Football in Upper Lansdowne
The first mention in the newspapers of a football club in Upper Lansdowne is on 7 September 1912 when Upper Lansdowne met Comboyne at Comboyne and won by 5 to 3.
It is also mentioned on 7 Feb 1913 that a Koppin Yarratt Football Club held its annual meeting. In May 1913 Koppin Yarratt Football Club beat Oxley Island 12 to nil.
A football match was played at Upper Lansdowne between teams representing the Grand United and Manchester Unity Friendly Societies in September 1922, the victor being the MUIOOF 32 to 11.
The Lower Manning Football League included teams from Coopernook, Moorland, Croki, Langley Vale, Lansdowne and Upper Lansdowne.
On 27 Apr 1923 it is mentioned that Upper Lansdowne had first and second grade teams in the Lower Manning Rugby League.
In 1926 Paddy McCabe presented a shield to the Lower Manning League. It was contested seven times with Moorland winning on four occasions, Langley Vale, Coopernook and Upper Lansdowne were each successful once.
In June 1928 a second grade football club was organised and was being coached and captained by Mr Arthur Quinlivan a noted player.
In Nov 1928 Upper Lansdowne wins First Grade Lower Manning Premiership. A social and dance was held in the Upper Lansdowne Hall when the McCabe shield was presented to the club. The team was coached by Mr Arthur Quinlivan and it was their first entry into first grade football.
In Nov 1929 Upper Lansdowne played Moorland in the McCabe shield final. It was a 3 all draw.
The competition came to an end when Cundle played Coopernook at Coopernook. The referee sent 5 Cundle players off and the Cundle captain decided to take the rest of his side off and go home. The McCabe shield went with them and was never played for again. The shield was eventually unearthed and hung in the Airport Tavern.
In 1930 Upper Lansdowne Footballers held an annual ball where presentation of medals were made to the second grade team.
The Upper Lansdowne B Grade footballers led by their captain Eddie Noonan were presented with cups on 25 September 1931 after winning the knock-out competition at Lansdowne. The names of the recipients were Eddie Noonan (captain), Fred Sewell, W Holbert, Frank Noonan, Jim McLaughlin, Reg Carmody, Vic Sonter, Cecil Hardes, F Burdekin, Arnold McLaughlin, Barney Minnett, Mike Hogan Joe Cicolini, Clarrie Hardes. Again they were coached by Arthur Quinlivan.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940 there is mention of an Upper Lansdowne Football team. In 1934 Upper Lansdowne played Johns River in the Gulley Cup.
Then in 1944 Upper Lansdowne defeated Mitchells Island 11 to nil – this time in the Graham Cup.
By the 1950s there is only mention of a Lansdowne club.
Compiled by Gloria Crittenden May 2025