Weston Workers Bears FC
Encyclopedia
Weston Workers Bears Football Club are an Australian semi-professional
football (soccer)
based in Weston, New South Wales. At its senior level the club participates in the NBN League
, the highest tier of Northern New South Wales Football
and the third tier of Australian football after the A-league
and the New South Wales Premier League
.
The Bears have spent the majority of their 100 year history in the top flight of local football, winning 13 Grand Finals, 9 Premierships and 9 Club Championships.
It is thought that Weston chose these colours due to the large number of English coalminers haling from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne who settled in the region and helped to set up Weston Workers Football Club.
Weston's away strip is currently a maroon jersey with sky blue trimming, maroon shorts and sky blue socks.
During the 1980s, Weston wore a yellow away strip, which resulted in the fans referring to the team as 'The Canaries' for a short period.
The park has two grandstands: the main stand and members stand for club members.
*2010: Deserved Minor Premiers finishing the year on 39 points in 1st place.
The losses of Brad Swancott and James Monie to Broadmeadow Magic FC
and Azzurri FC respectively were major blows for Weston, however the fans still held out hope that the young Bears team would be able to compete in the State League.
Weston struggled to string wins together throughout the season. Weston at times started to look like they had hit form, with wins such as the 4-1 victory over South Cardiff Gunners in Round 6, however they would often follow up with a lacklustre performance, such as the 7-0 defeat against Azzurri in Round 7.
Three quarters of the way through the season, Weston looked as though they might be about to be dragged into a relegation dogfight with Adamstown Rosebud, however a win against South Cardiff in Round 15 followed by a 2-1 victory against Azzurri in Round 16 ensured the Bears would be in the State League for another season at least. Weston finished the season in 8th position.
The highlight of the 2006 season was the finals campaign of the Reserve Grade team. After finishing 4th on the table, the Reserves defeated Broadmeadow and Hamilton to qualify for the Grand Final, which they won 5-0 against Azzurri FC.
The Bears U19s team nearly made the semi-finals, finishing the season in 5th place.
The 2006 season was the last for Bears coach Trevor Morris who decided to step down after 4 years in the top job.
During the season the Bears celebrated the 100-year milestone for the club. Over 300 supporters, officials and ex players attended the dinner which saw the Team of the Century named. The team featured 14 Bear legends – Jack Avis Snr, John Bond, Jack Gilmore, Warrren Halverson, Roy Johnson, Dennis King, Jack Manion, Jim McNabb, Tom Oliver, Tom Snedden, John J Turnbull, John T Turnbull, Jim Wilkinson, and Jim Williams.
First Grade were the surprise packets of the competition, finishing 4th. Although the Bears went into the finals with high hopes they were outplayed in the first leg by Minor Premiers Broadmeadow Magic losing 3-0. Needing a victory by 4 goals, chances of progressing seemed impossible. Most people did not give the Bears a chance but going into half time with a 2-0 lead gave hope to the Bears faithful. Broadmeadow struck back almost immediately after break, meaning Weston needed another 2 goals to advance. A penalty to the Bears put them up 3-1, Magic replied 2 minutes later ending the Grand Final hopes for the Bears.
Reserve grade started the season strongly and were right in the mix for the finals but results did not go their way and they finished equal 5th with Edgeworth just 3 points outside the 4.
The under 19's had horror start to the season with 8 straight loses putting pressure on the team. Their first win was very emotional, it put some self belief back into the team and they improved on last years performance finishing 9th on 13 points.
The 17's weren't expected to be much trouble in this competition, but with a core of players playing together for the past several years they upset many teams and only had 2 loses in the first 14 rounds of the competition. But a string of draws and loses in the final rounds saw the young Bears miss out on the finals on 1 goal difference.
There was also some personal recognition for the Bears with striker Rhys Tippett being named NBN State League Player of the Year, also with along with himself, Tim Pratt and Nathan Morris were selected in the NBN Select Team for a trial against the Newcastle Jets.
at the end of the 2005 season.
Maitland are also considered to be a local rival, however they have been in the NewFM 1st Division
for many seasons, so the rivalry is somewhat inactive.
Weston also has minor rivalries with West Wallsend
and Adamstown. West Wallsend have spent recent seasons in the 1st Division, but have been promoted back to the State League for the 2007 season, which will allow the two great clubs to renew their rivalry.
Sadly, however, Adamstown were the team to be relegated in order for West Wallsend to be promoted. The Rosebuds finished last in the State League in 2007, and hence will play the 2008 season in the NewFM 1st Division.
Jimmy McNab James Wilkinson Stuart Musialik
Nigel Boogaard
Brad Swancott Anthony Surjan James Monie
Semi-professional
A semi-professional athlete is one who is paid to play and thus is not an amateur, but for whom sport is not a full-time occupation, generally because the level of pay is too low to make a reasonable living based solely upon that source, thus making the athlete not a full professional...
football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
based in Weston, New South Wales. At its senior level the club participates in the NBN League
NBN State Football League
The Northern New South Wales State Football League, or as it is more commonly known as the NBN State Football League for sponsorship purposes, is the premier association football league in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle region. It is governed by Northern New South Wales Football...
