Bendall.[17][15] The North Coast team played in white.[15][9]

Some newspaper reports suggested some members of the North Coast team appeared to be new to the game;[16][13][18] this was definitely true in the case of goalkeeper C Moon who was a convert from rugby league.[15][19] History would repeat itself 47 years later in 1968 when the Caloundra Rugby League club, on being denied entry to North Coast Rugby League decided to play "soccer".[20]

Many of the North Coast players were from a dairying background so after the morning milking had to rush to the nearest railway station to get to Brisbane for the game, and leave straight after the game to get home, hopefully in time for the evening milking. One player rode many miles on horseback to get to nearest railway station and didn't arrive home until 6:00 am the morning after the game.[19]

1921, the first official season of the NCFA commenced with 4 teams – Palmwoods, Buderim, Mapleton and North Arm [9] The first official fixtures were played on Saturday 14 May with Palmwoods at home to Buderim and Mapleton at home to North Arm. Mapleton played their first home game at the Mapleton School of Arts grounds.[9] These grounds on Obi Obi Road still exist today as the Mapleton Community Hall Sports Ground.

The results (and goalscorers) of the first official fixtures played on the North Coast under the auspices of the NCFA were:[21][22]

• Palmwoods 2 (Williams, R Robinson) – Buderim 3 (Bendall, Middleton, Sid Newberry)
• Mapleton 0 – North Arm 2 (Clark, Unknown). This game was refereed by the President of the NCFA, Captain Tennant.[22]

The inaugural NCFA premiers were North Arm who were unbeaten, winning 7 and drawing 1 of their 8 games whilst scoring 33 goals and conceding just 3.[23] Buck scored 21 of North Arm's goals. The match report for North Arm's 1–1 draw with Mapleton A on Saturday 6 August which clinched them the premiership, is revealing. Firstly, the clubs had developed nicknames mainly based on their colours:

• North Arm – the Blues
• Mapleton – the Maroons
• Palmwoods – the Tigers

Secondly, towards the end of the season Palmwoods were struggling to field a full team, travelling to Mapleton to play Mapleton B 2 players short. In the inaugural season Mapleton A finished 2nd and Palmwoods 3rd.[23] Palmwoods were the only side to score twice against the premiers North Arm and the only team to score against North Arm at their home ground.

Thirdly, this was a rough game. Three North Arm forwards were "laid out" in the first 30 minutes with the Fox brothers (JR & TA Fox) being "laid out" twice in the first 16 minutes and Buck breaking 2 ribs in a collision in the 30th minute.[23]

Fourthly, this game confirmed the emergence of Jack White who had an "outstanding" game in defence for North Arm.[23] White was to go on and play for Queensland (in 1923) and for Australia against New Zealand (as official Socceroo Cap Number 20) in Brisbane in June 1923.[6]

In late-August 1921 North Coast representative teams played teams from Brisbane at the Nambour Showgrounds in front of a crowd of about 250.[24] North Coast B was beaten 2–0 by Brisbane B whilst North Coast A was beaten 4–0 by Brisbane A.[24] At the after-game dinner it was revealed that a "prominent Nambour gentleman" would award a silver cup to the winner of the North Coast competition from the 1922 season.[25] The North Coast teams[24] which played Brisbane teams in August 1921 were:

North Coast B (Colours – Two Blues[26]) Played Brisbane B in August 1921 at Nambour Showgrounds

North Coast A (Colours – Red[26]) Played Brisbane A in August 1921 at Nambour Showgrounds

In September Corinthians Soccer Football team (from Brisbane) played a combined Buderim–Palmwoods team at Buderim and were beaten 3–2. The referee was Mr T Hurford.[27]

There were some encouraging developments in 1921. Firstly, the Mapleton club was warmly embraced by the local community and signed 26 players, enabling it to field 2 teams in NCFA competitions.[9] The two Mapleton teams, A & B played each other at Mapleton on Saturday 11 June with Mapleton A winning a "hard" game 1 – 0.[28] Secondly, E Middleton, Buderim's captain offered to donate a cup provided 6 clubs competed.[9] Thirdly, Mr J Power (of Mapleton), the Patron of the NCFA donated a silk pennant to be awarded to the winning club and the NCFA agreed to present gold medals to players from the winning club.[29] Finally, teams from Beerwah, Nambour and Glasshouse Mountains expressed an interest in joining the competition in 1922.[30]

In March 1922 the Beerburrum Soccer Club was formed and joined the North Coast Football Association (NCFA). Mr H Beacroft was the inaugural Secretary.[31]

In March the Buderim Club unanimously agreed to re-form the club. It was also agreed that a series of practice games be played at "Mr G Burnett's ground near the station". The elected office-bearers were:[32]

• Patron – SJ Hood
• President & Captain – A Jensen
• Vice-Captain – E Middleton
• Secretary – AC Bendall
• Selection Committee – AC Bendall, E Middleton & A Jensen

