This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Gronk Oz (talk | contribs) at 03:02, 21 January 2025 (Clean up, typo(s) fixed: 1970’s → 1970s, the the → the). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 03:02, 21 January 2025 by Gronk Oz (talk | contribs) (Clean up, typo(s) fixed: 1970’s → 1970s, the the → the)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Football club in Australia Football club| Full name | Churchill United Soccer Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Rams |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Ground | Hazelwood South Reserve |
| Capacity | 500 |
| Chairman | Stephen Breheny |
| Manager | Bradley Sands |
| League | Latrobe Valley Soccer League |
| 2024 LVSL | 6th |
| Website | facebook.com/ChurchillUnitedSC |
Churchill United SC is a soccer club based in Churchill, Victoria, Australia. The club was founded in 1969 and currently competes in Latrobe Valley Soccer League.
After a relatively barren stretch in their formative years, Churchill emerged as one of the LVSL's strongest clubs in the 2000s, winning five league titles between 2007 and 2014 and five Battle of Britain Cups between 2005 and 2013.
The club has historically attracted support from the southern area of Latrobe City, with players and fans of the Rams coming from as far as Hazelwood North, Hazelwood South, Jeeralang, Yinnar and Boolarra.
History
Formation, search for a home and early struggles (1969-1997)
With the Latrobe Valley Soccer League known for being one of the strongest in regional Australia, it was no surprise that the club struggled to achieve much success during their first three decades.
Despite being a relatively close distance to Morwell, as a smaller town (but with initial plans to grow to 40,000) - and one that was only built in 1965 - Churchill's early years in the LVSL were marked by the challenge of competing against established Latrobe Valley-based teams with considerable resources, strong fan bases and star players.
The club began life at Gaskin Park, adjacent to the Churchill Football Netball Club and where the Churchill Bowling Club is now based.
Former LVSL secretary and football journalist Dick Bosma is credited with giving Churchill the nickname of "The Rams" after the Jeeralang Rams which folded in 1982, the club having played three seasons in the second and third divisions of the LVSL. Another Churchill and District team, the Hazelwood Cobras, which also competed in the lower grades between 1978 and 1980, while Monash University (also based in Churchill) also fielded a lower grade team in the 1990s.
It wasn't until Churchill United moved to its present premises in 1972, at Hazelwood South Reserve, that it began to flourish.
The club was runners-up in the 1977 and 1978 Battle of Britain Cups, whilst in 1980 Churchill almost won its first LVSL Championship, missing out by a point to Sale City and Traralgon City respectively, who were separated by a goal difference. Needing a win on the final day to overhaul Sale City, Churchill could only manage a 2–2 draw with second-last placed Fortuna 60.
Churchill has remained in the first division since its inception and has been noted for its commitment to junior development, but in 1990 the club hit its lowest point when it finished bottom and was forced to play a relegation match against undefeated Second Division Champions Morwell Rangers/Loy Yang Condors United.
Effectively fighting for its survival Churchill blazed away to win 8–0 in the first leg of the decider with the Combine conceding the second leg with such a deficit to overhaul.
Ascent begins, Rams begin to compete (1991-)
Pushing into the top four in 1991 for the first time since 1985, the club continued its climb by collecting its first senior team silverware with the Charity Bowl in 1993 with a 2–1 win over Moe United in the final, and also finished runners up in the Battle of Britain Cup after losing to Morwell Falcons 2–0 in the final.
The following year Churchill pressed for the League title but would finish second to Traralgon Olympians.
In 1998 Churchill cracked it for major success when it won the Battle of Britain Cup for the first time after a replay and eventual penalties to get over Warragul.
That same year the club also finished runner up League Champions after losing an epic 4-3 decider to Warragul United when the Championship was contested in a final's series, remembered by many for its decidedly physical nature.
Up until 2005 Churchill had won just six senior club trophies before what could only be described as a golden era began; and in the period 2005 to 2014 there were a further 29 senior club trophies added.
In 2005 Churchill claimed the Battle of Britain Cup and the Finals Series Premiership. In 2006 Churchill went back to back Battle of Britain Cup winners, but fell short of League Championship and finals series glory.
