Club History

1964 - Club started at Minto on Email Co. property. The Club registered as "Minto Sports Club" with shirt colours being tan and white stripe. The Southern District Association consisting of 3185 players.

1965 - Club committee realised necessity for a major sponsor and as the majority of players lived in Campbelltown and were members of the RSL club it was decided to approach the RSL for sponsorship. The inaugural meeting was held on 10th November.

1966 - Other sporting bodies along with soccer sought recognition with Campbelltown RSL and the "Campbelltown RSL Youth Club" was created under the guidelines of the Subbranch. Soccer Club colours were retained because RSL colours of blue and gold were already registered with SDSFA. Club named "Campbelltown RSL Junior Soccer Club". Through support of Sub-Branch a new soccer field was allocated by council on Camden Road where the Campbelltown Library now stands. Competition games were played at the Campbelltown Showground. Seven teams and 95 players registered with the fee being 2 shillings and 6 pence and weekly game fees of 1 shilling.

1967 - Revenue was achieved by fund raising in a canteen tent erected each day on the soccer grounds, youth club fee of 50 cents was introduced - 152 juniors registered.

1968 - 180 junior players registered.

1969 - 223 junior players registered.

1970 - Sub-Branch acquired land at Kentlyn for our growing soccer club. The land was surveyed by Mr K. Quarmby and cleared by the Australian Army. Meanwhile, the council made our home at the Campbelltown Showgrounds, now the home of the "Harlequins" football club.

1971 - Our soccer club executive helped establish "Collegians" with SDSFA.

1972 - Council allocated Camden Road grounds to Collegians. Cootamundra social soccer games started.

1973 - Our strong association with Collegians has been consolidated by an annual club trophy donated by Mr Collin Tietsel, who was held in high esteem by both clubs. A similar annual trophy has also been introduced with the Camden "Tigers" Soccer Club in the name of McCartney, an Appin mine disaster victim who was very involved with junior soccer. Further annual trophies were setup with Narellan and Macquarie Fields Soccer Clubs to secure pre-season training games.

1974/1975 - The new ground at Kentlyn named "Kevin Wheatley VC Memorial Grounds" were finally completed for the 1976 season. The canteen tent was changed for the luxury brick amenities.

1975/1976 - The allegiance with members of Campbelltown RSL and Cootamundra Club introduced an annual trophy to mark this popular event. Our children always returned to suburbia with stories of farm life and fresh farm produce. 297 junior players registered this season.

1977 - Registration fee for 1977 being $2.50 per player. Soccer Club By-Laws introduced. Club colour change to brown with white trim.

1978 - The soccer club grew to approx 30 teams. Literally exploded and the Police Youth Club was developed. Cricket pitches constructed on soccer fields by Campbelltown Council and Campbelltown RSL Sub-Branch.

1988 - Council took control of home grounds,

1989 - An almost totally rained out season took its financial toll.

1990 - Cobras named "Club of the Year" taking most premierships in the district. Cobras also won all 4 pre-season trophies. Fund raising managed to clear 1989 debts.

1991 - Proud new striped team shirts gave inspiration to our club. Under 9 inaugural gala day played for shield hand made and donated by Mr Brian Churchley, past president.

1992 - Club name changed to incorporate the all age club "Campbelltown R&SL Cobras Soccer Club". Planning of grounds upgrade and fund raising began in earnest. President Mr Warren Cullen instrumental in securing a grant of $3000 from Department Sports & Recreation for Kevin Wheatley grounds. lan Forward (PP) and all age players gave strong support in fund raising events including "Bradbury Inn" meat raffles.

1993 - Middle field of "Kevin Wheatley VC Memorial Grounds" was completely rebuilt with new sprinkler system and soil aerated, fertilised, dressed etc and left vacant for this season. Lower ground on Deans Road was used for alternative ground to middle field. Flood lights for training reinstalled. Cost to club $11000 and Council claimed they spent $27000 on grounds upgrade.

1994 - Club still financial due to dedicated members fund raising throughout 1993 like lan Forward's "Bradbury" meat raffles. Cobras had the best field in Macarthur District. Lower field was turned into two mini fields and car park field was turned into three quarter field for Under 8 matches. Under 14 team coached by Warwick Mitchell played in "Boarder Cup" Albury. All other teams being district representative teams. Our Under 14 team learnt a lot.

1995 - Committee enabled the club stalwarts "Warren Cullen and Arthur Beynon" to retire from a long and successful term in office. The club fielded 12 teams, some successful in both Competition and Ron Dine grand finals. Cobras remained financially sound through the efforts of the loyal members.

1996 - Cobras celebrated 30th anniversary at RSL Club with formal dinner and VIP guests and life members. Highlight of evening was the unveiling of the new strip with new colours of purple and gold; largely Julie Clapson and fund raising committee raised funds. U/9 gala day was rained out. The "Mark Latham Mini Team Award" was introduced to acknowledge distinctive participation. Macarthur Soccer U/8 end of season gala day held at "Kevin Wheatley" grounds with 50 teams participating.