In March it was reported the NCFA had received nominations for the upcoming season from 6 teams – Mapleton (2 teams), North Arm, Palmwoods, Beerburrum and Buderim. A nomination was also expected from a Nambour team.[33] In late-March the Buderim club reported that healthy player numbers meant it would be able to field 2 teams, an A-grade and B-grade, in NCFA competitions.[34] Fixtures commenced in April with 5 teams – Beerburrum, Buderim, Mapleton, North Arm and Palmwoods.[35]

In April the NCFA decided to initiate a B-grade competition comprising teams from: Buderim, North Arm, Mapleton and Beerburrum. The NCFA also discussed moving representative games from Nambour to Buderim, Palmwoods or Beerburrum due to "sparse attendances".[36]

The North Coast representative team participated in the Country Carnival at the Brisbane Cricket Ground on May 1 (May Day/Labor Day). This "Soccer" Carnival brought together the best players in Queensland and gave them the opportunity to be selected in the first ever Australian team which would tour New Zealand from May to July.[37][38] The originally selected team to play Toowoomba was as follows,[36][39] however, for the first time ever North Coast players (J White and Buck) were selected in the Country team to play Metropolis:[40][41]

• Goalkeeper – A Wardlaw (North Arm)
• Backs – S Pack (Mapleton), T Rae (Mapleton)
• Half-Backs – J White (North Arm), F Flynn (Buderim), Miller (Beerburrum)
• Forwards – Jack Cutmore (Mapleton), Moorcroft (Beerburrum), Wilf Bratten (Montville), Buck (North Arm), AC Bendall (Buderim)
• Reserves – Rex Robinson (Palmwoods), Jock Simpson (Mapleton), J Wardlaw (North Arm), E Middleton (Buderim)

The North Coast beat an understrength Toowoomba 7–0 (3–0 at half-time) with the goalscorers being Moorecroft (3), Bratten (2) and Simpson (2).[40][42][43][44] The North Coast team was nicknamed "the dairy farmers" by the newspapers due to the large number of dairy farmers and dairy workers in the team.[45][43] Wilf Bratten was 1 of 8 Queensland players selected in the first ever Australian team that would tour New Zealand.[46]

In October the North Arm played a friendly against the newly formed Kenilworth team, beating them 4–2.[47]

In February 1923 the annual meeting of the Buderim club was held at the Buderim School of Arts.[48] The elected office-bearers were:

• Captain – Mr S Anderson
• Vice-Captain – Mr E Middleton
• President – Mr D Campbell
• Secretary & Treasurer – Mr J Will

The annual meeting of the North Coast Football Association (NCFA) was held in March at Geddes Cafe in Nambour. Mr G Gosling (Nambour) was voted in as the new president and Mr Egerton (Palmwoods) as the new Secretary. A vote of thanks was passed unanimously thanking the outgoing President Mr Tennant (Mapleton).[49]

In March following 2 meetings at the Commercial Hotel the Nambour club was formed. The committee comprised: SJ Hobson, B Bycroft, G Gosling, E Wells (acting Secretary) and W Hitchings. Mr G Gosling, the owner of the Commercial Hotel offered to donate a ball to the new club, whilst arrangements were made to secure "Mr Donaldson's paddock" for training and Nambour Showgrounds for matches.[50][51]

In late March the NCFA admitted the newly formed Kenilworth club.[52] At the same meeting, the NCFA Vice-President, Mr J Power was thanked for donating the Power Cup to the competition.[52]

6 clubs competed for the Power Challenge Cup including the newly formed Nambour club – Buderim, Beerburrum, Kenilworth, Mapleton, Nambour and North Arm.[53] The Telegraph newspaper described Beerburrum as "the most progressive Soccer club on the North Coast" noting that they were "...the only club with goal nets, handy dressing sheds, and equally handy refreshment facilities".[53] In addition, Beerburrum had a management committee that met weekly.[53]

In a first-round game North Arm defeated Nambour 12–1.[54] It was subsequently discovered that W Allison was still registered with his Brisbane club, Caledonians and not a registered North Arm player. The Queensland Football Association deducted 2 points from North Arm and awarded them to Nambour.[55] North Arm appealed the decision.[56]

Details are lacking but North Arm won the 1923 premiership [57] (and the newly minted Power Cup); their 3rd premiership in a row . However Mapleton protested against North Arm being awarded the 1923 Power Cup for undisclosed reasons, and this required NCFA intervention.[58] A North Arm shopkeeper, Mrs AE Plint, also awarded the team a silver cup.[59]

In April 1923 it was announced that Mr LA Robinson of the Ocean View Hotel, Mapleton had donated a cup, to be called the Robinson Charity Cup. The Robinson Charity Cup was played after the completion of Power Cup (premiership) fixtures.[60][61] The inaugural Robinson Charity Cup Final was played on Saturday 6 October between North Arm and Mapleton at the Nambour Showgrounds with North Arm winning 2–0. All proceeds from the game were donated to "Hospital funds".[62][63]

