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Written by Wayne Brooks
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Sunday, 08 August 2004 |
A History of Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers Soccer Club was founded in 1984. Taking its name from the Dublin-based League of Ireland club, Rovers initially gave Perth’s Irish community a team to call their own, but has since grown into a club for anybody who enjoys their football with passion, enthusiasm, fun and humility. The club is an active and well-respected member of the WA football community and has gained its fair share of supporters, friends and, of course, trophies.
History
1984-1991 The Beginnings
Shamrock Rovers began life in the WA Amateur Third Division in 1984. The club made an immediate impact on the local scene, winning successive promotions and reaching the Premier League in 1991. Those early squads contained many players that would go on to be club stalwarts many years after their careers had ended, including Mick Murray, Connie O’Sullivan, Andy Roche and Dave Brooks.
1992-1997 The Glory Years
After establishing itself in the top echelon of amateur football, Rovers reached new heights during the 90s. After the disappointment of a cup final defeats in 1993 and 1995, Rovers built on its reputation in the following years and claimed its first Premier League title in 1996. Coached by Mick Murray, the team contained the likes of Matt Day, Jon Craik, Johnny Allen and Phil Foulkes. The 1997 season was to prove even more impressive as Rovers became the first club to achieve the amateur league and cup double.
1998-2003 Growing off the Pitch
While Rovers continued to be one of the powerhouses of amateur football, the club seemed to just fail to reach its previous heights in the following years. In 1999, the club fell just short on two fronts, finishing second in the league and losing the cup final to traditional rivals Fremantle United 1-0. Fortunes off the pitch continued to thrive, however. A partnership was made with junior club Vic Park Rovers and Shamrock Rovers masters’ and ladies’ teams made their first appearances during this period.
2004-onwards Return to the Summit
Rovers’ climb back to the top did not take long. In 2004 coach Nik Silsby put together an impressive squad, built around players who had grown up at the club such as Eddie Schuller, Mark Kelly, the Brooks brothers (Wayne, Glenn and Sean), Keith and Stephen Roche and Mickey Murray. The team swept all before them but after points were deducted due to a controversial ruling over a former professional player, it took a victory to on the last day to secure the title. 2005 saw Rovers finish third, but success around the club was a constant, the reserves winning the league for the third year in succession and the veterans achieving their second promotion. In 2007 Shamrock Rovers once again won the 1st team league Championship after a remarkable final against rivals Fremantle United, as well as a reserve team winning the cup and achieving top of the table league results (unfortunately going down in the final against UWA). With the best squad assembled in some time, the 2009 season was another successful one with both the First and Reserve teams winning runners up medals including yet another semi-final appearance in the cup by the reserve team (9 years in a row). The Social team and Masters team enjoyed a successful season finishing third and fifth respectively.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 05 February 2010 )
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