club history

Club Founder - In the late 1880's a Yorkshire miner, named Robert Ruddock arrived to work at the North Illawarra Coal Company's Corrimal Mine.  After settling in James Street, now Wilga Street, he thought it time the workers of the area had some form of recreation and so he called meetings to form both a cricket and football club.  Thus in 1891 Corrimal Soccer Club was born with Robert Ruddock as its founding secretary.   

First Matches and Players -  At the time of its foundation the South Coast district had several other football teams, Robinsville (now Thirroul), Helensburgh, Mt. Kembla , Woonona, Bellambi and of course the team which was to become the ultimate rival, Balgownie.  The first recorded match of the new club took place in 1892 at Robinsville against Balgownie and Corrimal lost 5 goals to nil.  In a match report only four of the Corrimal team, Wade, Galloway, W. Johnson and W. Richards, were mentioned, thus they are the only players we know for sure were part of the original team.

First Trophy - The 1893 season gave Corrimal their first trophy when they defeated Balgownie Rangers 2-1 in the final of the Bode Cup.

Memorial Park - In 1925 the Corrimal Rangers completed negotiations with the Memorial Park Trust and an agreement was signed allowing the club the use of the new area.  The ground was fenced by the club prior to the beginning of the season and the playing area was officially opened on 4th April, 1926.

N.S.W. Premiers in 1943 -  Corrimal Rangers first big success story was in 1943 when their teams became N.S.W.  Premiers of the New South Wales Soccer Football Association as well as Sheahan and Gibson Cup winners. 

Australian Representatives  - Names like Jim Jenkins, Arthur Druery, Bob Young and Bob Bignall head the list of players from Corrimal Rangers who have been selected to represent their country.