In May in a match report of the Buderim-North Arm game won by North Arm 5–0, The Telegraph newspaper revealed Buderim's nickname and team colours – the "dark blues".[64]

In February 1924 the annual meeting of the North Coast Football Association (NCFA) was held at Wells Cafe, Nambour.[68] The meeting described the 1923 season, which included hosting a game between the North Coast representative side and New Zealand at the Nambour Showgrounds, as "the most successful" in the history of North Coast soccer. The meeting noted the 1923 season comprised 8 clubs and 169 registered players:

• 1. Beerburrum – 32 players
• 2. Nambour – 26
• 3. Kenilworth – 24
• 4. Mapleton – 21
• 5. Kidaman (Creek) – 18
• 6. North Arm – 18
• 7. Obi Obi – 15
• 8. Buderim – 15

Despite strong registration numbers in 1923, Beerburrum, Kidaman (Creek) and Nambour did not enter teams in 1924. A new club Mooloolah, which absorbed several players from Beerburrum, entered a team for the first time in 1924.[8] An official B-Grade competition was formed.[8]

6 clubs participated in the A-Grade competition – Buderim, Kenilworth, Mapleton, Mooloolah, North Arm and Obi Obi.[69]

In their first season Obi Obi won both the A-Grade (Power Cup) and B-Grade (winning the inaugural Secretary's Cup) premierships, with North Arm retaining the Robinson Charity Cup.[8][70] The gate money from the Robinson Charity Cup was divided between the new Nambour Hospital and the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB).[70]

At the North Coast Soccer Association annual meeting in March 1925 at the White Rose Cafe, Nambour,[71] the following officials were elected:[70]

• Patron – Mr JF Power
• President – Mr SJ Hobson
• Honorary Secretary & Treasurer – Mr AG Eggleton
• Vice-Presidents – Mr JF Baldry, Mr T Cheetham, Mr LA Robinson, Mr AW Thynne, Mr JF Tennant (possibly Tennant)

6 clubs competed in A-Grade for the Power Cup – Buderim, Kenilworth, Mapleton, Mooloolah, North Arm and Obi Obi,[72] although it appears that Kenilworth withdrew from the competition during the season due to "travelling such long distances ...".[73]

At a March meeting of the Buderim club, it was agreed the previous season's club colours of royal blue and white be retained for the 1925 season.[74]

There were moves to form a club in Pomona following the withdrawal of the local rugby league team from North Coast Rugby League.[75]

In July 1925 "Wire Tapper" published an ode to Sid Pack, a Mapleton player in the Nambour Chronicle & North Coast Advertiser:[76]

Odious Odes to North Coast Soccer Celebrities – S Pack (Mapleton)

by "Wire Tapper"

When clearing his lines, and calling "back-up,"

He prosecutes soccer with vigour and zest,

He's a glutton for work, and never gives up,

But labours unceasing, with never a rest,

To term him courageous is no idle kid,

For the heart of a lion is embedded in Sid.

The North Arm club did not re-form for the 1926 season.[77][78]

In early-May employees of the Noosa Shire Council working on the Cooroy-Tewantin road formed the Cooroy Soccer Club with Mr P Peters being elected president and Mr C Wheatley Honorary Secretary.[79] Cooroy entered the NCFA A-Grade competition and played some of their home games at Tewantin Recreation Reserve.[80]

6 clubs contested the Power Cup and Robinson Charity Cup competitions – Buderim, Cooroy, Kenilworth, Mapleton, Mooloolah and Obi Obi.[78]

Kenilworth won the premiership (Power Cup).[81]

The Robinson Charity Cup Final between Cooroy and Buderim was delayed a week when the lorry transporting the Buderim team to the game broke down.[82] The Cup was eventually won by Cooroy 1–0.[83]

In May 1927 a club was formed at Eumundi, with Mr AC Smith elected as president and Mr P Perrett as secretary.[84] Some of the Eumundi players (Buck, A Wardlaw) had played for the defunct North Arm club.[85]

In May the Mapleton club was re-formed; Mr C Hassett was elected captain and Mr JH Rosser secretary.[86]

Mapleton were unbeaten premiers (Power Cup).[87]

By the 1928 season the number of teams competing for the Power Cup had fallen to 5 – Buderim, Cooroy, Kenilworth, Kin Kin, Mapleton (unbeaten 1927 Premiers (Power Cup winners)).[87]

Mapleton won the Robinson Charity Cup (referred to erroneously as the Robertson Cup) knock-out competition beating Kenilworth 2–0 at the Obi Obi grounds. The goal scorers for Mapleton were Bratton (misspelt as Bratten) with a penalty and Moon. Jack Cutmore Senior was the referee.[88]

