User:Happyhamburgers/Croydon Rangers

The Croydon Rangers are an American football team from Croydon, a Melbourne suburb of Victoria, Australia, who compete in the Gridiron Victoria league.

History
In 1983 at Monash University a group of students and friends formed the Monash Vipers gridiron club. Monash Vipers made contact with two other clubs in Victoria: the Melbourne Steelers and Frankston Outlaws. The first organised game in Victoria was between three teams who played against New South Wales team. The first Victorian game was between the Vipers and Steelers, with Vipers winning 8-7.

In the late 1983 early 1984 the Monash Vipers Committee, having little response from the University (with regards to grounds and assistance) moved to Croydon, as the Croydon Council were able to provide them a playing ground. In early 1984 Croydon - together with the Steelers, Outlaws and Geelong Wildcats - formed the Victorian Gridiron Football League with 1984 being the inaugural American Gridiron Football season in Victoria.

The Rangers played their first season at Ainslie Park in Croydon. The first year was played without pads or helmets with Outlaws defeating Rangers 12-0 in the inaugural Vic Bowl.

January 1985 the first fully equipped (pads, helmets etc.) game was played at VFL Park in front of 30,000 plus crowd between Victoria and New South Wales (Victoria winning 16-6) as a curtain raiser to the Wyoming Cowboys and Utep Miners.

On Sunday, June 6th 2010 the Rangers defeated the Berwick Miners 38-0 to win their 200th club game.

On Saturday, July 31st 2010 Tom Kinloch played his 250th game for the Croydon Rangers who defeated the Western Crusaders 14-12.

Club records

 * VIC BOWL's: 1997 (Vic Bowl XIII), 1998 (Vic Bowl XIV), 2004 (Vic Bowl XX)
 * Senior Championships: 1995 (Gridiron Association of Victoria)
 * Riddell Bowl (Junior Championships): 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005 & 2010
 * Games Record Holder: Tom Kinloch 250 (1990 - Present)
 * Most Club MVP Awards: Steve Churchill (6); Michael Smith (6)
 * Life Members: Mick Smith, Bruce Gessey, Heath Morrison, Dean Jackson, Brendon Bowe, Kevin Collins, Elise Collins, Peter Davies