Sport

Soccer club’s 80th

May 8, 2019
☐ Lidcombe Congs Under 10s side from 1960: Ray “Curly” James (Coach at rear), Gordon Rosevear (standing from left), Wayne Rudgley, Gary James (captain), Greg Clark, Kevin Toms, Greg Rodwell, Graham Hillyard, Alan Weeks, Stephen Zoeller, Graham Teale and (sitting) Greg Rosevear.

LIDCOMBE Churches (Congs) Soccer club is celebrating its 80th year in 2019 with an Anniversary Dinner being held in June and all players and supporters are invited to attend.

Formed in 1939 by Ted James, the club is still playing in the Churches Football Association 80 years later with teams ranging from the Under 6s to All Age sides and three senior teams.
Overcoming a lack of players in the late 1950s, the club reformed in 1960 when it fielded an Under 10s side coached by Ted’s son, Ray ‘Curly’ James.
Since then the club has enjoyed many successes both on and off the field and is the longest surviving club in the Association.

☐ The 1966 All Age side that won the Churches Association Second Division competition and followed this up by taking out the First Division in 1967. (Standing from left): Bill Stevens (Manager), Neil Rudgley, Stan Shrimpton, Dennis Antill, Robert Eagleson, George Brown and Ray Turnbull. (Sitting): Peter James, Barry Thornton, Ron Hollebone, Jim Guild (captain), Barry Williams and Allan Nicholas.
☐ The victorious Lidcombe Churches (Congs) first grade side celebrates after its Grand Final victory over Kings Old Boys (White) in 2018. The team included Aydin Agar, Baris Agi, Ali Boyaci, Carlos Andres Correa Garcia, Will Courtwood, Mitchell Gerstner, Hussein Ghassani, Matthew Hyde, Mat James, Daniel Kratz, Murtaza Ibrahimi, Christopher May, Chris Morgan, Marcus Pinson, Trent Smith (coach) and Desimir Stankovich,


Ted’s grandson and Curly’s son Ken is still very involved in the club as a coach, after playing over 650 games (Curley played over 600).
“My sons Stephen and Mathew have played over 600 and my youngest Daniel has played over 500,” Ken said.
“Their children are also involved in the club so that’s five generations of our family that have been dedicated to seeing the club improve and grow; we all love our soccer, it must be something in the genes.”


With the Anniversary Dinner planned for Saturday, June 8, at Blacktown Workers Club, tickets and enquiries can be made through Ken on 0478 887438 or Neil Rudgley on 0410 120115. For further info, you can also email: 80th@lidcombechurchessoccer.com.

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