A soccer team was formed in Maleny and played games against Obi Obi and Kidaman Creek.[89][90]

The president of the Association was Ernest Middleton.[91]

In March 1930 a soccer team was formed at Glasshouse Mountains.[92]

The Buderim club was re-formed and it appears there was a competition between clubs from "Beerwah to North Arm".[93][94]

Obi Obi-Kenilworth defeated Amamoor 2–0 in the Charity Cup (presumably the Robinson Charity Cup); the goalscorers being J Burrows and P Campbell.[95]

The Glasshouse Football Club didn't affiliate with the North Coast Football Association or play in its competitions, but regularly played games against Brisbane opposition on a social basis. The last game of the season was against a team of Brisbane referees. Mr Ross, the President of the Brisbane Referee's Association presented the local club with the ball used in the Australia-New Zealand test match played in June at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground, and won by Australia 4 – 2.[96][97]

The Glasshouse Soccer Football Club continued to play social games against Brisbane clubs. In April 1935 Glasshouse suffered "the worst defeat in the history of the club", beaten 9–1 by United Rangers (of Brisbane). The goal scorer for Glasshouse was SJ Collings.[98]

There is no evidence from newspapers of the time that the North Coast Football Association and its competition still exist.

The Glasshouse Mountains Rangers Soccer Football Club continued to play against Brisbane teams on what appeared to be a social basis.[118] The club's annual report showed that Glasshouse Mountains had played 16 games for the season, winning 4, drawing 5, losing 7 whilst scoring 30 goals and conceding 44. The leading scorers were Norm Wilson 7 and George Pike 6.[119]

The Glasshouse Mountains Soccer Football Club annual ball was well-attended "notwithstanding a number of young men being away on war duties".[120] Trophies were presented to:

• Most Improved Senior – Mr W Hoyle
• Most Unselfish Player – Mr George Morgan
• Most Consistent Senior – Mr Jack Morgan
• Most Consistent Junior ("F Shaw" Trophy) – Mr Dick Gowen
• Most Improved Junior ("CE Bourke" Trophy) – Mr H Proctor

In August 1949 Mr JC Watson of Nambour put a notice in the Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser seeking interest in starting up Association Football (Soccer) in the district.[121]

In early-1968 the Caloundra rugby league team was training in preparation for entry into North Coast Rugby League (NCRL) competitions. However, when their 2 delegates, Bob Hartley and Bruce Brinkley, arrived back from a special meeting of the NCRL in Nambour they had bad news; the NCRL would not accept Caloundra into its competitions. They decided to play soccer, Caloundra Soccer Club was formed[122] and organised football was revived on the North Coast after a more than 30-year hiatus.

Hartley and Brinkley managed to form a team in the Woombye area, and within a few weeks the first game played between Woombye and Caloundra, although it is unclear where this game was played. These games continued every Sunday, alternating between Henzell Park (Caloundra) and the Woombye Sportsground.

The North Coast Soccer Association was formed soon afterwards, comprising:

• President – Jock Graham, a Woombye shopkeeper, who had a significant role in forming the Woombye club
• Secretary – Nigel Grey, who was also Secretary of the Caloundra club
• Treasurer – Clive Fenn, a Caloundra jeweller, who was also Treasurer of the Caloundra club

With only 2 clubs it was difficult to start a competition. Caloundra had very good numbers, many of whom came from the Maroochydore area. Under the guidance of the Caloundra committee, these players plus some from Caloundra formed the Maroochydore club. A few weeks later, Jim and Peter Nicopoulos from Beerwah were at Caloundra watching the Caloundra – Woombye game. They were immediately recruited to play for Caloundra. After several weeks playing for Caloundra, Jim and Peter were asked if there were any more players in the Beerwah-Glasshouse area. The following Sunday, Jim and Peter turned up to Maroochydore with 15 players, and the Beerwah-Glasshouse United team was formed. The Beerwah-Glasshouse United team was formed before the club was formed on 31 July 1968.

In 1970 Woombye won its first trophies in senior football including a clean sweep of the A Grade trophies on offer:

• President's Shield
• Clive Fenn Cup (defeating Caloundra 8–0 in the final with Charlie Rocker scoring 6 goals)
• Ambulance Cup
• Premiership
• Grand final/Championship

The only trophies to elude Woombye were the inaugural Reserve Grade premiership and championship (for winning the grand final) which were both won by Caboolture.

Following Woombye's dominance of the 1970 season, Beegees appointed Graham Dann as captain-coach and recruited his brother Ray and cousin Kevin Dann from St Helens United club in Ipswich. Later in the season John Haswell would also be recruited from St Helens United. Ray Dann won the inaugural Charlie Rocker memorial award for the highest scorer in then North Coast football with at least 17 goals (this may be an underestimate as records are incomplete).

