THE TURBULENT ups and downs of one of Geelong’s strongest sporting stories will be celebrated as Hamlyn Rangers Soccer Club turns 60 later this month.
Long-time president John Barr was one of eight people who set the foundations for the club in a meeting at North Geelong Fire Station in 1955.
“They were people with a passion for the game and they established a club that has created a soccer dynasty that started out as Geelong Scottish,” Barr said.
“By harassing the council they were given a ground to play on at Calvert St, Hamlyn Heights.
“It was no more than a paddock and trees had to be removed, the pitch levelled and stones dug out.
“They recruited players but it did not matter how good they were, if they didn’t pitch in they could find another club.”
Success followed and the club won the local league four seasons in a row and had more cups than a cafeteria, Barr said.
One of the down times was after the club won the Country Cup without earning the reward of promotion. Corio was promoted even though it finished fifth.
“That tore the heart out of the club for a while and we were forced to knock on doors to bring back disgruntled members,” Barr recalled.
“It irked members then and still does.”
A move to Myers Reserve in 1975 was expected to revitalise the club but Barr admitted that many supporters thought the hard work was done and had stepped away.
In 1983 Rangers went through its most ambitious period and raised funds to bring top players from Melbourne, winning the league in 1983 and 1984 and playing in the Victorian second division.
But Barr believed that spending heavily to achieve championships was the wrong way to go.
“The success was great but when the money ran out so did the players we brought in.”
These days Rangers is reaping the benefits of a junior policy with a system that takes the young players from an early age right through to the seniors.
“Rangers now have the best junior coaches in Geelong and the players have a career path to follow,” Barr said.
The club has radically improved its facilities at Myers Reserve with two new floodlit training grounds on drought-proof grass.
The club was now inundated with requests to play junior soccer, Barr said.
“We’re packed to capacity. The club now has more than 250 players and aims to expand further.”
Geelong Rangers will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a dinner at Capri receptions on 20 June, with former players from around the country to attend.
Barr said tickets were available from Stuart Begg on 0400 133 610.
