The 1997 Coalstars first grade team that played their last home game at Bundamba before the club was dissolved and merged with St Helens to form the Ipswich Knights. Pictured are Wayne Mitchell (vice-president), Michael Cassidy, Brenley Jefferd, Wes Parks, Marcello Cuba, Pat Boyle, Peter McKendrick, Peter Hinks, Wayne Adams, Ross Hallett (president), Don Stenzel (manager), Lorraine Weatherby (trainer), Paul Barry (coach), Darren Petie, Andrew King (captain), Richie Hilli, Fraser Cuba and Mark Bennett.
AS the last Coalstars club president, Ross Hallett knows the importance of preserving history and celebrating wonderful football milestones.
That will be the case on July 7 when people from former Ipswich club Coalstars commemorate the 60th anniversary.
The reunion, at the Ipswich Knights venue at Bundamba, will relive a memorable era.
That includes the historic 1997 season – the last time Coalstars teams played before merging with St Helens to become the Ipswich Knights in 1998.
“We would love to see the clubhouse full of familiar faces dressed in blue and red [Coalstars traditional colours] catching up with old friends and celebrating this special 60th year reunion,” Hallett said.
“In all the 33 years (1964-97), there was only three years that we never played in the top division in Brisbane.”
Hallett was the final club president serving from 1995-97.
He said one of the most successful years was in 1986 when the Mark McNaughton-captained first grade side won the Ampol Cup, Presidents Cup and grand final.
“That was probably one of the best teams we ever had,” Hallett said.
“They just missed out on winning the premiership by a point.”
The club’s Reserve Grade side were premiers and grand final winners that year.
Hallett also recalled how Coalstars had 25 junior sides at one stage while being a leading Queensland club developing women’s footballers. Coalstars produced seven Australian players led by Michelle Sawyers.
“It was a really strong club and it was a great family club. Everyone wanted to work and contribute,” Hallett said.
The Coalstars Reserve Grade team that played in the final games before amalgamation. Pictured are Scott Stenzel, Dale Ward, Ross Mitchell, Andrew Ogden, Lance Wilson, Steven Wilkes, Ken Caldwell, Jason Rienhardt, Steven Hughes, Peter Hallett and Kyle Miller.
Among the festivities on July 7 is a Coalstars Old Boys game, being played before the main Football Queensland Premier League 2 match between the Knights and Maroochydore.
Players who want to share in that game can call Peter Hallett on 0409 201077.
A memorabilia display, including photos and trophies from 1964-1997, is planned, along with a rendition of the Coalstars team song.
A guard of honour for past players will also be held before the main game.
Ross and those organizing the reunion are expecting former members from far and wide to catch up and celebrate the occasion.
The final Coalstars home game at Bundamba was the second last match before the club was dissolved in preparation for the amalgamation with St Helens to form the Ipswich Knights.
The historic encounter was Coalstars versus Rochedale in August 1997.
On the day that match was played, the Blackstone Rovers under-18 players were at the clubhouse celebrating the 25th anniversary since winning the Brisbane competition in 1962.
The undefeated team that year also won the Stewart Shield competition which was open to all teams with players aged up to under 21.
In 1964, the Coalstars under-18 team replicated the Blackstone Rovers feat two years earlier. They combined with Blackstone Rovers players to field a core group of players that would ensure a strong competitive Coalstars team for almost a decade.
As many premiership achievements are celebrated on July 7, past Coalstars people like player Dave Wheeler, coach Frank Pimblett and former player/president Mike Rule will also be remembered after passing recently.