Churchill were also recognised in 2006 as the GSL club of the year in recognition of the growth of the club and the path the club was on.
Trio of titles begins era of dominance (2007-2012)
In 2007, Churchill broke through after 38 years of trying to win the LVSL title. Fittingly, the feat was achieved with players predominantly developed at the club and adding to the milestone the team went through undefeated with an average winning margin of 5.7 goals. That same year Churchill also made it three Battle of Britain Cup victories in a row, equalling the record set by Yallourn, with Reserves and second division claiming their Championships too the club completed a rare clean sweep.
The club would win the next two league titles, making it three-in-a-row for what was now one of the LVSL's most strongest clubs.
In 2011, the club fell agonisingly short of its fourth League Championship when only a goal difference separated Churchill and Fortuna at season's end.
However, Churchill managed its revenge in the finals series despatching the Orangemen 4–1.
That same year Churchill's women's team dominated the competition claiming the League, Finals series and Cup.
2012 proved to be a remarkable year with achievements never likely to ever be repeated by another LVSL/ GSL club again: the senior's feat of going undefeated plus winning the finals series and Battle of Britain cup was impressive, but when the women's team won all three and the Youth team won all three as well, it marked 2012 as the year of the Triple Treble Triumph.
More success and narrow misses (2013-)
2013 proved to be another agonising season when the club surrendered an eight-point buffer to Moe United with three games remaining, however back to back Battle of Britain Cup success eased any anguish.
2013 capped off a period of absolute dominance for Churchill's women's team making it another clean sweep of all competitions and stamping their legacy as one of the greatest women's team in GSL/ LVSL history.
Their achievements winning the League three years in a row, along with three finals series in a row and a quartet of Brown-Huizer trophies is likely never to be beaten.
The following year in 2014 Churchill's senior men had a point to prove and enjoyed redemption by winning every league match for the entire season to claim its fifth League title.
The club celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2019.
Club colors and badge
After experimenting with various different colours, the club now plays in red and grey jerseys, modelled after the Liverpool FC away kit of the 1980s.
Stadium
Since 1972 the club has played its home matches at Hazlewood South Reserve on Tramway Road, which has a capacity of 500 (with a seating capacity of 100).
Substantial upgrades to the facility - once known as "The Paddock" have now made the reserve one of the premier facilities of the LVSL.
Temporary bases during the early 1970s included a makeshift pitch on vacant land between Monash Way and Tramway Road, then use of a block behind Switchback Road in an area later occupied by houses in the Maple and Hawthorn Crescent areas, and a clearing on Manning Drive where the current synthetic bowls green is situated.
Club achievements
- Champions (5): 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014
- Grand Final Winners (3): 2005, 2011, 2012
- Runners Up (5): 1994, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2013
- Winners (6): 1998, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013
- Runners Up (3): 1977, 1978, 2015.
- Latrobe Valley Soccer League Women's
- Champions (3): 2011, 2012, 2013
- Runners Up (2): 2009, 2010
Notable former players
Luke Cheney- Paul Riess
- Stephen Marselli
- Jayden Unmack
Rivalries
Churchill's rise from relative obscurity to a leading LVSL team in the 2000s led to a rivalry with a fellow rising force, Fortuna 60.
The two sides were among the league's lesser lights until 2003, when Fortuna commenced a run of four league titles, followed by three in a row for Churchill (2007, 2008 and 2009). Fortuna won the next two, and then Churchill won two of the next three titles, cementing the two as the dominant teams of the era.
References
- ^ Hayes, Tom (January 15, 2019). "Rams Paddock to Premier Venue". Latrobe Valley Express. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- Hill, Simon (2021-04-29). "Football's Broken Homes and Broken Hearts". Footyology. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ^ "Churchill United Soccer Club 50th Anniversary" (PDF). Churchill and District News. September 12, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
- ^ "LVSL League Winners". Football Chaos. May 6, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- "Hazlewood South Reserve". Football Chaos. January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
- "LVSL Battle of Britain Winners". Football Chaos. May 6, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- "LVSL Women's League Winners". Football Chaos. May 6, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
External links
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