1997 - The new strip was launched at the pre-season social match on 9th March 1997 against Camden Tigers - 17 teams fielded with 9 teams reaching the finals. Canteen security system foiled several break-in attempts. Annual U/9 gala day postponed because of little support from other clubs. Dedicated committee ensured club was financially sound. "Fang" the new Cobra emblem nickname introduced.

1998 - Club has 3rd straight year of growth and fields 20 teams with 64 minis, 141 juniors and 63 senior registrations. Incessant rain caused major disruptions to the local competition. Many rounds were abandoned with points apportioned.

1999 - Cobra's have 261 registered players, fielding 19 teams and have a most successful season with Premierships, 3 Ron Dine and 5 Lynwood Cup Trophies won. Twelve teams compete in the successful U/9 Gala Day. The Julie Clapson Award for most outstanding junior team is introduced in memorial to the efforts of one of our truest club members.

2000 - Changes to the district registration procedures were instrumental in reducing membership, players were registered in 17 teams, one team being later withdrawn. Under 9 Gala Day postponed due to insufficient entries. Hosted trial PSSA sports day, great weather, great soccer, great season, but not quite there in the end.

2001 - Reading executive reports will give the impression that 2001 was a bad season for Cobras. Quite true, but reduced to 3 mini, 6 junior and 3 senior teams, we faced an uphill battle. Under 10/5 more than adequately represented Cobras in the Catholic Club Cup, and the 10/5, 11/3, 13/3 and AA/6 all did credit to the Cobras in the Ron Dine, being eliminated in the Semis, some only by penalty shootout. With the promise of increased support for 2002, there is a firm foundation for the future of Cobras.

2002 - With a complete change to the Committee this year we faced a challenge ahead with a number of new members on board, with limited knowledge of the operation. With continued communication within the committee members a successful and profitable end of year result was achieved. We had 12 teams represent our club, with 2 being successful. One winning the Premiership and Ron Dine Grand final, the other being successful in winning the Lynwood Cup. 12 teams competed in a very successful U/9 Gala Day held after a 'two year break, with Eschol Park taking out the honours. Negotiations started with UWS with a view to moving the club to a better location.

2003 - Negotiations failed with UWS during off-season. Our 2003 Committee members are highly praised for their success, dedication and hard working efforts. These members over the year worked together as a team/family, always available, nothing too hard. This year we had 12 teams represent the club. One winning the Division championship and Ron Dine Cup, with teams going into the Lynwood cup with 3 winning. Our All Age team has shown support for club and junior players.

2004 - After a fire destroyed the Canteen at Kevin Wheatley, the club had to re-locate the Soccer Club to Sarah Redfern Oval, Minto for the season 2004, and had to share facilities with Minto Soccer Club. Heavy negotiations between Council, MDSFA and the Committee have secured Hurley Park as the new home ground from the 2005 season onwards, with the Council to upgrade the facilities. A difficult year financially, with the loss of most equipment in the fire and the upheaval of grounds. 12 teams represented the club, 4 minis, 7 juniors and 1 senior team. One premiership was won and one Ron Dine Cup final. 40th Birthday celebration dinner held with Representatives from MDSFA and Life members. 2005 will see Cobra's enter a new era at new Grounds, with a view to growing a stronger club.

2005 - First season in our new home saw our member numbers increase adding 3 new teams. All members enjoyed the safe environment and the absence of vandalism. Difficulties with MDSFA and grading saw a few teams struggle in a very tough competition, only 3 teams making it to the Ron Dine play offs. A great presentation day was enjoyed by junior members but a miscalculation of finances will see 2006 start off on a tight budget.

2006 - A great year for our teams with 2 teams runners up in the premiership, 1 team premiership winners & 2 Ron Dine Cup winners. Sponsorship was on the up with the AA team raffles at the Bradbury Inn. Team numbers were down due to incorrect advertising at the start of the season. With our excellent committee we now have a small surplus for the start of the 2007 season.

2007 - A change of strip to navy, white and yellow saw the club expand to 16 teams with 210 registered players. Only one premiership and Ron Dine final (U11/3). A new committee saw a different approach culminating with over 400 people attending the end of year junior presentation.

2008 - Club continues to grow to 22 teams (9 minis, 10 juniors and 3 seniors) Over 35 team wins Premiership undefeated. Under 10 Division 5 Ron Dine final winners. Club negotiating with Campbelltown Council to upgrade facilities and playing areas at Hurley Park. Club financials strong thanks to Bradbury Hotel raffles carried out by dedicated committee members. Under 11 team enters Kanga Cup making quarter finals with Toby Flynn-Duncombe named Under 11 player of tournament. End of year junior presentation attended by over 600 people held at Hurley Park.

2009 - Over 300 players kicked-off Season 2009 with the Cobras in 23 teams (8 minis, 10 juniors and 5 seniors). All bar one Junior and one Senior team make the semi-finals, with Under 11/3 and Under 11/5 taking out their Minor Premierships. Under 11/5 and Under 17/1 win Grand Finals to become Premiers. Under 12/1 represent the club in the Kanga Cup, and Under 17/1 in the Sydney Cup. Small-sided games introduced for Under 6, and Under 6 Gala Day hosted by the Cobras at Kevin Wheatley.

Last updated: 12 March 2010