Club History
Knox Gardens Cricket Club was formed to accompany the football club at the reserve aligning them with the local council, adopting the brown and gold colours of the football club and in keeping with the council logo and the Knox name were known as the Falcons. A concerted effort to tap into the youth well in the area and provide a ‘local’ sport outlet for the young families, members of the club were moved to form the Knox Gardens Junior Football Club. Due to the unfashionable and becoming outdated brown and gold colours and the preference of the founders, the junior team wore Essendon jumpers and adopted the Falcons as their mascot. The first premiership for the club was achieved by the Reserves, but the winning feeling would dissipate in the following few years.
Sensing that the immediate surroundings of the club were ageing and the facilities were being outgrown, the club then searched for a new home. Now trading as the Knox Football Club, they moved to the current location at Knox Gardens Reserve, Argyle Way, in the new estate opposite the brick factory on Stud Road, Wantirna South. With a ground which had virtually been untouched and brand new pavilion, changerooms and a pool of young families, there was much anticipation of better things to come for the hawks.This was realised almost instantaneously with the club reaching its first senior Grand Final, unfortunately losing to Hawthorn Citizens. The opportunity to join the strongest metropolitan league in the state arose and with the club traveling to suburbs such as Richmond, Collingwood, Fairfield, Caulfield and Malvern, the prospect of playing against the best in the Eastern suburbs was a good one. Joining the Eastern Districts Football League (now the EFL) in fourth division, the club was ready to take on the mighty challenge of moving up the ranks.
1980 - 1984: Knox Baptists Football Club (the hawks) was formed and affiliated with the Eastern Suburban Churches Football Association in D grade wearing a brown jumper with a yellow sash. The reason for the ‘Baptists’ in the name was due to the rules of affiliation for the ESCFA, which saw the club backed by the local Baptist Church, this would later not be required. The club established their home in the relatively young growth area of Wantirna South with the ground being located at Lewis Road Reserve, this ground would be shared with the already established Studfield Junior Football Club, one of the strongest junior clubs in the district. Mainly, however, the first players at the club were older locals who “brought along a mate or two for a kick”. The next few years would see the fledgling club on the receiving end of some huge thrashings as they endeavoured to attract some much needed help. These ‘prayers’ would soon be answered as 1983 saw the arrival of some recruits from the strong Chadstone Salesian Old Boys club and saw a steady improvement over next year or two.
1985: Sensing that the immediate surroundings of the club were ageing and the facilities were being outgrown, the club then searched for a new home. Now trading as the Knox Football Club, they moved to the current location at Knox Gardens Reserve, Argyle Way, in the new estate opposite the brick factory on Stud Road, Wantirna South. With a ground which had virtually been untouched and brand new pavilion, changerooms and a pool of young families, there was much anticipation of better things to come for the hawks. This was realised almost instantaneously with the club reaching its first senior Grand Final, unfortunately losing to Hawthorn Citizens.
1986 - 1988: Knox Gardens Cricket Club was formed to accompany the football club at the reserve aligning themselves with the local council, adopting the brown and gold colours of the football club and in keeping with the council logo and the Knox name were known as the Falcons.A concerted effort to tap into the youth well in the area and provide a ‘local’ sport outlet for the young families, members of the club were moved to form the Knox Gardens Junior Football Club. Due to the unfashionable and becoming outdated brown and gold colours and the preference of the founders, the junior team wore Essendon jumpers and adopted the Falcons as their mascot. The first premiership for the club was achieved by the Reserves in this year but the winning feeling would dissipate in the following few years
1989: The opportunity to join the strongest metropolitan league in the state arose and with the club travelling to suburbs such as Richmond, Collingwood, Fairfield, Caulfield and Malvern, the prospect of playing against the best in the Eastern suburbs was a good one. Joining the Eastern Districts Football League (now the EFL) in the fourth division of four, the club was ready to take on the mighty challenge of moving up the ranks. However, the first season for the club, now known as the Falcons, was a long, harsh and fruitless one with the team failing to register a win.
