Over the years, Holroyd Rangers has undergone three name changes, four home grounds, four different uniforms, one season with a different association, and survived two near collapses and destruction of the clubhouse to emerge in 2006 stronger than ever.
In 1966 the club was formed through the local Scout movement under the name “Guildford Cubs.” Playing at the Granville
& Districts Soccer Football Association’s grounds at Auburn the club had two teams – under 10 and under 11. The new club’s uniform was based on the scout movement’s colours of green and gold, and consisted of a yellow t-shirt with a green stripe down one side, green shorts and white socks.
In 1967 the club grew to five teams after a constitutional change opened membership to people from outside the scout movement, and Ray Marshall Reserve at South Granville became the home ground.
A year later the club registered it’s first senior team. This initiated a name change, as the seniors were reluctant to play under the name “Cubs.” So Cubs made way for the more senior “Rangers,” maintaining the link with the scout movement but giving the seniors a moniker they could live with. The first uniform change also happened this year with a move to green shirts, white shorts and green socks.
1969 saw another home ground change with a move to a park on Pitt Street at Merrylands. This was a temporary home whilst the club’s new grounds were being built at Foray Street Guildford West. The park on Pitt Street had no lights so training was held at Tom Uren Park at Guildford West, now home to Greystanes Churches Soccer Club. .
The club’s new home, known as West Guildford Sports Ground, was opened in 1970 and that year saw another name change. Ready to enter a team in the “Federation” competition the club had to choose another name as there was already a Guildford side playing in the comp – Guildford County. The name Holroyd was chosen with the “Rangers” title maintained and the club became known as Holroyd Rangers Soccer and Recreation Club, reflecting the club’s involvement in other sports, particularly netball and cricket, which began at this time.
Throughout the remainder of the seventies the club continued to grow and achieve mixed success. Like all small clubs it was difficult to field teams in the higher divisions and so the better players would leave for greener pastures with clubs who could offer first division sides. The senior squads remained strong however with many players returning to play their adult years with their childhood club.
By the mid eighties however the club’s numbers had started to decline and in 1986 the club reached a crisis when it couldn’t field enough sides to continue it’s affiliation with Granville Association. The committee instead of seeking special consideration from GDSFA decided to affiliate with the Southern Districts Association and the move away from Granville nearly finished the club. Fortunately they re-affiliated with Granville the following year and the club started a period of rebuilding.
Throughout the eighties and early nineties the club had persisted with uniforms that were variations of the green shirt/white shorts combination but in 1995 a new committee decided a new look was in order and a uniform with a predominantly white shirt and green shorts/white socks was adopted.
The next few years were particularly unstable for the club, with a constantly changing committee, the departure in 1996 of founding President, Trevor South, and the near collapse of the club at the end of 1998 when almost the entire committee moved on.
Amid rumour of the clubs demise at the start of the 1999 season, life member and club legend, John Holland, along with some of the coaches from the previous year got together and ensured the Rangers would continue.
In a show of great faith in this new, young committee, John and his wife Greta made the decision to retire from their beloved club and move to the Central Coast at the end of the ’99 season. They were deservedly recognised for their outstanding contribution to football with the Association’s club person of the year award in 1999.
In 2001 the club enjoyed arguably its best season ever. With more teams than ever before, (16)including a ladies squad, a new modern uniform that still managed to respect the club’s traditional green and gold colours, and a committee determined to make the club a leading force in local football
In December 2002, after repeated vandalism, the club facilities were burned down. This began a difficult period for the club trying to maintain a viable soccer club while operating from temporary buildings.
In 2004 the first girls team (under 12’s) was formed. This grew to include anunder 14’s girls team in 2005.May 2005 saw the long awaited completion of the clubs facilities.
In 2005 with 17 teams and new club facilities the club continued to move forward.
……..To be continued
