Croydon Ranges was formed in 1971 and was at the time formally known Fibremakers United. Initially, the team evolved from a works social football team called Bowater Scott. The players came from various parts of the group of companies and its employees with numbers and interest growing significantly. As a consequence, the Fibremakers group of companies introduced their own teams, with Fibremakers United being one of them.
Initially, the Fibremakers team played intercompany and friendly games with other organisations behind the factory on spare unused land. The group of companies also had sporting and social club facilities which fostered a social and sporting mindset for the employees. The demand and support were such that Fibremakers Utd. joined the new and fledgling Amateur Soccer Federation of Victoria becoming one of its founding member clubs.
Fibremakers the manufacturing company was sold but remains in name as an Industrial park and is found along Canterbury Road in Bayswater. The soccer ground was behind the factory and access was no longer available. The land now houses a warehouse, for Simba selling manchester goods.
Fibremakers found an alternative ground relocating to the centre of Bayswater. Fibremakers Unt then changed its name to Bayswater Park reflecting its new geographical location. Sadly the facilities and ground were poor the club was obliged to seek better facilities and grounds, initially finding an alternative home at Tamara Reserve in Bayswater.
Although the Tamara Reserve facility had better clubrooms and changing facilities it also had limitations with a cricket pitch in the middle of the ground was also susceptible to flooding (on occasions) and only one training light, so far from ideal.
So after a number of years at Tamara Reserve the club again began yet another search. Eventually, Silcock was identified and negotiations with users and the council began. At last, we found terrific clubrooms, grounds and good floodlighting, it seemed like paradise compared to other facilities we had previously used.
When we moved there we changed our name to reflect our new location and became Croydon Park. When the cricket clubs merged to become one entity “Croydon Ranges Cricket Club” we took the opportunity to build bridges with the cricket club adopting the same naming format “Croydon Ranges” now our current name.
In 2021 we celebrated (via Zoom) our 50th year and what a start, given the upgrade completion of our home ground, Silcock Reserve. Four new grass pitches (yes proper grass!) with upgraded drainage and sprinklers , floodlights suitable for games, clubhouse and changing rooms. Some of our vets who have played at Silcock and CRFC for 25+ years are considering playing on for another 25 years. Seriously though, this fantastic setup suits the highest expectation of Juniors/Parents, Womens, Mens and Vets. Importantly the upgraded reserve will better serve the needs the community attending the area.
We want you to be part of the history of CRFC, so register or call now.
Fibremakers earlier club colours were a combination of emerald or bottle green and white shirts, green socks and shorts. This changed due to a number of teams coming into the amateur league also using green and white combinations and the need to avoid clashes of strips.
The Amateur soccer federation of Victoria (ASFV) introduced a requirement for an away strip. In our case, we chose white shirts and kept the emerald green socks and shorts and remained the same till the loss of the Fibremakers facility and move to Bayswater when other colours and strips were gradually introduced.
From 1999, the club introduced a blue and white theme and the strip has been variations of the combination ever since. Vertical stripes were added in 2013-2014 seasons.