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User:Happyhamburgers/Croydon Rangers

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Croydon Rangers
Full nameCroydon Rangers Gridiron Club
NicknameRangers
SportGridiron (American Football)
Founded1984
First season1984
LeagueGridiron Victoria
Home groundSpringfield Reserve
Croydon Victoria
PresidentTony O'Sullivan
Head coachMark Fairweather
CaptainRichard Garraway
20103rd of 5
Strip
Dark Green Jersey, Silver Pants and Silver Helmet

The Croydon Rangers are an American football team from Croydon, a Melbourne suburb of Victoria, Australia, who compete in the Gridiron Victoria league.

History

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In 1983 at Monash University a group of students and friends formed the Monash Vipers gridiron club. Monash Vipers made contact with two other clubs in Victoria: the Melbourne Steelers and Frankston Outlaws. The first organised game in Victoria was between three teams who played against New South Wales team. The first Victorian game was between the Vipers and Steelers, with Vipers winning 8-7.

In the late 1983 early 1984 the Monash Vipers Committee, having little response from the University (with regards to grounds and assistance) moved to Croydon, as the Croydon Council were able to provide them a playing ground. In early 1984 Croydon - together with the Steelers, Outlaws and Geelong Wildcats - formed the Victorian Gridiron Football League with 1984 being the inaugural American Gridiron Football season in Victoria.

The Rangers played their first season at Ainslie Park in Croydon. The first year was played without pads or helmets with Outlaws defeating Rangers 12-0 in the inaugural Vic Bowl.

January 1985 the first fully equipped (pads, helmets etc.) game was played at VFL Park in front of 30,000 plus crowd between Victoria and New South Wales (Victoria winning 16-6) as a curtain raiser to the Wyoming Cowboys and Utep Miners.

On Sunday, June 6th 2010 the Rangers defeated the Berwick Miners 38-0 to win their 200th club game.

On Saturday, July 31st 2010 Tom Kinloch played his 250th game for the Croydon Rangers who defeated the Western Crusaders 14-12.

Club records

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  • VIC BOWL's: 1997 (Vic Bowl XIII), 1998 (Vic Bowl XIV), 2004 (Vic Bowl XX)
  • Senior Championships: 1995 (Gridiron Association of Victoria)
  • Riddell Bowl (Junior Championships): 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005 & 2010
  • Games Record Holder: Tom Kinloch 250 (1990 - Present)
  • Most Club MVP Awards: Steve Churchill (6);[1] Michael Smith (6)[2]
  • Life Members: Mick Smith, Bruce Gessey, Heath Morrison, Dean Jackson, Brendon Bowe, Kevin Collins, Elise Collins, Peter Davies

Team MVP

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Steve Churchill a six time team MVP for the Croydon Rangers (2000-2005).
Year Player
1984 R.Bencraft
1985 R.Bencraft
1986 M.Smith
1987 M.Smith
1988 K.Raines
1989 M.Smith
1990 M.Smith
1991 C.Francisco
1992 M.Smith / C.Buckle
1993 M.Lumley
1994 M.Smith
1995 A.Douglas
1996 B.Bowe
1997 C.Buckle
1998 C.Bowe
1999 C.Bowe
2000 S.Churchill
2001 S.Churchill
2002 S.Churchill
2003 S.Churchill / J. Davidson
2004 S.Churchill
2005 S.Churchill
2006 M.Ursu
2007 A.Collins / R.Garraway / N.Oliver
2008 N.Oliver
2009 J.Penny / J.Stafford
2010 R.Garraway

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Steve Churchill MVP for 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
  2. ^ Michael Smith MVP for 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994
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