The 1980s and 1990s
By the mid 1980’s the Club had 29 registered teams in the Granville Competition. With success achieved both on and off the field, further expansion to the Ground’s development was needed. The ‘old shack’ was becoming outdated and the need for a new amenities building would service the needs of our continually growing Club.
With a major push from President Peter Horvarth (1986) and the strong financial state the Club, a grant was obtained from the Department of Sport and Recreation. Successful lobbying of Holroyd Council saw the new Amenities block built in-between the two fields (replacing the old hill). With senior teams playing in the Federation League, in 1986, the Club was deserving of modern amenities of a good standard. This was a reflection of where the Club was heading.
- In 1980, women’s teams were introduced with the Club fielding three junior teams in the Southern Districts Association. They played in the Liverpool competition with mixed success. Some of these girls went on to play for NSW. Unfortunately, by 1986, numbers had dropped and we were unable to field junior girls’ teams until 1991.
- In 1985, Barry Davis was appointed Club Coach. This role involved training, developing and supporting all the Club’s coaches and players, as required.
- In 1986, the Club’s under 13 division 1 team, coached by Paul Sparkes, won their Champion of Champion’s competition against Revesby Lions, 9 - 1. They followed this by winning this prestigious competition in 1987 also (under 14).
The turn of the ‘nineties’ saw the Club enter a new successful period.
- In 1990, the Club applied for re-entry into the Federation League. After a successful year in the Premier League, the Club was admitted into the Federation Division 6. No one expected that the team would do so well as to win the League in it’s first season (1991), however, they did just that and were promoted into Division 5 for the next season (1992). From there, the squad was very successful, winning the Grand Final in First Grade in the Division 5 competition (1992), Division 4 (1993) and Division 3 (1995). To add to this year’s victory, the First Grade team were also Minor Premiers. The Reserve Grade has also fared well over those years, winning their Grand Final in 1993 (making it a double) and went down in their Grand Final in 1994.
- In 1991, the under 15 Ladies team, coached by John Frogbrook, went through to win their Champion of Champion’s competition.
- 18th August, 1991, Alderman R. N. Downing officially opened the new amenities block which included two big dressing rooms, a large canteen, toilets and storage rooms.
Having senior teams play in the NSW Federation League in the top divisions shows the Club has been very successful. This is especially the case when you see that most of the players in the Federation squad have come up through the junior ranks of the Club. This success has come from the hard work of many dedicated people, from the committee right down to the players and with the continued efforts of all involved with the Club, the future looks very prosperous for the coming years.
Given the rise in popularity of contemporary football (soccer) in Australia and of the national A-league, Club members voted in favour of changing the name of the Club to Greystanes FC Inc. in 2011.