1990: The club, now with its first win in the league, adopts the colours of the junior football team and cricket club (which had changed in the summer).Also in fourth division was Kilsyth, whose strip was that of the Essendon kind, this meant that Knox had to wear a red jumper with a black sash and red socks. The alignment was now complete, as far as the colours and mascot between the three sporting bodies, however much was still to be done to win over the junior club and its parent group. Many more powerful clubs would prey on the junior talent with their standing in the league making it difficult to keep players at the club. In the eyes of most, the club still appeared to be a “boys club” with a “footy” culture not suitable for their kids and family to be a part of.
1991: The previous season had seen the rapid improvement in the senior team, going from not winning a game to finishing with a late burst around the middle of the ladder. This was due to the first influx of new “young” talent. Combined with a new playing coach and a new committee with a fresh outlook and determination, the club won its first Senior premiership, defeating Heathmont and being promoted to 3rd Division. With the club finally gaining some respect, it now looked forward to consolidating in the higher division. This was a struggle for the next 4 seasons, with three of those spent staving off relegation with virtually the same playing group.
1992: This year saw the formation of an U/16 team playing under the senior banner. With a premiership in its first season, it was plain to see that this group of players, who had mainly come up through the junior club, were going to provide a solid base in the future for the senior club. This would ring true with Best and Fairest winners, leaders and the nucleus of a strong team coming from this very group.
1993 - 1994: More evidence of the future with the formation of the first u/18 team. They would continue the success going through the season undefeated to become the 1993 “Champions”.
1996: With the seniors in the meantime struggling to hold their place in third division, it was time for the committee to relent and become possibly the last club to start paying their players for their efforts. Combined with a step up in recruiting, which saw an injection of experience and professionalism from a group of players from the then first division club Boronia, the team made their first finals series in third division, and whilst being totally outgunned in the Preliminary Final by Doncaster, it was a tantalising taste of what might come.
1997:The finals series of ‘96 was a great springboard for the team to improve and this was achieved with the seniors and reserves finishing the home and away season on top of the ladder. The reserves went out of the finals race in two successive weeks as the senior team prepared for a shot at making it up another rung on the league “ladder”. After a great season where it would be argued that Knox was the best team for the year, they were convincingly beaten by a revved up traditional rival in Templestowe, who had some points to prove after being at the top for a few years. A devastating loss, but another learning curve nonetheless. The U/18s win their second flag.
1998: After the Grand Final loss, the club failed to equal or improve its position for the first time and with alot of major injuries, missed the finals by a game. However, the Reserves won the premiership defeating neighbours and arch rival Wantirna South with a mix of experience and some handy young players.
1999: A return to the top for the Falcons, making the big one for the second time in three years. But what heartbreak there was, as after leading all day and the lead changing several times in the last quarter in the rain, a one point loss to Warrandyte was hard to take. Another chance at second division missed. Meanwhile, the Reserves make it back-to-back flags defeating South Croydon.
2000: How do great teams rebound from heartbreak, they go one better. A fantastic year all around, with a much anticipated re-vamp and extension to the changerooms and social club combining with all three teams making the Grand Final. The committee had been hard at work for many years pleading with the council to update the facilities. A better environment and steely determination was the perfect mix for the Senior team to finally make the move into second division. After being 10 goals down 5 minutes into the third quarter of the Preliminary Final, the team turned it around, winning that game in extra time and defeating nemesis Templestowe in a similar comeback by two points. The score, 99 to 97, was ironic in the sense that these were the two years where the Falcons suffered defeats in the ultimate game of the year. The U/18s were beaten by Wantirna South, but the Reserves avenged their loss to the Devils by beating them comfortably and completing a “three-peat”. A remarkable effort. This should set the club in good stead for an assault on second division.
