Modbury Soccer Club celebrates its 50th anniversary
MODBURY Soccer Club was formed after a meeting in a northeast fish and chip shop in 1964 — now the Ridgehaven club is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
NICK James’ first visit to Modbury Soccer Club saw him sweating it out in 42C heat as he tried to catch the eye of his new coach.
Recently arrived from the UK, the recruit turned up to the first pre-season training session of 1973 and was struggling to keep up.
“I wanted to impress but we were doing lap after lap,” James, now 70, recalls.
“There was no fence around the pitch back then so I slipped off the back and went down to the creek where there were about seven players (hiding).
“We waited a few more laps and crept up to the top of the bank, then joined in with the group again.
“I went hell for leather and finished third and the coach was very impressed.”
Four decades on the Jets are preparing to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
The club was formed in 1964 after a meeting in a local fish and chip shop.
It fielded its first senior side in 1965 and added junior teams in the 1980s.
James played at Modbury for five years and later coached the club at every level, leading its senior team into SA soccer’s top flight for the first time in 1985.
“When you come from a new country and you join a club like Modbury you’ve got 50 new mates straight away,” the Modbury resident says.
“It was a tremendous time to be around the club and in those days all the first team players came through the juniors at the club.
“Tuesday night and Thursday night after training, nobody left the club until after midnight.”
The Jets now have more than 250 junior and senior players.
First team captain Paul Reilly says the Ridgehaven club is a special place to play.
“It’s a tight-knit group here and there’s a really good culture at the club,” the 26-year-old goalkeeper says.
“It makes it easy to come to training when everyone is a close group of mates.
“There’s a lot of local people involved at the club and a real community feel.”
Modbury will celebrate its 50th year at Jet Park, Golden Grove Rd, Ridgehaven, on April 5.
All past and present players and members are welcome.
Details: Judy Feeney on 0412 402 453 or modburysc.org.au