Douglas United FC
The Club's History
Douglas United Football Club started life as Mossman Soccer Club with games played at the Mossman High School field.
The first competitive game was held in 1968, coached by ex Dutch International Peter Hills. In 1977 Peter Hills, Vic Bertoncini, Sam Brischetto and Ray Rex formed a Junior Club with 5 teams.
In 1978 Ray Rex formed the senior division of the club and successfully coached the emerging club for its first 3 years, winning two Second Division premierships and the coveted Bush Pilots Cup.
Dave Watson, an English International, succeeded Ray Rex and coached for a year, followed by Australian Indoor Goal Keeper Paul Kennedy.
Volunteers and keen parents of soccer kids worked hard to secure the grounds located at Cassowary Park in the 1980's, which the cricket club at the time. After much effort - in particular the Rex and Bertoncini families - and assisted by Douglas Shire Council and Mossman Central Mill, the Cassowary soccer pitch was created.
The pitch is now regarded as one of the best in North Queensland.
Victor Bertoncini and his business were major sponsors of the club in its early days. Bev Gwynne spent many years coaching and sitting on the Executive committee; Joe Noli served 10 years as Club President.
Other local identities involved in the formation and development of the club included the Assmans, Mantus, Duncans, Brichetto, Scarcell, Maranos, McGuckins, Verris and Rasmussen families.
Fund-raising by club members and the various committees throughout the ensuing years, along with the assistance of grants from various organisations has established a clubhouse with facilities that include a member's bar and kitchen, team change rooms and a caretaker's residence.
The main playing field, under night lights, allows evening training and games. A training field (with lighting due to be completed in 2008) and several Rooball and Junior playing fields rival the standard set by our counterparts in Cairns and the Tablelands.
The club has demonstrated a strong commitment to be involved with the local community and to provide an environment to deliver access to playing football both locally and intra-club.
The promotion of the most popular sport in the world has been achieved through community participation, sponsorship and funding grants.
The first competitive game was held in 1968, coached by ex Dutch International Peter Hills. In 1977 Peter Hills, Vic Bertoncini, Sam Brischetto and Ray Rex formed a Junior Club with 5 teams.
In 1978 Ray Rex formed the senior division of the club and successfully coached the emerging club for its first 3 years, winning two Second Division premierships and the coveted Bush Pilots Cup.
Dave Watson, an English International, succeeded Ray Rex and coached for a year, followed by Australian Indoor Goal Keeper Paul Kennedy.
Volunteers and keen parents of soccer kids worked hard to secure the grounds located at Cassowary Park in the 1980's, which the cricket club at the time. After much effort - in particular the Rex and Bertoncini families - and assisted by Douglas Shire Council and Mossman Central Mill, the Cassowary soccer pitch was created.
The pitch is now regarded as one of the best in North Queensland.
Victor Bertoncini and his business were major sponsors of the club in its early days. Bev Gwynne spent many years coaching and sitting on the Executive committee; Joe Noli served 10 years as Club President.
Other local identities involved in the formation and development of the club included the Assmans, Mantus, Duncans, Brichetto, Scarcell, Maranos, McGuckins, Verris and Rasmussen families.
Fund-raising by club members and the various committees throughout the ensuing years, along with the assistance of grants from various organisations has established a clubhouse with facilities that include a member's bar and kitchen, team change rooms and a caretaker's residence.
The main playing field, under night lights, allows evening training and games. A training field (with lighting due to be completed in 2008) and several Rooball and Junior playing fields rival the standard set by our counterparts in Cairns and the Tablelands.
The club has demonstrated a strong commitment to be involved with the local community and to provide an environment to deliver access to playing football both locally and intra-club.
The promotion of the most popular sport in the world has been achieved through community participation, sponsorship and funding grants.