2001: Aiming not only to consolidate its position in the higher division, but to play finals, the club performed very well in its first year. Both Seniors and Reserves mixed it with the seasoned performers, only to fall short in the last game of the home and away round of making the final four. A great effort, if not unrewarding, with the Seniors beating allcomers except eventual premiers Donvale.
2002: On the improve again, the club made its first 2nd Division Grand Final with both the Seniors and Reserves having a dominant year. Especially the Seniors, winning the last seven games by big margins then going on to beat Mulgrave in the Second Semi-final by 12 goals. Again going into a Grand Final as favourite, disappointment would be the emotion of the day, both teams succumbing to perhaps the experience of Blackburn. There was some consolation when Knox was awarded the Champion Club for the second time after winning the same award in 2000 in Third Division.
2003: A disappointing response to the previous seasons promise with the Seniors struggling all season and failing to reach the finals. The Reserves continued their with their appetite for the big one as they went down to Wantirna South in the Grand Final.
2004: A new coach and a new wave of experienced players, this time indirectly from First Division club East Burwood, saw a renewed enthusiasm and improvement was again on the agenda. The seniors performed well against the cream in the closest division only to bow to some of the lower ranked teams. This proved costly and again, this time as the form team, fell over at the last hurdle and fell from a potential 2nd place finish to end up 5th. The Reserves, however, in a remarkable effort, played in their 6th Grand Final in 7 seasons, this time slogging it out in the mud and rain and exacting some revenge on the old enemy Wantirna South to take the flag. The U/18s have been around the mark for the past few years and the ranks have swelled to include a second team, the future still looks bright.......
2005: Season 2005 was an up and down season for the Knox football club. The club was hit by serious injuries and was in the race for relegation back to division 3. The season saw the rise of some new young blood to the senior ranks and even cracking a spot in the senior team. The highlight of the season was the success of the colts who went on the win the first premiership since 1997 by defeating Scoresby. The team of the past 25 years was announced, which saw the greatest ever players return back to the Knox football club. We hope to recruit well in 2006 which can lift this great club back to where it belongs and that is to play finals football
2006: Its a year that saw the addition of a new senior coach in Stuart Wynd and reserves coach Rod Marget. The goal for the club in 2006 was to get the team back in the finals and what a great job Stuart Wynd did to recruit players from his previous club and other EFL clubs. The season started off shaky, but as the season went along the players start to gel together and make a successful in roads to the finals. It was another season again that saw the future rise again to senior levels and perform as well as they did. Congratulations to the Under 18's for winning back to back premierships.
2007: Our home and away season has been absolutely outstanding with all 3 sides finishing in 1st place at the end with Minor Premiers and the EFL 2nd Division Best Club award. Finals participation is guaranteed with all teams having the 2nd chance. The rotation of players each week has seen some imbalances during the second half of the season and the players have given their all to ensure they are selected. A few injuries have given Colts to opportunity to experience Reserves footy and the Reserves players that have played Seniors have equipped themselves well. This season we had some milestones achieved in Rod Marget reaching 300 EFL games Paul Tredrea and Daniel Adams reaching 150 games Adam Whitten, Drew Keltie and Adam Morse reaching 100 games. Congratulations to the Seniors beating South Croydon and moving the Knox football club to division one for the first time in our history of the club, also the Under 18's beating Wantirna South to make it 3 premierships in a row.
2008: The Knox Falcons are entering the history books yet again by competing this year in 1st Division for the first time since the Club was founded in 1980. After a successful 2007, our Coaching staff of Stuart Wynd, Rod Marget and Pierre Schumann were reappointed to take on the challenge of 1st Division.
We would like to express our gratitude to St. Josephs in Boronia for renting us there oval to train on in the off season. This season we hope to consolidate ourselves in Division 1 and hopefully the future of our Club - the Colts will be finals participants. We welcome back in 2008 all Sponsors, past members of the Falconians, Social, Supporters and Player Sponsors to renew their memberships as early as possible. Without this, we cannot run the club so please continue your support.
