WHO ARE THOSE RANGERS?

The Grange Rangers are a local Brisbane soccer team of talented individuals. Formed out of a dream 4 years ago, they entered into reality on March 11^th, 1998.

Their story starts with a the important figure during the year of '96. Playing for a North-Side Commercial League (NCL) side called North Pine, Merrick Peisley attracted to the team by former mentor Paul Crilly, played fullback during 'Pines' glory years. 'Pine' always were a troubled team, led by a combination of Yorkshiremen, Geordies and Australians the team failed to enter Division 1 of the NCL during 1996. After the infamous 'missed' 90^th minute penalty by Dave Sterling, the team was relegated to the NCL's Division 2. Mired with the likes of Bribie Island, Virginia and other provincial teams 'Pine' surprisingly excelled. Good results saw 'Pine' make their first NCL finals appearance. Largely due to the excellence of Chris Wall, a retired wannabe AFL player as goalkeeper, 'Pine' won a hard fought victory against a determined North Star outfit. Although tragedy struck during the major semi-final where Wall received a broken hand during a sickening clash with an opposing attacker, 'Pine' struggled on. Victory was ensured in extra time in the Grand Final after a stunning 'Golden Goal' by Mal Charlton. The good times were seemed here to stay.

Many of footballs legend's have commented that 'what a difference a year makes', and with 'Pine' there was no exception. Convinced of the teams invulnerability, manager Mal Charlton convinced a skeptical NCL to enter the 'champions' into the dizzy heights of Division 1. What seemed like lunacy became a haunting reality, defeat after defeat by a poorly motivated side saw the team numbers drop to unmanageable levels. As it turned out, 1997 was to be 'Pines' last year. Sadly, the results had made the team distraught, several forfeits ensured its quick demise.

However, behind the dark clouds were the silver lining that was required for all success stories. Two friends of Peisley were conscripted into the failing 'Pine' cause. Mark Ellerman and his cousin Troy made their debuts in the disastrous season. Having no experience and thrust into the dizzy heights of Division 1 NCL football, the "Ellermen" learned the skills necessary. Mark came from a tough labor family where might meant right, Troy was the educated engineer that chose the rigors of goalkeeping as his craft. Wanting to express their individual flair, skill and creativity the three men persisted on a field that at times resembled a road base and sand pit. At the seasons end, 'Pine' had little more than 8 registered players. Their existence was at an end.

Many revolutionary thoughts were expressed during the off-season of 97-98. Mark, Merrick and Troy consulted those who had been 'Pine' stalwarts. Dave Sterling, Ray and Paul Crilly (back from outback exploration), and lawyer Rafal Zakrzewski were all instrumental in shaping the 'dream'. A plan was hatched to form a new team at the new base of Goverley Field. Located out of the way and on a soft surface, inquiries were made into the hiring of the field. The reception was positive and team looked certain to have its new home at West Side Soccer Club. Before any plans were to be made an inspection of the fields lights needed to be made, a mere formality it appeared. Delight turned to dismay as the lights illumination was nothing more than a cars headlights stuck to a pole. A contingency plan needed to be hatched and fast.

About this time Troy had decided to take it upon is shoulders to manage the theoretical team. Inquiries were made at Grange Thistle Soccer Club, Brisbane's oldest club of 80 years. Grange were delighted to accommodate a second commercial league team and they were soon established. A plan was hatched to hold a pre-season BBQ where new players were integrated into the team framework. A new sponsor had been found and spirits were high (alcohol induced). However, the sponsor soon withdrew his support and the team, ready to play, was left without a strip of any kind. Grange came to the rescue with the loan of an old strip that would set the Grangers on their way.

