History
Club History
Chirnside Park Football Club was formed in 1978 by Tommy Hardstaff, who saw the need for the young in a growing community.
The club was originally part of the Chirnside Park Country Club and played in Melbourne guernseys.
This First year saw two teams, Under 9 and Under 11's, playing in the Eastern Districts Football League and using Lilydale West Primary School as its home ground.
In 1979, the football club continued to grow and broke away from the Country Club, forming its own committe with Tommy Hardstaff as President. The club then moved to Lilydale High School, which had a larger ground size. In that same year, Chirnside Park won the Under 9 Lightening Premiership and through a club name competition among the boys, became the "Panthers".
The following years saw the club continue to grow - firstly with the beginning of the Midget competition in 1980 (which the club have won twice), also changing our club colours to orange and black. In 1981 we officially entered into competition football with an Under 14 side.
In 1983 the club entered the Under 16 competition and Scott Wilson became the club's first 100 game player.1984 saw the Club move to its current site, using the Chirnside Park Community Centre as change rooms. This year also saw Chirnside Park playing in its first competition final series, with the Under 14 side.
1985 saw the completion of clubrooms, after 8 years of hard work. Finally the Panthers had a permanent home.1986-1988 saw the club grow to where there were over 100 boys and girls competing in Under 10, 12, 14 and 16 competition.
In 1989 the committee took a stride forward and introduced an Under 18 team into the Eastern District Football League.1990 saw the
club commit the Under 18 team to the Victorian Ameteur Football Association with the view to having a senior team in 1991.This year
also saw the completion of the Chirnside Park Sporting Club, constructed by members of the Football and Cricket clubs, with support from the Shire.
1989, 1990 and 1992 saw the Under 12 teams win the Lightning Premiership. This gained the club great pride.
In 1991, the club fielded its maiden Senior team in the VAFA "G NORTH" division, along with an Under 19 team. Both teams finished in the final four, a great result, espically for the seniors.
1992 saw the club enter our first Reserve Grade team in the VAFA. The Under 19 team finished top, with 17 wins out of 21 games and went on to win the premiership. Durring the season, Shane Condie became the first player to represent the club for 200 games.
In 1993, the Under 19 team was promoted to section 1, the elite league in VAFA, and finished 5th for the season.In 1994, the club was unable to field an Under 19 team, however Under 14, Reserve and Senior teams played in finals, with the senior team narrowly losing the grand final.
1995 saw the Under 10 team win the Lightening Premiership, while the Under 14's finished top of teh ladder and won the grand final.
In 1996, the under 10's won the lightning premiership for the second year in a row, while the Under 16's went undefated all season, only to lose the grand final.
The 1997 and 1998 seasons saw the senior club struggling to gain ground in the VAFA, moving from an easten grading to a competition that included teams from the Mornington Penisula.
1999 saw a move that would change the club,with the Under 19 team reverting toan EFL under 18 competition. The move would surely see the Senior Club following in Season 2000. In their final year VAFA year the senior club was rocked by injuries, however the Reserve team made the Grand Final only to lose on a miserable day.
In the junior divisions the Under 12, 14 and 16 teams represented the club on Grand Final day. Unfortunately all sides went down on the day.
Season 2000 saw a new era for the club. The senior club aligned itself with the junior competition, joining the EFL in 4th Division. The Junior club fields teams in Under 10, 11, 12, 13 and 16's. The whole club is fitted out with new jumpers, designed by a marketing committee. The club's new colours include black, gold and white. The club also recieves funding to complete a much needed extention to the clubs carpark. The club also establishes a web-site that allows access to Panther results anywhere in the world. With all the changes the senior club fails to make the finals.
Season 2001 begins positively with the recruitment of former player Justin Carusi as Captain Coach and the club again fields a record amount of teams.
Chirnside Park Football Club Inc
Clubrooms Located at Kimberley Reserve,
Kimberley Drive
Chirnside Park.
This site maintained by André Renkema