, the highest tier of Northern New South Wales Football
Northern New South Wales Football
Northern New South Wales Football is the governing body for football of the northern zone of New South Wales, Australia. It is a member of the national governing body, the Football Federation of Australia.-NBN State Football League:...
and the third tier of Australian football after the A-league
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
and the New South Wales Premier League
New South Wales Premier League
The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
.
History
Three Weston football clubs were formed in 1907; Weston Advance, Weston United and Weston Albions. The Bears are also credited as being founded in 1907 by coalminers who worked at the Hebburn Colliery.The Bears have spent the majority of their 100 year history in the top flight of local football, winning 13 Grand Finals, 9 Premierships and 9 Club Championships.
Club colours
Weston wear Black and White striped jerseys, with black shorts and black socks with white trimming.It is thought that Weston chose these colours due to the large number of English coalminers haling from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne who settled in the region and helped to set up Weston Workers Football Club.
Weston's away strip is currently a maroon jersey with sky blue trimming, maroon shorts and sky blue socks.
During the 1980s, Weston wore a yellow away strip, which resulted in the fans referring to the team as 'The Canaries' for a short period.
Home ground
Weston play their home games at Thomas & Coffey Park (sometimes referred to as Bear Park). Thomas & Coffey Park has been home to the Bears since 1955.The park has two grandstands: the main stand and members stand for club members.
Recent seasons
Weston's performances in recent seasons of the NBN State League:*2010: Deserved Minor Premiers finishing the year on 39 points in 1st place.
- 2009: Finished 7th
- 2008: 4th on 32 points. 2 goals from Grand Final berth.
- 2007: 7th on 23 points.
- 2006: 8th place on 17 points.
- 2005: 4th place on 28 points. Defeated 3-0 in Minor Semi Final by South Cardiff
- 2004: 1st place on 42 points. Defeated 3-1 in Grand Final by Broadmeadow Magic FCBroadmeadow Magic FCBroadmeadow Magic is a football club based in Broadmeadow a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales. They currently play in the NBN State Football League in the Australian state of New South Wales.-History:...
- 2003: 3rd place on 36 points. Defeated by Edgeworth Eagles FC in Semi Final
- 2002: 6th place on 22 points.
- 2001: 6th place on 16 points.
- 2000: 11th place on 12 points. (NBN State League contained 12 teams from 1998 until the 2000 season)
- 1999: 7th place on 22 points. (NBN State League contained 12 teams from 1998 until the 2000 season)
- 1998: 10th place on 28 points. (NBN State League contained 12 teams from 1998 until the 2000 season)
- 1997: 5th place on 28 points.
- 1996: 1st place on 48 points.
- 1995: 3rd place on 38 points.
- 1994: -
- 1993: 6th place on 30 points.
- 1992: 6th place on 28 points.
2006 season
After qualifying for the semi-finals against expectations in the 2005 season, the 2006 season was expected to be difficult for the Bears.The losses of Brad Swancott and James Monie to Broadmeadow Magic FC
Broadmeadow Magic FC
Broadmeadow Magic is a football club based in Broadmeadow a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales. They currently play in the NBN State Football League in the Australian state of New South Wales.-History:...
and Azzurri FC respectively were major blows for Weston, however the fans still held out hope that the young Bears team would be able to compete in the State League.
Weston struggled to string wins together throughout the season. Weston at times started to look like they had hit form, with wins such as the 4-1 victory over South Cardiff Gunners in Round 6, however they would often follow up with a lacklustre performance, such as the 7-0 defeat against Azzurri in Round 7.
Three quarters of the way through the season, Weston looked as though they might be about to be dragged into a relegation dogfight with Adamstown Rosebud, however a win against South Cardiff in Round 15 followed by a 2-1 victory against Azzurri in Round 16 ensured the Bears would be in the State League for another season at least. Weston finished the season in 8th position.
The highlight of the 2006 season was the finals campaign of the Reserve Grade team. After finishing 4th on the table, the Reserves defeated Broadmeadow and Hamilton to qualify for the Grand Final, which they won 5-0 against Azzurri FC.
The Bears U19s team nearly made the semi-finals, finishing the season in 5th place.
The 2006 season was the last for Bears coach Trevor Morris who decided to step down after 4 years in the top job.
2007 season
The 2007 season saw several new coaches join the club, with Michael Boogaard coaching 1st Grade, Chad Dobson mentoring the Reserves and Paul Waters taking the Youth Coach position. The coaching transition came along with six teams instead of five with a new junior team coming in, the new U/ 13s. In 2007 the Bears also upgraded to a special centennial strip which all six grades will wear. With a strong finish to the season the Bears came in 7th, just 2 wins outside the top 4. The Reserve and Youth teams didn't fare any better, finishing 9th and 10th respectively.During the season the Bears celebrated the 100-year milestone for the club. Over 300 supporters, officials and ex players attended the dinner which saw the Team of the Century named. The team featured 14 Bear legends – Jack Avis Snr, John Bond, Jack Gilmore, Warrren Halverson, Roy Johnson, Dennis King, Jack Manion, Jim McNabb, Tom Oliver, Tom Snedden, John J Turnbull, John T Turnbull, Jim Wilkinson, and Jim Williams.
