ALL IS IN ORDER TO ROAR

11 Dec 2014

Shepparton News - Matthew Galea

 

COBRAM CLUBS OFFICIALLY WIND UP AS NEW ENTITY PREPARES TO COME ALIVE

Cobram and Cobram Victory are no more as the clubs officially made way for the incoming Cobram Roar.

The once cross-town rivals wound up at their respective annual meetings on Tuesday as Roar moved a step closer to reality.

Consumer Affairs Victoria required both clubs to wind up before Roar could officially be incorporated.

Cobram president John Ventre said it was the last big step before the new club could officially have its first annual meeting.

‘‘That was the last big step in the way really,’’ Ventre said.

‘‘I was pleasantly surprised at how well it went down and how easily it went through.’’

Ventre said most members wanted to hear how the new club was coming along.

‘‘Everyone was keen to hear about how the merger was going and this was a big step forward for that,’’ Ventre said.

Ventre said he hoped to be able to acknowledge the history of the Tigers and the club would be represented at Goulburn North East Football Association’s annual meeting next week.

Cobram celebrated its 60th anniversary in June 2012, and has been a powerhouse in the local soccer competition, dating back to the North East Soccer League days.

The Tigers won seven NESL premierships, with the last coming in 1978.

Cobram Victory president Tony Startari said his club had also wound up tomake way for the Roar without a hitch.

‘‘We all knew it was happening down the line and it went through fine,’’ Startari said.

The club also used the occasion to recognise a number of members who were awarded life membership.

Michael Startari, Connie Diramacca and Dianne Startari were all honoured with life memberships.

Tony Startari said the members had a quiet drink afterwards to commemorate some amazing stories.

The club was founded in 1998 as Murray-Border United and originally played in Albury Wodonga Football Association before moving to GNEFA as Cobram Victory in 2007.

Victory made statewide headlines with its extraordinary Dockerty Cup — then known as the Mirabella Cup— run in 2011, when it made the last 12 only to fall to eventual runner-up Melbourne Knights.

‘‘We got a big spread in the Herald Sun during a footy season. It was something no country club had done,’’ Startari said.

In 2012, Victory won its maiden premiership, beating Shepparton 5-0 in an extraordinary Regional Premier League grand final.