Rochester Football Club

Rochester
Names
Full name Rochester Football Club
Nickname(s) Tigers
Club details
Founded 1874
Colours      Black      Yellow
Competition Bendigo Football League
(1915-1971)
Goulburn Valley Football League (1913-1914, 1973-)
Premierships BFL 4 (1958, 1959, 1962, 1963)
GVFL 4 (1914, 1992, 1999, 2008)
Ground(s) Moon Oval

The Rochester Football Club was formed at a meeting held on 8 June 1874 at Tidy's Restdown Hotel. The club was formed with the purpose of soon "playing and beating Echuca". An intense rivalry that has endured ever since regardless of which competition each was playing in.

Goulburn Valley FL to Bendigo FL

Rochester entered the Goulburn Valley FL for the 1913 season, they were eventually runner-up to Shepparton. The following year they defeated Shepparton in the Grand Final. With the outbreak of World War I the Goulburn valley FL did not reform in 1915, so Rochester entered the Bendigo FL.

Bendigo FL to Goulburn Valley FL

By the early 1970s Rochester was being woo-ed by the Goulburn Valley FL, as it was keen to expand, the Bendigo league refused a cleearance so the club went into recess for 1972. It commenced with the GVFL in 1973.

1990s

The 1990s was a successful period, culminating in six senior grand final berths.

Both seniors and reserves made the grand final in 1990, but both teams lost.

The seniors made the grand final in 1992, defeating Tatura by two points in wet conditions.

They made the grand final again in 1993, but was defeated by Shepparton in controversial circumstances by a kick after the siren.

Rochester participated in a night series Centenary celebration of the GVFL. Rochester won the preliminary games and then defeated Tatura in the final. Anthony McPhee kicked a goal from 40m near the siren to put Rochester 5 points ahead.

In 2008 they beat Seymour for the premiership cup denying Seymour the chance of winning 4 cups in a row.

References