The 1971 grand finals were played on Sunday 19 September at Glasshouse Mts Sportsground. Beerwah-Glasshouse United (by now nicknamed Beegees) were represented in 6 grand finals and won all of them:[126]

• Under 9 – Beegees 1 – Henzell Park Rangers 1 after extra time, Beegees won 6 – 5 on penalties
• Under 10 – Beegees 1 – Maroochydore 0
• Under 11 – Beegees 0 – Caloundra 0 after extra time, Beegees won 4 – 3 on penalties
• Under 13 – Beegees 1 – Caloundra 0
• Under 16 – Beegees 5 – Caloundra 0
• A Grade – Beegees 2 – Woombye 0

In the A Grade grand final the Graham Dann captain-coached Beegees were hot favourites after winning the premiership and going through the regular season undefeated.[126] Goalscorers for Beegees were John Haswell and Kevin Dann. Beegees dominated the game to such an extent that the player of the grand final was Woombye defender Mac Townson.[127] This was Beegees 2nd grand final (championship) victory.[128]

In 1972 the Sunshine Coast Soccer Association admitted 3 new clubs; Redcliffe (seniors), Buderim (juniors) and Maleny (juniors). These new clubs brought the total number of teams to 43 including for the first time in the modern era 6 senior teams following the 'surprise' inclusion of Redcliffe.[129] Woombye fielded 2 senior teams, Woombye White who would go through the season as undefeated Premiers, and Woombye Blue who won 1 game and the wooden spoon.

There were some lopsided scores in seniors with Woombye Blue and Maroochydore both forfeiting games and conceding a lot of goals. In their Round 2 game against Woombye White, Maroochydore were beaten 15–0.[130]

In 1974 the Sunshine Coast Soccer Association admitted 3 new clubs; Nambour Reds (seniors and juniors), Mapleton Rangers (juniors) and Noosa River (juniors). The inclusion of these clubs took the total number of junior and senior teams to 55 (an increase of 12 from 1973[132]) and as the local press noted, this was about the same number as rugby league.[132]

Nambour Reds, based at Yandina Sports Grounds, entered 2 senior teams (A Grade and Reserve Grade) and a junior team. Nambour Reds, as their name suggests, were based on Liverpool F.C. and wore an all "flame-red" strip.[133] They were led by Ray DeCourcy (President) and Bill Saunders (Captain-Coach). By fielding 2 senior teams Nambour Reds helped to revive the Reserve Grade competition after a 2-year break. They met with early success with their A-Grade side being unbeaten after 7 rounds and leading the competition until late-July before player losses and injuries pushed them into a 4th-place finish. In the minor semi-final they were beaten 6–1 by Caloundra, the defending Premiers and Champions.[134] The A Grade won the Clive Fenn Cup beating Woombye 2–1 in the final. The Reserve Grade side did even better winning the Premiership-Championship double, beating Caboolture 3–1 in the grand final[135] and winning the Tarax Shield.

Mapleton Rangers were formed in March 1974[136] and played in purple shirts, white shorts and white socks. Mapleton's home ground was the Mapleton Sports Ground, where the Mapleton sides of the 1920s and 30s had played. Mapleton fielded 2 junior teams (Under 10's and Under 14's).

Noosa River was formed in July 1973 and fielded 4 junior teams in 1974 (Under 8's, Under 10's, Under 12's and Under 14's).[137] Noosa River played in brown and gold jerseys and due to a lack of grounds played their home games at Jack Morgan Park, Coolum.[138][139] Due to their homeground being located at Coolum, they were referred to as Noosa-Coolum in local newspapers. The inaugural president was John Hines.[138]

The Redcliffe senior team dropped out of the A Grade competition after 4 rounds of 1974; the initial 6-team competition of 1974 became 5 teams in 1975. In 1976 the Sunshine Coast Soccer Association (SCSA) admitted 2 new clubs to A Grade making it a 7-team competition; Bribie Island & curiously Margate (after the Redcliffe experiment had been so disastrous). The other A Grade clubs were Beerwah-Glasshouse United, Caloundra, Maroochydore, Nambour Reds & Woombye.

In 1976 the SCSA also admitted 3 new teams to the Reserve Grade competition; Noosa River, Coolum (a new club) & National Park Rovers (a new club based in Nambour). Noosa River were undefeated in winning the Reserve Grade premiership, but were beaten in the grand final 1–0 by a young National Park Rovers team. Goalscorer for National Park Rovers was Michael Ball. This would be National Park Rovers only title in their short existence.

