Early History
Casey Comets History
Casey Comets was originally known as Cranbourne Soccer Club.
Cranbourne Soccer Club was started in May 1975 by Peter Giles, with the help of Steve Comber and Johnny Spink. Eleven boys attended the first training session at Cranbourne State School.
The Club was officially inaugurated at a public meeting chaired by Councillor Campbell on the 2nd June, 1975
The Foundation Committee was:
G Whitmore – Chairman
A Edmonds – Treasurer
P Giles – Secretary
S Goldie, J Comber, S Comber, B Eaton and P Gibbon and later joined by J Mort and J Hosey
Home games were played at Cranbourne State School whilst training took place also at this school and also Cranbourne North State School grounds.
At the end of the year, a new ground was seeded at Grant Street. Sixty nine boys had registered with the Club with teams in U8’s, U9’s, U10’s and U12’s. There was a Senior Men’s team and also a Fathers & Coaches team.
By 1976, the Club had 6 junior teams participating in the Peninsula league and the Club started to gain support.
The Grant Street ground was opened on the second week of the season and from then on all Home games were played there.
Later in the year, an area in O’Tooles Road was allocated to the Club for a permanent ground and by the end of the year, work had begun in clearing the land. The Club had 90 boys registered by year end.
In 1977, Cranbourne entered an official Senior team into a competition for the first time.
The Committee unfortunately had to accept the resignation of foundation Chairman, Graham Whitmore due to ill health. The role was taken up by the then Treasurer, Ray Edmonds and the role name changed to that of President.
No further work was able to be carried out at O’Tooles Road and therefore the U’s, U8’s and also the Seniors had to train in the centre of the trotting track at the Racecourse. Fortunately floodlights were installed at Grant Street for the Seniors to continue training there.
1977 saw 7 Junior teams participate in the Peninsula league. A building committee was formed and plans were begun for a Clubroom at O’Tooles Road.
Graham Whitmore was made the Clubs first Life Member with Ray Edmonds the second.
The Club continued to grow in 1978 with 10 junior teams and were entered into the Victorian Soccer Federation Leagues. The Club also had their first League winners with the U13’s winning the Peninsula League Division B.
O’Tooles Road was levelled by the Council and a building fund set up for the construction of a social club.
Into 1979, work proceeded slowly at O’Tooles Road. The Grant Street ground was deemed unfit to play matches on and a second pitch was put in the Centre of the trotting track and all home games were played there.
On the field, the Club had its most successful year since its beginning with 3 Junior teams winning their leagues. There were 2 senior teams entered into the District Leagues.
On Saturday 9th June 1979, the Club President Raymond Edmonds collapsed and died at his home.
Peter Giles was elected as stand-in President.
In 1980 the long awaited club rooms received the go ahead. The estimated cost was $69,000 with the Club’s share approx $40,000. Work commenced on 11th March, 1980. The playing area was levelled, seeded and the watering system installed. A chain link fence was installed in the June.
The Club rooms were opened on the 2nd August, 1980 with a memorial plaque unveiled by the Shire President Cr Bill Campbell and a friendly match held on the new pitch.
11th August saw the first presentation of the Ray Edwards Memorial Trophy
