Macarthur Rams FC
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Full name | Macarthur Rams Football Club | |
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Nickname(s) | Rams | |
Founded | 1984 | |
Ground | Lynwood Park | |
Capacity | 20,000 | |
Chairman | Darcey Lound | |
Coach | Lee Sterrey | |
League | NPL NSW 2 | |
Website | Club home page | |
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Macarthur Rams F.C. is an Australian soccer team based in Campbelltown, New South Wales. The club currently competes in the second division National Premier Leagues NSW 2, playing home fixtures at Lynwood Park. They were the champions of SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 Soccer League 2014.
About
The idea of forming a football association south of the crossroads at Liverpool was first discussed in 1979. The Macarthur District Soccer Football Association was formed in 1983, and in 1984 it became an incorporated body within Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly municipalities.
In the Association's inaugural year, 20 clubs were registered with the Association: Bradbury Ambarvale, Burragorang, Camcraft, Camden Tigers, Campbelltown City, Campbelltown Police Boys, Campbelltown Collegians, Campbelltown Districts (now Gunners United), Campbelltown RSL, Eschol Park, Ingleburn RSL, Johnson & Johnson & K Lions (now Leppington Lions), Macarthur Raiders, Macquarie Fields United (now Fields United), Minto, Narellan, Tahmoor Nepean Rovers, Picton Rangers and Ruse. Thirteen clubs moved from the Southern Districts Association, three clubs from the Southern Highlands Association, and five new clubs were formed.
Since the Association's inception, clubs have passed by the way due to various reasons and have made way for new clubs. Clubs newer to the Association are Appin, Camden Falcons Soccer Club, Campbelltown Southern Districts, Campbelltown Uniting Church, St Mary's Eaglevale, Douglas Park, Campbelltown Condors, East Campbelltown, Mount Annan and Harrington Park. The 25 clubs make the Association strong, providing football for some 8000 players and officials.
Over the years, clubs supported the Super League outside the control of the MDSFA with some mixed success. In 1987, Campbelltown City Soccer Club and Campbelltown Districts Soccer Club amalgamated, forming Campbelltown City and Districts Soccer Club, which opened the door for negotiations between the Federation club of the area and the MDSFA. This led to the agreement between the MDSFA and Campbelltown City and Districts Soccer Club on the change in colours of both bodies, which made an identifiable step of furthering soccer and providing a career path for better players. Campbelltown City and Districts played out of Bensley Road Complex and the Junior Representative Teams (Junior and Youth League) played out of Lynwood Park, St Helen's Park, which is now the Headquarters and home ground of the Association. The Super League and the Association colours were changed to grey tops, maroon shorts and maroon socks.
Ron Dine, a soccer pioneer of the area, passed away in 1986. Although Dine never served on the Association as a Committee member, he gave advice and presented medals. Ponderosa Park (formerly the home of the Association) was renamed Ron Dine Memorial Reserve in his honour.
During the 1991 season, the Campbelltown City and Districts Soccer Club approached the MDSFA to discuss the transfer of their Federation team to the control of the Association. After an agreement had been reached between the parties, the Association approached the NSW Soccer Federation to ratify the agreement. From the 1992 season, the Macarthur Rams became the Federation team representing the Association, which boosted the profile of soccer in the Macarthur area and provided a goal for the young players in the District and a career path for the more talented players.
For the 2008 season, the Macarthur Rams will be competing in the NSW Premier League competition for both Senior Men's and Youth League. The Association will be entering teams in the Metropolitan League which caters for Under 11's and 12's.
During the 2013 season, the club competed in the National Premier Leagues.
Notable players
- Evan Berger - Melbourne Victory
- Justin Garland - Brisbane Roar
- Adrian Karakolevski - Newcastle Jets
- Glen Trifiro - Central Coast Mariners
- Darko Vidovic - Central Coast Mariners
- Greg Dickinson - Australia
- Matthew Thompson - Melbourne Heart - Australia
- Paul Reid - Adelaide United - Australia
- Matt Osman - Gold Coast United
- Wely Al-Rikabi - Sydney FC
- Kosta Barbarouses
- Roy Bell
- David Carney - Australia
- Brett Emerton - Australia
- Heather Garriock - Australia
- Steven Old
- Chad Taylor
- Adam Whither
- Michael Brown
- Shannon Hankin
- Craig Cooley
- Cole Tinkler
- Sarah Walsh - Australia
- Shane Cansdell-Sherriff
- Leena Khamis - Australia