The first season of the 'Grangers' was on its way. A typical first round cup exit saw the team slowly take shape. It took time before they won their first game, eventually in a 3-2 victory over North Star. The performance was matched only by the after-match celebrations. Inspired by Patrick Greatrex and other notables, the team performed admirably. Once they had tasted victory they wanted to play better. No doubt the turnaround of the season was at Redcliffe. It was a crisp night, morale was boosted by the admission of a new player Liam Tucker, Greatrex's friend. Redcliffe started the better side and after some uncharacteristic mistakes, they had effectively killed game after the third goal had been scored. After a half time reshuffle and a frank team talk, the 'Grangers' came out firing. Patrick scored a bending shot past the keeper that started the fightback, Greg Crochetti struck another past the keeper off a well rehearsed throwin. The 'Grangers' were on fire and creating chances at will. Liam Tucker had proved to be a crucial midfield find that played no small part to the grand finale of the game. A long ball was played to Dave Sterling, who promptly flicked on for Merrick Peisley to score the equalizing goal. The team went berserk, and even a spirited fightback and some superhuman saves by Troy Ellerman couldn’t stop the Grangers from earning a remarkable 3-3 result. The season provided many such moments of glory, the team combining for a 89^th minute win to send off Patrick Greatrex to Sweden was one such moment.

The next season saw a start contrast to the Grangers inaugural season. In soccer terms, 1999 was 'one of those seasons'. In a year when we broke records, hoo-doos and the odd body part the Grangers consolidated on an ordinary first year. The season started with more organisation and planning than previous years with the traditional BBQ to gather players for the new year. It was not a huge success as a handful turned up to hear the news of the coming year. Recruitment went well…too well for some that saw the squad of 20 as too many. Despite this the team managed to start the season off with some great wins in the pre-season friendly games. The work done early was shown in an excellent NCL cup run with saw us break the hoo-doo of 4 years of round one exits. The team was unlucky to make the semi-finals after losing in extra-time to the Dolphins. The team had more bad luck with Rob Parton out with a career threatening injury to his knee.

The season started as it finished with a good win over the Roosters. The team still had problems in the midfield and it was a problem that had dogged the Grangers for most of the first season. With Liam suffering from injury and Rob unable to walk…the team made do under some trying circumstances. Playing a string of away games early in the piece no doubt affected the results. There were some horrific fields played on and it took a few games of adjustment before we managed to earn some points. The 'fortress thistle' was proven by just one defeat in the first round of the league at home. There were some great results…and games we lost but still managed to play well. The 2-0 loss to the Devies was still acknowledged as the best game of the season for us…despite the scoreline. The first half of the season was plagued by goal scoring problems and one felt that it was just a matter of time before they started to go in. The goals did start to fall…I think the game that turned it around must have been the div 2 clash against Caboolture…the team won a solid 3-0 and played well after some hard defeats. We also scored 11 goals in the next 2 games and the problems with scoring were certainly solved.

The good form died away in a season that started to drag out. Players had come and gone and many were physically and mentally tired from the constant schedule. Many struggled to make the field and it was a constant struggle to get a regular team. It has been the usual problem for a NCL team but the team managed to keep its core of players that were improving all the time. Some big improvers this year was Ismaan, Andy and Runski.

The final series was in doubt as we dropped some form after the 'infamous' boat trip of the Grangers executive. We managed to scrape in 4th place, despite the fact we had beaten all of the teams above us. The first game saw us play Brighton…a hard team in more ways than one, we remembered them for the near break-out of a brawl during our away clash earlier in the season. Nerves always play a part in finals, even though we are hardly playing for 'sheep stations'. The pre-match warmup was a little different than usual…we actually warmed up. More importantly we played like a team intent on winning. I suspected that we were a team that could turn 'it' on whenever we felt like it and the finals was a great for waking us up. The Brighton game will go down in history as a rout, a 5-1 thumping in which we made a team that was good look very, very ordinary. Again it was a strange performance…its strange to see players lift above what you sometimes expect them to.

The final was also a strange game. The atmosphere was different, as you would expect, but we still had trouble getting 11 players so that made us all feel comfortable (like it was just another game). History will show that Grangers won the game 2-1 but it was a win that the team desperately needed. The team in just its second season had put some trophies in the cabinet and the boost to morale for next season is one that will be well felt. The team now looks forward to Division one and the prospect of building on what we already have. Some players will leave…others will come in…the Grangers remain the same.

