Football in Geelong has a long and rich history, dating back to the first known local game at Corio oval (Eastern Gardens) in 1884.
The sport has since grown in popularity alongside waves of immigration to become one of the region’s most played sports.
Below is a very small collection of material that tells a little of the story of football in the region. If you have items to share please get in touch – we’d love to build this into a trove of interesting info about the local game.
Timeline of key events
- View a timeline of football in the Geelong region from 1884.
In-depth local history
- Post war soccer in Geelong (PDF) by Roy Hay (published 1994)
- Geelong Soccer between the Wars (PDF) by Roy Hay (published 1994)
- Soccer since the war – Geelong Historical Society – Roy Hay
- Football Victoria’s Geelong History
Football in Victoria
Read more about the history of football in Victoria
A football pitch used by the Federal Woollen Mills team in North Geelong. Photo circa 1925/1935
A look back at the local game in pictures
Some of the people, places, teams and relics that are part of the local story of the game.
Geelong and District Soccer Football Association Shield 1926. Source: National Wool Museum Collection
Geelong and District Soccer Football Association Shield 1926 engraving. Source: National Wool Museum Collection
Federal Mills Soccer Club winners 1929. Source: National Wool Museum Collection
In April 1927, the British battlecruiser HMS Renown visited Geelong, Australia, as part of a Royal tour. During this visit, the ship’s crew played a soccer match against a representative Geelong team at Kardinia Park on April 27, 1927. The crew of HMS Renown won the match decisively, defeating the Geelong team 9–1.
Club officials at the presentation of the Madden Cup 1927. Geelong city defeating Colac Thistle.
A football pitch used by the Federal Woollen Mills team. Corner of Melbourne Road and Mackey street, North Geelong. Photo circa 1925/1935. State Library of Victoria.
Hakoah vs Geelong at Olympic Park – Soccer News 6 July 1957. Photo supplied be My World Is Round.
Norlane Olympia team (Geelong) – promotion for ‘De Neuwe Wereld’ Cup match. Image supplied by Adam Muyt
Norlane Olympia. Soccer News 10 Sept 1960. Photo by Adam Muyt
Ballarat and Geelong Districts Soccer Association Shield (1972-85) . North Geelong Warriors clubrooms.
Geelong United U10 – 1976. Photo supplied by Branko Krstevski
U14 East Geelong Junior Soccer club. Photo supplied by My World Is Round.
Bell Park SC grandstand 197
Corio SC. Date unknown
Corio SC 1970. Image supplied by Adam Muyt & Tony van der Hoeven
Bell Park u13 – 1982. Photo supplied by Branko Krstevski
Geelong Select XI 1982 promotional flyer. Photo by Milan Ćipranić
Geelong United around 1982-83 at Corio Oval, Eastern Park. Photo supplied by Andrew Steffinlongo.
Bell Park U16 – 1984. Photo supplied by Branko Krstevski
Corio SC U16. Victorian Super League 1985. Photo supplied by Branko Krstevski
Geelong Advertiser Cup play 1989
U16 Geelong Country Champs 2016
U12 Geelong Country Champs 2016
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Geelong Galaxy FC. 2024 Geelong Community Cup winners. Photo supplied by Branko Krstevski
Geelong Galaxy FC U12. NPL winners 2019. Photo supplied by Branko Krstevski