2008 season
The 101st season for the Bears would prove to be a very successful one. The young side had been kept together and continued to improve and fight out results against the top teams in the competition. Former Bear Steve Turnbull took over reserve grade and Steve Thomson coaching the new 17's team. The Bears also revealed a new strip reverting back to thick black and white vertical stripes.First Grade were the surprise packets of the competition, finishing 4th. Although the Bears went into the finals with high hopes they were outplayed in the first leg by Minor Premiers Broadmeadow Magic losing 3-0. Needing a victory by 4 goals, chances of progressing seemed impossible. Most people did not give the Bears a chance but going into half time with a 2-0 lead gave hope to the Bears faithful. Broadmeadow struck back almost immediately after break, meaning Weston needed another 2 goals to advance. A penalty to the Bears put them up 3-1, Magic replied 2 minutes later ending the Grand Final hopes for the Bears.
Reserve grade started the season strongly and were right in the mix for the finals but results did not go their way and they finished equal 5th with Edgeworth just 3 points outside the 4.
The under 19's had horror start to the season with 8 straight loses putting pressure on the team. Their first win was very emotional, it put some self belief back into the team and they improved on last years performance finishing 9th on 13 points.
The 17's weren't expected to be much trouble in this competition, but with a core of players playing together for the past several years they upset many teams and only had 2 loses in the first 14 rounds of the competition. But a string of draws and loses in the final rounds saw the young Bears miss out on the finals on 1 goal difference.
There was also some personal recognition for the Bears with striker Rhys Tippett being named NBN State League Player of the Year, also with along with himself, Tim Pratt and Nathan Morris were selected in the NBN Select Team for a trial against the Newcastle Jets.
Current Senior Squad
Rivalries
Weston's biggest rival is Cessnock City. Both clubs have enjoyed success at the top of local football over their histories, however Cessnock were relegated back to the NewFM 1st DivisionNewFM Football League
The Northern New South Wales Football League Division Two or the NewFM Football League, NewFM First Division Football League or just the NewFM Division for sponsorship reasons, is an Australian football league in the North of New South Wales. It is the second tier of football in the Northern New...
at the end of the 2005 season.
Maitland are also considered to be a local rival, however they have been in the NewFM 1st Division
NewFM Football League
The Northern New South Wales Football League Division Two or the NewFM Football League, NewFM First Division Football League or just the NewFM Division for sponsorship reasons, is an Australian football league in the North of New South Wales. It is the second tier of football in the Northern New...
for many seasons, so the rivalry is somewhat inactive.
Weston also has minor rivalries with West Wallsend
West Wallsend FC
West Wallsend Bluebells SFC is a senior soccer club which is a member of the Northern NSW Football Federation in Australia. The club was formed in 1891 by Scottish miners and is the third oldest football club in the Northern Federation behind Wallsend Red Devils FC and Adamstown Rosebuds FC .-...
and Adamstown. West Wallsend have spent recent seasons in the 1st Division, but have been promoted back to the State League for the 2007 season, which will allow the two great clubs to renew their rivalry.
Sadly, however, Adamstown were the team to be relegated in order for West Wallsend to be promoted. The Rosebuds finished last in the State League in 2007, and hence will play the 2008 season in the NewFM 1st Division.
Trivia
- Weston's home game against Toronto Awaba on 10 June 2007 was postponed due to a water-logged pitch from the 2007 Hunter and Central Coast storms. This was the first time since 1984 that Weston had cancelled a match due to bad weather. The match was replayed on 21 June 2007, with Weston running out winners 4-2.
Noted former players
Richard JohnsonRichard Johnson (footballer)
Richard Johnson is an Australian former football player.-Club career:When still a teenager Johnson moved to England to seek a professional football contract. He joined the youth ranks of Watford, and made his league début in the closing stages of the 1991/92 season...
Jimmy McNab James Wilkinson Stuart Musialik
Stuart Musialik
Stuart Musialik is an Australian football player who currently plays for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.- Club career :...
Nigel Boogaard
Nigel Boogaard
Nigel Boogaard is an Australian football player. He currently plays as a central defender for the Australian A-League club Adelaide United.-Central Coast Mariners:...
Brad Swancott Anthony Surjan James Monie
James Monie
James Monie is an Australian football player, who plays for Sydney Olympic.-References:...
Honours
- Grand Finals: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995,2010
- Premierships (now known as Minor Premiership since the introduction of Grand Finals): 1931, 1936, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1996, 2004, 2010
- Club Championships: 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1996, 2004
- The club has also won the numerous State and Local Cups that have been in existence over the years, including the Stevenson Cup, Ampol Cup, Hemmings Cup, BP Cup, State Cup, Alcan Cup, Gardiner Cup, Kerr Cup, Tycon Cup and Shehan Cup.