Words: Michael Flynn, Football Queensland
Image: Queensland Football History Project

Football Queensland representatives joined forces with the Queensland Football History Project to commemorate the 130^th anniversary of Queensland’s first officially sanctioned football game at the Pineapple Hotel in Brisbane on Saturday.

FQ Chief Executive Officer Geoff Foster presented the Pineapple Hotel’s Bob Singleton with a plaque in honour of the anniversary of the match between St Andrew’s and Queen’s Park played adjacent to the historic establishment.

St Andrew’s won that day 7-0 at the “Pineapple Ground”, backing up the following weekend with a 1-1 draw against Rangers in front of 100 spectators.

All three were foundation clubs of the Anglo-Queensland Football Association, founded 1 May 1884, and competed across a nine-week season that culminated in a final won by Rangers (pictured).

Commemorating this historic moment in Queensland Football was the brainchild of Simon Boegheim, Chairman of the Queensland Football History Project – a committee seeking to encapsulate the history of the game across the Sunshine State from humble amateur beginnings through to the fully professional era.

Guests present in addition to CEO Foster were former Football Queensland President Denis O’Brien, Australian Women's Soccer Association President Elaine Watson O.A.M, Football Brisbane’s Alan Eedy, football historian Peter Eedy and Brisbane Roar’s Ian Dalzell.

Boegheim explained the ultimate aim of the project was to establish a museum and a digital resource allowing Queensland’s football family to connect with the game’s roots.

Boegheim said, “It will be a database of all the stuff that can be archived – photographs, results, you name it – and then in about two to three years time we hope to establish an actual museum with trophies and whatever interests people.”

“It will probably be based in Brisbane although we are covering the whole of Queensland. We hope to cover every age group, men and women, so not it’s not just going to be for the premier league teams or anything like that.”

“Anything at all related to football in Queensland we want to get it in the archive,” he added enthusiastically.

Boegheim also said an interactive element and rotating exhibits would be a feature of the planned future museum.

“It could be specific eras or a particular championship – we certainly don’t want the same thing sitting there the whole time. One of my hopes is we get what I would call a wall of fame featuring famous players and teams.”

Foster explained that Football Queensland will be offering assistance to the project as it continues the mammoth task of compiling and presenting Queensland’s football history.

“130 years is something that we are very proud of and to have the same facility still standing – and as I look across the field they’re playing a game as we speak. That’s a history that we need to treasure and we need to preserve” Foster said.

“This research group is very important to my generation, the next generation and the following generation and we will adequately resource their efforts.”

Boegheim added that despite his preoccupation with the game’s history he is also very optimistic about the game’s future.

“I’ve been watching football since the sixties, there’s a definite improvement especially with the youngsters and kids. There’s some real talent around.”

The Queensland Football History Project is looking for anyone that can assist in their mission by providing information, memorabilia or any other form of assistance.

If you can help, please contact Simon Boegheim from the Queensland Football History Project at simonboe1@bigpond.com