Rochedale Rovers Fc

Rochedale Rovers Football Club was founded in 1973 and has grown from a small junior club with four teams into a well-established club fielding teams across all ages, with both male and female players. The history of the club has come a long way from a field at the back of the `Glen Hotel’ to the impressive facilities we have today. It was back in 1972 that Tom Vance had the vision of forming a soccer club. An ad in the local newspaper saw considerable interest and a public meeting was called. At this meeting on the 25th February 1973, Rochedale Rovers Soccer Club was formed. It was also decided the club strip would be the colours of green & gold. Training officially started on the 3rd March at the Rochedale State School. Like all new clubs, early development relied on significant help by both those inside and outside of the club. It was when Brian Fitzgibbon, licensee of the Glen Hotel, was approached and agreed to use the field at the back of the Glen Hotel for playing purposes. The old “cow paddock” (complete with cows) was transformed into a soccer pitch. Countless dance fundraisers, raffles, Tupperware parties and Auctions were held to raise funds along with generous donations saw the club have a healthy bank account balance of $2,343 at the end of its first year! During the off-season a great amount of time and effort was put in at the Glen in preparation for 1974 season. With Brian Fitzgibbon’s approval and support the concrete cricket pitch was removed which enabled the large pitch to be moved and a small field set up for the U7’s & U8’s games. This also could not have been achieved without the help of Cecil Austen, kindly donating his time and backhoe and club members that donated their time right up until Christmas Day. The club was again fortunate when member John Beerling, donated a shed for the use of a canteen and storage. This proved to be a great asset. John Beerling and Brian Fitzibbon became the club’s first life-members.