In June 1976 Beegees were top of the A-Grade table; the only points dropped had been a home loss to Woombye in Round 8. The captain-coach was Alan McMaster, a wily and as hard-as-nails central defender hailing from Northern Ireland. McMaster had lived and worked locally for the past 3 years and had been part of Beegees grand final winning teams in 1974 (beating Woombye 3–2 after extra time) and 1975 (beating Maroochydore 4–2). In late-June Beegees beat Margate 9–2 to keep their premiership hopes on track. Tragically, driving back from Margate McMaster was badly injured in a car accident and transferred to Royal Brisbane Hospital. After a brave fight McMaster's life support system was turned off on Friday, 2 July 1976. As a mark of respect all clubs observed a minutes silence and wore black arm bands at their next fixtures. The young Beegees team easily won the premiership, but it all fell apart during the 1976 finals. A 4–2 major semi-final loss to Maroochydore was followed by a 1–0 preliminary final loss to Woombye as Beegees crashed out of the finals. Maroochydore won their first grand final and the 1976 championship by beating Woombye 2–0 in the grand final at Glasshouse in front of more than 2,000 spectators.[140] Goalscorers for Maroochydore were Milton Hasthorpe and Trevor Jones.[140]

In June 1977 FC Traisa visited Queensland and played games against Brisbane and Sunshine Coast opposition. They beat Brisbane First Division club Southside Eagles, who have German heritage, 5–2 the weekend before they took on a Sunshine Coast representative side.[141] On an "extremely cold night" at Glasshouse Mountains Sports Ground and in front of more than 1,000 spectators, FC Traisa defeated the Sunshine Coast 5–3. Goalscorers for the Sunshine Coast were Ken McClean (2) and Steve Dobinson.[142]

The Sunshine Coast Soccer Association reported a total of 72 affiliated teams for the 1977 season including 57 junior teams and 15 senior teams.[143]

In June 1978 Noosa opened their new grounds at Sir Thomas Hiley Park, Tewantin with a full day of junior and senior fixtures culminating in the A Grade game between Noosa and Caloundra.[144] The A Grade game ended in a 3–3 draw and was notable for the "ferocious tackling" and for Noosa scoring 3 first half goals before conceding 3 goals in 5 minutes early in the second half.[145]

Ref:[146]

Noosa entered senior football in 1976 winning the Reserve Grade premiership in their first season, and being promoted to A Grade in 1977 where they finished third and were beaten 2–1 in the grand final by Beegees. Noosa made the 1980 grand final but were again beaten, this time 2–1 by Buderim.

In 1981 Noosa created Sunshine Coast football history by becoming the first club to win the premiership-grand final double in both A and Reserve Grades.

In A Grade the Alan Sinclair captain-coached Noosa won their first A Grade premiership by a convincing 5 points from Woombye, whilst in Reserve Grade they won their third premiership by 2 points from Caboolture.

In the finals both Noosa sides lost their major semi-finals and had to take the long route to their grand finals. The Noosa A Grade side made the grand final after playing 3 gruelling finals games in 7 days; drawing 2–2 in their major semi-final with Woombye on the Sunday, losing the major semi-final replay 2–0 on the Tuesday night before beating Beegees 2–1 in the preliminary final on the Sunday.

In the A Grade grand final at Glasshouse Mts Sportsground in front of a crowd of more than 3,000 it was Woombye's Paul Lees who scored first after a defensive mix-up in the Noosa goalmouth. Bob Chalmers equalised for Noosa after a "brilliant solo run" and Tim O'Maye put Noosa ahead 2–1 at half-time with a "great piece of individual play".[147] In the second half, Noosa with their superior fitness and assisted by injuries to key Woombye players, were able to hang on and win their first A Grade championship.

In the Reserve Grade grand final Noosa scored 3 first half goals against Caboolture, eventually winning 4–2.

The grand final teams in A Grade were:

Ref:[150]

Ref:[151]

Buderim originally entered Sunshine Coast Soccer Association competitions as a junior club in 1972. Buderim entered senior teams for the first time in 1979, winning the 1st Division premiership but being beaten 4–0 by Beegees in the grand final. In 1985 Buderim set new standards in Sunshine Coast football by winning:

• 1st Division Premiership, Grand final, Clive Fenn Cup, Qantas Cup
• 2nd Division Premiership
• Colts Premiership and grand final
• Junior Premierships in Under 11's, Under 14's
• Junior grand final in Under 14's

In the Clive Fenn Cup Knock-out Final Buderim defeated Woombye 2–0 at Ballinger Park, with goals in the last 10 minutes by Ian Brown and Brian DeCourcy.

In the 1st Division premiership the Kim Cox coached Buderim were unbeaten away and lost just 2 games at home to Noosa (lost 3–2) and Woombye (lost 1–3). Noosa lead the competition until the 19th round when they were beaten 2–1 by Buderim at Ballinger Park (Goalscorers – Buderim: Nicky Meredith, Ian Brown (penalty), Noosa: Steve Walsh) and in the final round were held to a surprising 4-all draw at home by Caloundra. Buderim thrashed Woombye 5–1 in their final game to win their 2nd premiership (Goalscorers – Buderim: Paul Lees, Tim O'Maye, Ian Brown, Nicky Meredith, own goal, Woombye: Anton Potappel).

