sandown cobras
football club

CLUB HISTORY

A PROUD PAST A BRIGHT FUTURE

1984 - 1989

In 1984, the Sandown Football Club was in trouble. With very few juniors, the players of the passed years had either ceased footy or were on their last legs. A junior club from Mulgrave had an abundance of players who had no senior clubs to go to once they completed their junior days. The two committees met and decided to amalgamate the club under the banner of South Waverley - Sandown Football club. The junior club continued its success having two sides for each age group including under 9's. The seniors side during 84-85 was struggling to be competitive. However, good news was just around the corner.

In 1986, a new broom swept through the committee under the stewardship of Phil Akers. The committee was made up of Sandown people with the assistance of junior parents. Many changes were made and former BF winner Roger Andrew was appointed senior coach. Roger was able to introduce discipline to the senior club. He encouraged younger group of players to mix with other players and the side became successful. This resulted in the seniors in the 1st semi final. A highlight of the season was the winner of our BF Tom Fowler who also won the leagues 4th Div BF.

In 1987, with the hard work done by Roger, the club decided to obtain the service of Peter Bryan as playing coach. The side started well but had some had consistency concerns during mid season. Peter was able to blend the previous playing group with a crop of previous under 18 players such as Boonkamp, Ridder and Lewis. The side went on to win the premiership from third position whilst the reserves finished runners up to produce the club's best performance in many a year.

In 1988, in third division, the side maintained a very good level but did not make the finals. With the demise of Peter Bryan's ability to maintain his hard work and the loss of some players, the side fell down the ladder and finished back in 4th Div for season 89.

1990 - 1996

Whist the juniors continued to provide very good sides and players went on to play senior footy, the club had a somewhat rocky road during the early 90's.

In 1990, the committee obtained the services of a group of people from the Norwood Footy club and was coached by Peter Sheehan. The side lifted and played in the preliminary final. The season saw Greg Dooley win his 2nd BF trophy.

In 1991, a change of tact by the members saw a new committee come in. We saw the demise of a very good side, as boardroom troubles flowed onto the playing arena. The side lost many of their second round games to finish second last.

1992 - 93 were building years for the club under coaches B Skilton (92) and John Adams (93, 94 and 95).

1994, the club had picked up handy footballers with many players who had completed their junior days. It was written proof that the early amalgamation was successful. However, signs started to appear that the junior players were beginning to diminish in North Springvale and Mulgrave areas. The senior side played in the 94 GF and the 95 preliminary final. Many believed that a fight that caused the club some real concerns had an impact on the players' performance leading into the 95 finals. Adams decided to retire in 96 and the club under new coach "nifty" had high expectations.

1996 - The Southern Cobras, The Club started well but fell in a hole towards the end of the season and finished in 6th position. Many players took the opportunity to play in the reserves that year and played in the 1st semi final.

In late 96, the club decided to bring the members of all committees and supporters together and under the banner of a think tank, and made a decision that would have a major impact on the club for the next few years. It was felt that due to the fight that had occurred in 95, the club needed a new imagine and decided to change the name to Sth Waverley - Sandown Southern Cobras FC, playing as Southern Cobras.

They also went on a drive to obtain a coach who had a profile and was successful in his playing days. Good work by the then President Stephen Rowney, who was able to obtain the service of former junior star and Dandenong premiership player Ian Atkinson. Ian was able to bring selective players and regroup our former junior players such as McDermmott, Scholes Bros, Ioannidis, Mark Binns, David Duffield, Hunt, Brien Todd, Leigh Bowler, Elliott Esmonde and J Adams (former coach). The side won 13 games straight before its first loss and went on to win the grand final against Waverley. Many highlights occurred that season such as Ian Atkinson winning club's and league's BF and Don Elliott kicked over 100 goals during the season.

In 1998, with additional players, the side gave what was the best account of themselves by going up a division and finished 4th to win two final games and play off in the GF, but were beaten by 4 goals. It was truly a great effort. Again, Ian Atkinson won both club's and league's BF.

1999, was a disappointing year for the club both off and on field. Expectations fell apart. Ian Atkinson decided at the end of the year to retire and the playing group was for some reason not confident that the club could attract another high profile coach. The committee tried in vain but with the vibes already out, the club entered its darkest days and was not able to field a senior side in 2000.

2001 - 2005

The Club was able to restart in 2001 in the EFL. Under the coaching of Pat Henwood, we fielded two senior sides but were unable to win a game of footy. The club made a decision to change league to the SFL in order to give our players some chance to compete.

2002, we won eight games and finished 5th. Pat decided to retire at the conclusion of that season.

2003, the club appointed Brien Todd in 2003. The side improved with former juniors such as Ash Scholes, Arron McDermott and others making comebacks. We finished on top of the ladder after the home and away, but failed to win a finals game.

2004, with almost the same side, we made the finals again but ran out of legs in the 1st semi final. Brian retired at season's end, and along with other retirements, the path was going to be rocky for the following seasons.

2005, the club secured the signature of Stephen Jasiak as senior coach along with Robbie Kreskas as assist coach and Mick Rossborough as reserves coach all from Tooronga Malvern FC. Stephen's job was made almost impossible from the start with a new playing list, injuries to key players such as the previous year's BF (Daniel Brown) and many others, retirements and just no luck at all. The club won 6 games and finished in 7th position, while the reserves had an up & down season but showed improvement with a few close defeats that proved the difference between top & bottom 4.

At the AGM of 2005, a motion was put forward to change the name to Sth Waverley-Sandown Cobras FC playing under Sandown Cobras. The motion was carried.

2006, The club was able to maintain the services of the 2005 coaching staff and with a number of key signatures for the 2006 season, the Cobras are up & running again.

2008, The Cobras had a bunch of new faces across the club, and was able to field a seniors & reserves team all year, which initially was thought to be a hard task. Whilst on field success was minimal, Sandown was building a structure which would provide improvement within the club throughout the year.

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