Rochedale Rovers FC

Rochedale Rovers
Full name Rochedale Rovers Football Club
Nickname(s) Rovers
Founded 1972
Ground Underwood Park
Capacity 5000
Chairman Peter Crethary
Head Coach Mark Cruse
League Brisbane Premier League
Website Club home page

The Rochedale Rovers are a football club that play in the suburb of Priestdale, next to Rochedale South in Queensland, Australia.

History

In November 1972 when local resident Tommy Vance decided to advertise in the local paper to see if anyone was interested in forming a soccer club, he could never have imagined what that simple decision would mean, and how many people’s lives would be altered by it.

From the start, local business identities came forward to help, including the late Graham Hogg of Graham Hogg Real Estate, Brian Fitzgibbon of the Glen Hotel and John Beerling from Galeprufe Garages. Within a few years of starting, the club had leased land at Underwood Park, developed three fields (fenced and floodlit), built a canteen, office and showers. Many hours of volunteer work has been put in by many different people and it is without doubt the reason why Rochedale Rovers has become the club it is today.

Since those early days, many thousands of local families have enjoyed the atmosphere and the facilities, and in turn have made them bigger and better, so that today, the idea of a few locals has become a thriving industry. The club employs nearly 50 people both full and part-time and now have a fully air-conditioned family bistro, a function room that will cater for 160 people that overlooks the main playing field, and a smaller conference room, which will hold 70/80 people. There is also the friendly clubhouse itself, open seven days a week, complete with Poker Machines, Keno, Mini-Tab, Cafe and Restaurant. Live entertainment on weekends will cater for all styles. As of July 17, 2014 the Licensed Club has ceased operation after going into voluntary administration back in 2010.[1]

The soccer side of the club has grown just as furiously. Beneath the grandstand, which overlooks our main field, are some of the best player facilities in Queensland. Four large size changing rooms, showers, offices, sports store and canteen. A professionally run club, Rochedale Rovers offers the complete family package.

Rochedale Rovers have endeavored to set the standards in Queensland soccer and left no stone unturned in their ambition to become one of best clubs. The club now boasts four Premierships, captured in 1999, 2007, 2008 & 2010 as well as many Grand Final and Cup Final appearances.

The club also takes pride in the fact that many former players (both Senior & Junior) are now playing professionally both in Australia and Overseas. These names include Shane Huke (Dagenham & Redbridge - ENG), Chris O'Connor (Bray Wanderers - IRE; & Australia U/23's), Tim Smits, Matt Mundy, James Donachie & Luke Brattan (Brisbane Roar), Steve Fitzsimmons (Gold Coast United) & Jon McKain (Wellington Phoenix & Adelaide United).[2]

2013 Season

Sponsored by F1rst Commercial Realty, Rochedale Rovers are currently competing in the 2013 Brisbane Premier League.[3]

2011 Season

In a repeat of the 2010 Qualifying Final, Rochedale Rovers faced Brisbane Wolves however this time the match was played at Carmichael Park. Two late 1st half goals from Americans Patrick Hopkins and Steffen Vroom took Wolves into a 2–0 lead that proved to be enough as they held out for a 2–1 victory. Rovers then played Olympic FC for a place in the 2011 Grand Final and as Rovers had done to Capalaba the previous year, they defeated their opposition 3–0 to set up a rematch with Brisbane Wolves. The Grand Final was at Perry Park on Sunday 25 September, but with Wolves leading 1-0 at Half Time, a floodlight failure forced an abandonment, and Rochedale would run out winners in the rematch at Luxury Paints Stadium.

2010 Season

Competing in the Brisbane Premier League, Rochedale Rovers were Premiers in the 2010 regular season, after a fantastic start that saw them go 21 games undefeated. However towards the end of the season their form slumped, resulting in a 1-0 Grand Final defeat to Brisbane Wolves.

Silverware

Premierships: 1999, 2007, 2008 & 2010

Championships: 2011

Cups:

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Australia GK David Floyd
3 Australia Joshua Byrne
4 Australia DF Christopher Maher
5 Australia Jason Launchbury
6 Australia Fankie Lee
7 Australia Gregory Cheshire
8 Australia David Butler
10 Australia FW Mark Cruse
11 Australia MF Cody Lovell
12 Australia MF Chris Burley
13 Australia DF Darren Gray
14 Australia MF Rhys Hastings
No. Position Player
19 Australia DF John Thompson
20 Australia Samuel Taplin
9 France FW Nicolas Vandelli
22 Australia MF Terry Hughes
25 France MF Romain Jeanjean
26 Australia Lukas Doumanlis
29 Japan Shu Karauchi
30 Australia Andrew Thompson
Australia Garrett Mcduling
Australia Joshua Falco
Australia Soo Myeong Lee
Australia Thomas Patterson

2011 squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Australia GK Mario Aparicio
2 Australia FW Petar Kostovski
3 Australia DF Willie Tumisiime
4 Australia MF Andrew Butler
5 Australia DF Jason Launchbury
6 Australia MF Paul Grugan
7 Australia MF Carl Tabulo
8 Australia DF Steven Carter
9 Australia FW Steve Unsworth
10 Australia FW Mark Cruse
11 Australia MF Cody Lovell
12 Australia MF Chris Burley
No. Position Player
13 Australia DF Darren Gray
14 Australia MF Rhys Hastings
15 Australia DF Josh Harding
16 Australia MF Keenan Duimpies
17 Australia DF Jonathon Stirling
18 Australia MF Jake McLean
19 Australia DF John Thompson
20 Bosnia and Herzegovina FW Adnan Jakupovic
22 Australia MF Terry Hughes
23 Australia MF Pablo Aviles
24 Australia DF Ryan Love

Notable former players

Australia
Austria
England
Scotland

References

  1. "Breaking News". Rochedalerovers.com. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  2. "Rovers History". Rochedalerovers.com. Retrieved 2014-01-03.
  3. "Ladder for Brisbane Premier League - FOX SPORTS PULSE". Sportingpulse.com. Retrieved 2014-01-03.
  4. "Luke Brattan | Football Australia 2013". Footballaustralia.com.au. Retrieved 2014-01-03.

External links