In 2nd Division Buderim easily won the premiership by 7 points from 2nd placed Beegees, but were beaten 1–0 by Beegees in the grand final (Goalscorer – Barry Whisson). This was Beegees first 2nd Division grand final win.

In the Qantas Cup, a senior knock-out cup competition played by Brisbane and region clubs, Buderim defeated Broadbeach (Gold Coast) 1–0 in the final at Perry Park in Brisbane thanks to an Ian Brown goal in the last minute of extra-time. To reach the Qantas Cup Final Buderim defeated North Star (5th Division) 2–1, The Gap (2nd Division) won on penalties after extra time, Grange Thistle (6th Division) 3–1, Slacks Creek (1st Division) 2–2 after extra-time (won 5–4 on penalties), Bardon Latrobe (1st Division) 1–1 after extra-time (won 3–2 on penalties).

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In 1987 Beegees won the first of 7 successive premierships, a record which stands to this day. On 5 occasions Buderim were the premiership runners-up. This golden period from 1987 to 1993 also produced 4 grand final victories (1987, 1989, 1992 and 1993).

Only Kawana which won 6 successive premierships from 2001 to 2006 has come close to equalling this record.

Football in Coolum began informally in 1974 with Coolum Soccer Club being formally established in February 1975. In their first season Coolum fielded 3 junior teams; Under 8, Under 12 and Under 16 and played at Jack Morgan Park, Coolum. In 1976 Coolum fielded their first senior side in Reserve Grade. In 1982 Coolum were first promoted to A Grade whilst also fielding a Reserve Grade side. Premiership and grand final success at senior level were elusive i.e. non-existent ... until 1996.

In 1996 Coolum won their first premierships in both 1st and 2nd Division; only the 5th time in post-1968 competition that a club had won the 1st and 2nd Division premiership double (Noosa River – 1981, 1983; Buderim – 1985, 1994). The Alex Murphy coached 1st Division were also the 5th A Grade/1st Division team and the first since Beegees in 1977, to go through the season undefeated. Such was Coolum's dominance they clinched the 1st Division premiership in Round 16 with 2 rounds remaining. The Coolum 2nd Division side won the premiership in the final round defeating Buderim 2–1 at Ballinger Park after both teams entered the game equal on 38 points.

The lowlight of the 1996 season was the passing of Peter Cox Senior, a pioneering figure in Sunshine Coast and Gympie soccer. Cox was the inaugural president of the Woombye club, serving as president or vice-president from 1968 until 1974. Cox also served on the Sunshine Coast Soccer Association committee, as vice-president or secretary from 1974 until 1980. Cox was also instrumental in the formation of the Sunshine Coast Referee's Association and a qualified referee, refereeing many senior games. In the mid-1970s Cox moved from Woombye to Kandanga near Gympie where he became involved in Gympie, Wide Bay and Queensland junior soccer. Cox received 6 life memberships for his contribution to soccer:

• Woombye Soccer Club
• Sunshine Soccer Association
• Gympie Soccer Association
• Gympie Referee's Association
• Wide Bay Zone Soccer
• Queensland Junior Soccer Association

One other lowlight of the 1996 season was the failure of the 1995 champions Caloundra and premiers Noosa to make the finals. Caloundra's premiership-winning coach Dennis Morris departed mid-season, as did Kevin Raynor the eventual Sunshine Coast player of the year, who transferred to Maroochydore. Noosa were frustrated by too many draws, eventually finishing 6th.

Coolum crashed out of the 1996 1st Division championship after being beaten by Buderim in the major semi-final (2–1; Goalscorers – Buderim (Shaun Blackman, Andy Thomas), Coolum (Shane Clarke)) and by Beegees on penalties after it was 1–1 after extra time in the preliminary final (Goalscorers – Beegees (David Moore), Coolum (Pat Lynch)). Beegees won their 13th championship, beating Buderim 5–3 after extra time in the grand final (3–3 at full-time) after they were down 2–0 after 30 minutes. Jason Dunn scored twice during extra time to seal Beegees victory. Goalscorers for Beegees were Jeff Haydon, David Moore, Chris Fullerton (penalty) and Jason Dunn (2), and for Buderim Shaun Blackman (hat-trick).

Coolum made the 2nd Division grand final by beating Buderim 3–1 in the major semi-final but were thwarted by Buderim in the grand final losing on penalties after the game ended 1–1 after extra time. Coolum would redeem themselves by winning the 1997 2nd Division premiership and grand final double, their first and so far only 2nd Division championship.

