Rochedale Rovers are a semi-professional football club which plays at
Underwood Park in
Priestdale,
Queensland
Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...
,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
and currently competes in the
Queensland Premier League with senior and junior teams competing in both
Football Queensland
Football Queensland (FQ) is the governing body for soccer, futsal and beach soccer in the Australian state of Queensland
Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australi ...
and
Football Brisbane competitions.
History
In November 1972, local resident Tommy Vance placed an advertisement in the local paper looking for people interested in forming a soccer club on a small field behind the historic Glen Hotel at
Eight Mile Plains.
In 1973, Rovers started their first ever game with a dominant 4-0 victory over Redlands United, all four goals coming from the boot of Darren Byrne.
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 the club had leased land at Underwood Park and with the help of a small army of volunteers had developed three fields (fenced and floodlit), a canteen, office and showers.
In the late 1970s a brick clubhouse was built with grandstands, full playing amenities, canteen and sports bar, at the time being one of the best facilities in Queensland.
In 2019, the original clubhouse was demolished to make way for a start of the art clubhouse based around the design of the original featuring the new Tom Vance and Keiran Cooper Grandstands and a full length verandah (extending the seating capacity to 500+) as well as a spectacular entrance way, top floor canteen and bar facilities.
Beneath the grandstand, which overlooks the main field, are modern changing rooms and storage facilities.
To date, Rochedale have collected six Premierships (1986, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2017), six Championships (1985, 1986, 1993, 1995, 2011, 2019) and have produced three internationals in
Jon McKain (
Socceroos),
Chris O'Connor (
Olyroos
The Australia national under-23 soccer team represents Australia in international under-23 soccer and at the Olympic Games. The team is controlled by the governing body for soccer in Australia, Football Australia (FA), which is currently a member ...
), and
Luke Brattan
Nathan Luke Brattan (born 8 March 1990) is an Australian professional football player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Macarthur FC and the Australia national team.
Born in England, Brattan moved to Australia at a young age, playing you ...
(
Under20s).
Former players turned professional include
Shane Huke,
Tim Smits,
Matt Mundy,
James Donachie
James Kevin Donachie (born 14 May 1993) is an Australian soccer player who plays as a centre back for Western United in the A-League.
Club career
Brisbane Roar
In 2010, he signed a youth contract with A-League club Brisbane Roar. He made his p ...
and
Steve Fitzsimmons
Steve Fitzsimmons (born 7 September 1976) is a former Australian football (soccer) player and coach.
Club career
Steve started his NSL career with Parramatta Power under coach & former Socceroo David Mitchell and his assistant coach Lawrie ...
.
Of teams still active, only Lions, Bardon Latrobe and Brisbane City have won more Premierships.
Silverware
Premierships: 1986, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2017
''Runners-up: 2011, 2009, 2006, 2005, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1991, 2022''
Championships: 1984, 1985, 1993, 1995, 2011, 2019
''Runners-up: 2012, 2010, 2006, 1998, 1992, 1991''
References
External links
*
{{AUS fb state Qld Brisbane
Association football clubs established in 1972
Soccer clubs in Brisbane
Football Queensland Premier League
Brisbane Premier League teams
1972 establishments in Australia
Logan City