Stanthorpe Carlton United Football Club

ion developed between the two teams and at the season’s end Inter and the Inter ‘Wolves’ met in the Grand Final. At the start of the 1974 season, the International Football Club Executives decided that they would take several of the better players from the Inter ‘Wolves’ to replace retiring players from the Inter Club side. Inter ‘Wolves’ were dissatisfied with this decision and it was decided that they would form their own club. Team players approached Marty Driscol from O’Mara’s Hotel to sponsor the team and Marty accepted. At the time, O’Mara’s Hotel was owned by Carlton United Breweries which in turn formed the name of the new club called Stanthorpe Carlton United Football Club. Maroon and Blue with a white trim was selected as team colours and the Black Bear was to be the Clubs mascot. With the drawing up of a new constitution, Shane Dullahide was elected as President and Head Coach. Jo Piovesan was elected Treasurer and Len Girgenti was elected Secretary. Carlton United Bears commenced the 1974 season with a squad of sixteen players. The team included Shane Dullahide (Captain Coach), Mario Torrisi, Ross Johnson, John Tomkins, Joe Vedelago, Gino Cabria, Joe Piovesan, Angelo Maugeri, Len Girgenti, Santo Cavallaro, David Johnson, Peter Sommerville (Goal Keeper), Joe Borg, Tony Cavallaro, Vic Pennisi and Cliff Bruce. The 1974 Grand Final featured the newly formed Carlton Bears side and arch rivals Inter Club in a titanic tussle, Carlton came out victors by two goals to one. From 1974 and 1985 the Club was virtually run by the players and during that period Carlton United managed to win nine premierships namely 1974, 1978, 1981, 1983 and 1985. The 1979 season was perhaps Carlton United’s biggest disappointment when they went through the season undefeated and then lost the Grand Final by four goals to tow to Tenterfield. The Bears greatest victory besides the 1974 Grand Final was the 1983 Grand Final against Stanthorpe City. At half time Carlton United were down three goals to nil after three penalties were awarded to City and the team was also down to nine players with two player sent from the field. In true Carlton spirit the mighty Bears clawed their way back to a draw at three all. In those days there were no penalty shootouts so a replay was rescheduled. Before the biggest crowd ever assembled at a local Football match in Stanthorpe, the mighty Bears prevailed by three goals to two in extra time. Two years after the Carlton United Bears formed a second division side called the Carlton Cubs and they also went on to win three premierships. Over the years the format of the competition changed to an under 17’s Colts Division and in the late 70’s a Ladies side was created and named the Carlton Cuddlies followed by a second division side called the Carlton Grizzlies. From 1986 onwards the A-Grade side remained competitive and featured in a few Grand Finals. However it was not until 2005 that the Bears were able to win another premiership. The team coached by Mario Torrisi defeated Stanthorpe United by one goal to nil. In the last ten years our Men's, Ladies and Colts sides have featured in many Finals and Grand Finals. Carlton and the other Stanthorpe clubs have welcomed juniors to their ranks. The Junior sides kick off the day’s proceedings with sides featuring in the Under 6's, 7's, a combined 8/9's, combined 10/11's, Fillies (girls only) and Junior Colts team now gracing the Carlton colours. Tenterfield and Warwick have re-joined the competition in the senior ranks. The Club has nine life member including our first President Shane Dullahide, our current patron John Finocchiaro, Len Girgenti, Vic Pennisi, Santo Cavallaro, Joe Torrisi, Mario Torrisi, Greg Thouard and Gino Cabria.