User:UnitedEVCA/sandbox

HISTORY
The United Cricket Club from all available information can trace its history back over fifty years. The club as we know it now has developed from mergers and name changes to its present form. In the 1960’s, two clubs namely Quarry Hill Methodist and Golden Square Methodist merged to become Quarry Square United Cricket Club –which was then abbreviated to the United Cricket Club – which it has remained to this day.

The club considers its modern history dates from the 1980-81 season when it set its course for the golden era of the club. This golden era has lasted the last 18 years and we are hopeful that we are only approximately one third of the way through this period of unrivalled success. The following notes will substantiate how successful the United Cricket Club has been in the last 18 years.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLUB
Prior to the 1980 season United was an unsuccessful, one-side club without a home ground and a part of the now disbanded Bendigo Matting Cricket Association.

The club set about improving itself through a more committed executive and an enthusiastic recruiting drive. Success was immediate with the club winning their first flag in 1980-81 following that up with three more finals appearances before winning their second premiership in 1984-85.

The club believed that to improve it needed to field two sides and so set about joining the stronger Emu Valley Cricket Association in 1985. To achieve this a home ground was needed and through a controversial period secured the much sought after Ewing Park in central Bendigo.

The club entered the E.V.C.A in a blaze of glory and it’s immediate success sent shock waves through the Association. Two premierships in the first two years, and a further seven flags up until the present time has seen a period if greatness for United. The club has now played in finals series for 18 out of the last 20 years.

Meanwhile our Division Two side was also creating their own history seeing them the dominant side in their division. Perennial finalists they have won seven flags since their formation in 1985 and have participated in the last eight grand finals.

Mindful of the future the club entered a Division Three side in 1996 – 97 and immediately tasted success with a flag in their first year. The Division Three side have added another flag with their success in 2002-2003.

This outstanding on-field success has been matched by the club’s off-field efforts in the same period.

Life Members

 * SHANE HARTNEY
 * MURRAY OAKES
 * PETER SMART
 * PHIL CLOHESY
 * BRENDAN HARTNEY
 * CHRIS GREENE
 * MARK O’FARRELL
 * PETER PEREZ
 * PHIL WALSH
 * STEVE ROBINSON
 * ROBERT WALSH
 * STEVE JEFFREY
 * DEAN ROBINSON
 * JUDITH HALL
 * DENNIS O’CONNOR
 * BEN DYETT
 * PETER ALEXANDER
 * MATT LEECH
 * TOM WALSH
 * KEIRAN NIHILL
 * JEFFREY KNOWLES
 * IAN ALEXANDER
 * GLENN TAIG
 * JOSH WHITE

PREMIERSHIPS
EVCA Division 1 Premiers
 * 1) 1984/85	United
 * 2) 1985/86	United
 * 3) 1986/87	United
 * 4) 1989/90	United
 * 5) 1991/92	United
 * 6) 1992/93	United
 * 7) 1996/97	United
 * 8) 1999/00	United
 * 9) 2000/01	United
 * 10) 2002/03	United
 * 11) 2003/04	United
 * 12) 2004/05	United
 * 13) 2006/07	United
 * 14) 2013/14	United
 * 15) 2015/16	United
 * 16) 2019/20	United