Who are those Rangers Continued…

To again use the comment "what a difference a year makes" also saw the Rangers lineup and support structure undergo a massive overhaul during the 99 season.

Most of the 98 players had returned for their second tour of duty. There were a few noticeable AWOL’s, those being stalwart defender and Rangers miracle sponsor provider Mark "Robbo" Robertson, Patrick "Patti" Greatrex, Ray "Rayo" Crilly and even his brother Paul "Evil Paulo" Crilly.

The rangers found themselves at the start of a promising 99 season with numbers again on the dwindle. A reconfirmation that we were again welcomed to be part of Grange Thistle and the first managers meeting saw the season quickly underway with numbers in short supply. It was during this troubling time that the critical organisational skills of one Merrick Peisley came into play. Those who know Merrick would have to say he doesn’t like organising much, preferring to default to eroy for most activities and things, but during the feudal and chaotic numbers search peisley outshone himself. A quick interrogation of all possible sources for "They have to be GOOD, not shit" soccer players was soon conducted by peisley and the rangers had the next generation of soccer stars ready to be evaluated for their debut first 99 match. This match saw the introduction of Andy "Polyopidus" Policronis, Steve "Froggi" Bell, Alan and Richard good mates of Greg "Orr Ref" Crocetti, Fred "Mighty" Gwynn and the soon to be fabled Rob "Robbie" Parton and Troy "Wombat" Nowitzki. The season started slowly with the team readjusting for the new styles from the second-generation players. Noteworthy performance adjustments are recalled from Wombat, who was great in attacking the wing and keeping the communication going but lacked somewhat in his tackling ability. Numbers flourished for the rangers in the summer and autumn months of the 99 season, but dark times arrived with the coming of winter. The excessive number bred corruption and dissension within the ranger’s ranks. Complaints and dissatisfaction were becoming evident, and it was during this time that the "Great Revolt" began.

Know one quite knows who led the revolt but the swelling numbers of the rangers broke with the force of the mighty Mississippi breaking the riverbanks of America and flooding away. Greg "Orrr Ref!!", Omar, Alan and Ritchard were the first to have disappeared, nick "nicko campbell was second to spit the dummy at the numbers problem.

All Mutineers gave reasons of too many numbers and I’m not getting a run, for leaving the team. Funnily enough within 2 weeks of the revolt the numbers problems reversed for the rangers who struggled to get 12 to their games. Only through the brilliant efforts of mezza again was he able to get a full team each week. The mutineers were contacted again for duty and assured that the numbers were low and they were needed. Most were unavailable to serve but a few came to the rescue when needed.

A highlight of the Season saw the rangers executive go off on a holiday to the Whitsunday’s, returning with stories of unparalleled treasures, beautiful women, island paradises and debaucherous nights.

This season also saw the instigation of the fan club, known mainly for turning up to home games and supporting the team via the efforts of Fred "mighty" Gwynn. Yet a special mentioned must go to Arti "Video Queen" Ameer legendary wife to Ranger Hall of Famer Ismaan "Izzy" Ameer who turned up to just about every game (home and away) in every weather condition included the nights where it felt like a blizzard to watch and cheer.

The season ended with the rangers dealing out punishment to unworthy teams such as brighton bulldogs, and of course the legendary finals series with the Roosters. This event has been classified which means we could tell u here but the we’d have to kill you. For full details ask eroy for the video of the match or stay tuned as mezza maybe putting it on the webpages for public viewing. Izzy and Arti leaving for the lands to the South, Wombat leaving for the lands to the North, Rob "Arrr my head" Hordern not returning for 2000 duty, nor the likes of Greg "Orrrr Ref!" , Omar, Alan or Richard.

Yet the third Generation has been recruited and the 2000 season looks good. Introduction of Jon "Bollocks" Whitehead, Jim "Jimmy" and perhaps others may see the rangers into division 1 and perhaps even the premiership of the fabled NCL Cup.

Story by Mezz. All characters portrayed are real, the names are real too…bugger the truth.