Time to reflect and learn from past Ipswich glories

IT is always a sad time when Ipswich loses someone who made a valuable contribution to Ipswich sport.

Matt Carson has left a legacy of how to achieve success. Picture: Contributed

IT'S always a sad time when Ipswich loses someone who made a valuable contribution to regional sport.

Former Ipswich United football coach Matt Carson was such a person.

His record of achievement in the round ball game has never been matched in the city after his central part in Ipswich's glory era in the 1980s.

Carson guided Ipswich United to a rare double in 1985 - the Brisbane premiership and grand final victory.

That came after his teams won the Ampol Cup in 1983 and Brisbane competition grand finals in 1982 and 1984.

It was a wonderful time in Ipswich football.

As a young sports journo starting in Ipswich, I'll never forget being called down to the Racehorse Hotel at Bundamba on my first day in October, 1984.

Then sports editor Peter Gardiner said the Ipswich United boys were celebrating a magic moment and the QT was going to cover it.

Ipswich United had just won another Brisbane grand final.

As the beer flowed at the popular sporting pub, it was clear this was one of the city's great sporting teams of its time.

It had a mix of loyal, seasoned local talent, strengthened by some handpicked Brisbane imports.

As former player Brett Kitching correctly highlighted earlier this week, that was Carson's strength. His ability to take local talent and bring in the right outsiders to take his teams to the next level.

That is a lesson all Ipswich representative senior teams can benefit from.

While developing local talent must be the number one priority, it has become necessary these days to find the right imports to have any chance of elite success.

The Ipswich Force men's and women's state league basketball teams have achieved this in recent seasons, making finals with home-grown talent and American imports.

Force continues to bring on exciting young talent as can be seen on both team's benches this year.

Meanwhile, the Ipswich Jets have shown how to match the best by bringing the Ipswich Rugby League competition's best players into the successful structure overseen by Walker brothers Shane and Ben.

Western Pride have gone the other way with a largely youthful team representing the region in this year's National Premier Leagues competition. However, it is clear the emphasis is on retaining as many locally-produced players as possible. New head coach Karl Dodd brings a wealth of knowledge benefitting the rising footballers.

The Ipswich Knights, formed from Ipswich United (St Helen's) and Coalstars during the Carson glory years, remain a proud local club. However, the Knights too have needed outside help this year to remain competitive in the Brisbane Premier League.

As Carson's life was celebrated at this morning's funeral, it was important to value his contribution and remember his achievements.

Thanks Matt. May Ipswich see more of your kind in the future, keen to help our local sportspeople achieve their dreams.