On Saturday 26 April 1997 a new club, Nambour Yandina United was born at Yandina Sportsground following the merger of 2 existing clubs; Nambour & District Soccer Club (or Nambour Reds) affiliated with the Sunshine Coast Soccer Federation and Yandina Eagles affiliated with the Sunshine Coast Churches Soccer Association. The day featured a unification photograph, fireworks, a cannon fire display and special guests Brisbane Strikers' players Wayne Knipe and Kasey Wehrman. The merger involved months of negotiations and an interim committee, with the club taking the temporary name Nambour Red Eagles. At their end of season presentation dinner in September Nambour Yandina United unveiled their new club logo designed by senior player Wayne Hartley and incorporating an Eagle and a football.[157]

The creation of Nambour Yandina United by merging Nambour Reds (with seniors and juniors) and Yandina Eagles (with juniors only) created at that time the largest club in the Sunshine Coast Soccer Federation. Nambour Yandina United had 27 teams including 22 junior teams and 5 senior teams (4 senior men's teams and 1 senior women's team). In 1st Division Nambour Yandina United lost their first game with their new name to Beegees 3–1 and eventually finished a disappointing 9th in the 10-team competition.

In April the Sunshine Coast Soccer Federation reported a total of 2,163 players:[158]

• Junior girls – 100
• Junior boys – 1,449
• Colts (Seniors) – 114
• Senior Women – 100
• Senior Men – 400
• Total – 2,163

Combined with Sunshine Coast Churches Soccer Association's 1,539 players a total of 3,702 players were playing football on the Sunshine Coast.

Noosa under coach Terry Wilcomes comfortably won their 5th premiership by 7 points from Coolum and looked to be on track to win the premiership-grand final double after beating Coolum in the major semi-final to go straight through to the grand final. Kawana snuck into 4th position after beating Beegees 3–0 in their Round 17 game at Glasshouse Mts Sportsground.

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In 2009 after the heartbreak of twice coming 2nd in the premiership and losing 3 grand finals in succession Maroochydore broke through to win the premiership-grand final double. In the premiership Maroochydore lost just once, their final game of the season at home to Woombye who snuck past Nambour Yandina United to finish in 2nd place. In the grand final Maroochydore defeated Woombye 2–1 with Michael Scarff scoring both goals for Maroochydore and Nick Arden scoring an unlucky own goal for Woombye. Michael Scarff was the Russ Offner Medal winner for the player of the match.[168]

In 2010 after a 26-year wait Woombye won the grand final 3–1 after extra time (1–1 at full-time) against premiers Buderim at Martins Creek, Kuluin (the home of Maroochydore Football Club).

The 2010 season began with the re-branding of the 1st Division as the McDonald's Premier League after Sunshine Coast Football secured a 3-year $300,000 sponsorship from McDonald's.[170]

In their debut season in Premier League, Cooroora (co-coached by Horst and Scott Rocker) came a creditable 6th just 2 points outside the top 4.[171] In their first game in Premier League they defeated Caloundra-Shelly Park United (who failed to win a game during the season).[172] There was some good news for Caloundra-Shelly Park United during 2010 as they moved from Central Park to their new 6-field home ground at the Meridan Sports Grounds.[173]

Buderim won their sixth premiership under their new coach George Cowie, but in the grand final couldn't overcome a resilient Woombye, who fought back to win in extra time despite conceding a 70th-minute goal.[174][175]

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In 2017 Noosa won their first top grade premiership since 2000. Noosa also won a trifecta of premierships in Men's football:

• Premier League
• Premier Reserves
• 3rd Division

Maroochydore won the grand final 2–0 from 4th position on the premiership table against premiers and red hot favourites Noosa. In doing so Maroochydore became the first club since Coolum in 2004 to win the grand final from the lowest finals position. Since 1968 this feat has only been achieved 4 times:

• 1997 – Kawana (4th position)
• 2002 – Maroochydore (4th position)
• 2004 – Coolum (4th position)
• 2017 – Maroochydore (4th position)

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In 2018 Sunshine Coast Football celebrated 50 years since the revival of football in 1968. The growth of football over 50 years has been impressive; in 1968 the then North Coast Soccer Association comprised 4 senior clubs and no juniors. By 2018 Sunshine Coast Football had 18 clubs and more than 6,000 players competing in junior and senior competitions from Under-6's to Men's and Women's Premier League, and catering for all ages and abilities.[190] Sunshine Coast Football is the third largest football zone in Queensland and football is the highest participation sport on the Sunshine Coast.[190]

The anniversary was a chance to reflect on football's humble beginnings as Clive Fenn, Sunshine Coast Football life member and founding member of Caloundra noted:

• "We had no grounds, equipment or strong supporter base. We were starting from scratch. But we had a vision".[190]
• "We started from scratch and we didn't have grounds so what we did was we got permission to play at Henzell Park which was the cricket ground in those days".[191]
• "Some builders got us timber for goalposts and we saw one of the prawners and he got us some old prawn nets that we could use for nets, really heavy they were, but at least it was something to stop the ball".[191]

The celebrations were marked by a book, a Facebook page featuring newspaper articles and photos contributed by member clubs and individuals <https://www.facebook.com/SCF50years/> and a mid-season replay of games played by the original 4 clubs on the same date as those played in 1968:[192]