Founded in 1894, the club has participated in various Gippsland football leagues over the last 100 plus years where the club has won a very credible 26 senior football premierships.
In 1903 the club was reformed with George F. Michael as President.[1]
In 1910, Leongatha Junior FC (11.12 - 78) won the premiership, defeating Outtrim Junior FC (4.3 - 27).[2]
In 1911, Leongatha FC joined the Leongatha and District Football Association, along with the South Leongatha FC.[3]
In 1913, Leongatha finish second on the ladder with seven wins and their second semi final against Korumburra had to be played twice, after the first game was drawn. Korumburra won the replay by one goal.[4]
In 1915, the club colours were a blue guernsey, red sash with red and black stockings.[5] In July, 1915, the club's committee instructed club delegate's to terminate the football season due to the fact that eight Leongatha footballers are already at the front and seven more have enlisted in the Army.[6] Leongatha FC continued on and played out the season.[7]
Leongatha Juniors (1.4 - 10) were defeated in the 1922 grand final against Ruby (3.4 - 22).[8]
In 1924, Footscray, VFA premiers, visited Leongatha in October and played a game that was marred by heavy rain squalls throughout the day. Leongatha (6.7 - 43) got up against Footscray (4.14 - 38) in a low scoring game.[9]
In 1934, Leongatha FC boasted 1200 members on their books! [10]
In 1948, Leongatha Second 18 commenced playing in the Central Gippsland Football Leagues Reserves competition.[11]
In 1954, Leongatha FC entered two teams in the South Gippsland Football League, Leongatha Green and Leongatha Gold, with Leongatha Green winning the 1954 premiership![12]
Leongatha Imperials Football Club
In 1929, the Leongatha Imperials Football Club was formed and initially played in the Bass Valley Football Association.[13][14] Leongatha Imperials were runner-up to Poowong in the 1929 grand final.[15]
In 1931 Leongatha Imperials moved across to the Woorayl Football Association.[16] In 1934, the town of Leongatha boasted three football teams, with a team called Nerrena / South Leongatha entering the Woorayl FA in 1934 and 1935, with the "senior" team playing in the Central Gippsland FA.
The “Imperials” won the 1934 Woorayl FA premiership defeating Mt. Eccles in the Grand Final.[17]
In 1936, Imperials joined the Korumburra Lang Lang Football Association and lost the grand final to Lang Lang by three points.[18]
In March, 1937, the Leongatha FC & the Leongatha Imperials FC decided to run both clubs under the one Leongatha FC committee.[19] Leongatha Imperials Football Club won the 1937 Korumburra Football Association premiership, when they defeated Nyora in the grand final.[20]
Football Competitions Timeline
Leongatha Football Club
1894 to 1896 - Great Southern Football Association [21][22]
1897 to 1902 - Club appeared to be in recess.
1903 & 1904 - Great Southern Football Association [23]
1919 to 1923 Korumburra District Football Association [31][32]
1924 to 1932 - Southern Gippsland Football Association [33][34]
1933 - Club in recess. Could not find a league to enter after the SGFA folded.[35] Leongatha Imperials FC entered a team in the Central Gippsland Football Association in 1933.
1934 to 1940 - Central Gippsland Football Association
The following footballers played senior VFL / AFL football prior to playing / coaching at Leongatha FC. The year indicates the player's first season at Leongatha FC.