The Council has all but completed the Capital works on the ground, and we are hopeful of playing the second half of the 2008 season at our home ground. All that is needed to play on the new turf, is time for the roots to take hold, new goal posts to be erected and the cricket pitch cover to be installed. The new nets area erected at the end of last year is looking great, and is a credit to the Knox Falcons Cricket Club.
2009: 2009 saw the Knox Falcons hold our own through our second year in 1st Division. We finished the year with a credible 7 wins in the first and a vast improvement on the previous year against the top sides. We had a tough year with injury, using 45 players through the firsts. This will be great experience for our young group as they continue to develop. Our U/18's improved throughout the year and we have at least 9 players from the colts who will play senior football in 2010, which is a great result. Our seconds capped off a fantastic year with a brilliant finals series, culminating in our premiership win. This shows the depth of talent we have at the club.
Our senior coach in 2010 is former Collingwood and Footscray player, Tyson Lane. His assistants are Joe Aiello, Matt Windsor & Greg Donald. Our Reserves will be coached by Adrian Keltie and assisted by his brother Peter. Pierre Schumann will once again take charge of the colts with his assistants being Kim Brimelow, Greg Krenn, Tony Aiello & John Dideo.
I would like to thank our past and new sponsors who have come on board once again, They are: The Knox Club, Andrew Freeman from Ray White, PFD Foods, Steve Burley from Hi Tech Tree Professionals, Pete & Manni of Knoxfield Metal Recyclers, Wantirna South Charcoal Chicken, John Barker from Horizon Financial Services, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, Greg Krenn from G K Travel, Joe and Jane from Marty's Automotive, Kahn Bolton of KMB Carpeting, URL Networks, A & D Network Services, Addcrete, David Cooper, Kim Wells & Chris Pearce, Cam & Adam from Knoxgate Butchers & Barracuda Security.
I invite all of our club supporters to become members of the club, be it social members or Falconians. We need your financial support to continue the improvement of the Knox Football Club. In 2010 we will be erecting a new fence along the front of the car park to help capture the gate takings from each game. A 500,000 litre water tank is being installed under the bottom oval in March of 2010. We hope to refit the ceiling and lighting in the Social Rooms in 2010. If you can help with this project, please contact Phil O'Shannassy
2010: After 4 seasons the club changed coaches in 2010, with Stuart Wynd having done a great job getting Knox into 1st Division. The season however was one of mixed results.
Our Reserves went back to back and won there 2nd Reserves Grand Final beating East Burwood, coached by Adrian Keltie and assisted by his brother Peter. In an ironic twist, Knox’s coach from the previous season Luke Slater, returned to East Burwood in 2010 to assist his old club and was the coach of East Burwood. The senior side however struggled all year and with 3 rounds to play, lost the services of the senior coach. The last game of the season at home saw Knox defeat Lilydale, the loser to be relegated, which made the atmosphere a mini final. Knox has never been relegated since its inception to the EFL..
2011: They say a year is a long time in football, how right this is. After a previous season which saw us avoid relegation by winning the last game of the year, the club looked forward and appointed Jon Knight as its Senior Coach for 2011. With a wealth of football experience, but no senior coaching experience, Jon’s background as a teacher was felt to be the right fit for a young and talented side, looking for direction and a game plan. After losing the 1st 3 games of the season, it was felt it was going to be a tough year, however it all clicked, and we started a roll which saw the club beat the EFL powerhouse Vermont for the 1st time ever in round 4 and ended up recording 12 wins for the season, our best result in Div 1. We ended up 4th for 2011- a remarkable effort given all in the EFL had picked us to be relegated. We lost the elimination to Balwyn, however we saw it a learning curve, the club and playing group earned the respect of the EFL public, and it only wetted the appetite for 2012.
And the rest is still unwritten..
