SEMPER PARATUS - ALWAYS READY
Over 50 Years Building Football Legacy in Gladstone
1971 - 1977
Founding Years & Search for a Home
Clinton Football Club was founded in 1971, when a group of local soccer supporters met at the Gladstone Town Hall and formed Clinton Park Soccer Club, with “Park” later dropped from the name. Early years were challenging, particularly in 1973 with the departure of founding president George Coffin, placing pressure on the young club.
Stability returned with the arrival of Bill Wyper and Ted Coyle, whose leadership revitalised operations. Wyper took on coaching duties for the senior men’s team, while administrators shifted focus toward junior development. A successful junior sign-on at South Gladstone School sparked rapid growth, prompting fixtures to move from the Showgrounds to Blain Park in 1974, which became the home of junior football for the next two decades.
By 1975, Clinton FC had expanded to 14 junior teams (U6–U16) and established separate junior and senior committees, creating strong foundations both on and off the field. As participation continued to grow, the club recognised the need for a permanent home ground. In 1977, Graham Ferguson generously offered a free lease on land at Harvey Road, also contributing equipment and personal time - a pivotal step in securing the club’s long-term future.
1978 - 1990
Building Facilities & Regional Competition
The late 1970s and 1980s were defined by infrastructure development and progression into regional competition. Following the securing of land at Harvey Road, volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s to transform the site, constructing buildings, installing lighting, and establishing essential infrastructure including water tanks.
On the field, Clinton FC took a major step forward in 1983 by entering the Central Queensland (CQ) League, competing at a regional level and often representing Gladstone as its sole club. Despite strong opposition and challenging seasons, the senior men’s team quickly established itself as competitive within the league.
By 1985, the Harvey Road ground was ready to host matches. However, in 1987, development plans were halted when Council announced a proposed road would cut through the field. In response, Clinton joined the Clinton Park Sports Association (CPSA) in 1986, helping complete the clubhouse, lighting and supporting facilities. By 1988, competitive matches were relocated to the CPSA grounds.
Following the move, Clinton entered a period of competitive consistency. In 1989, the club fielded three senior men’s teams and a women’s team in local competitions. In 1990, the Port Curtis Soccer Federation introduced a Premier Division, with Clinton teams making finals across all grades, highlighting growing strength and depth.
1991 -1999
Regional Football & Golden Years
Clinton FC returned to the CQ League in 1991, with the Premier men’s team competing regionally while local teams remained strong. That year, the First Division men were Minor Premiers, and the women’s team reached the semi-finals.
Success followed in 1992, when the First Division men won the grand final, backed by strong performances across the club. Continued facility improvements supported growth, including upgraded lighting in 1993, enabling night football.
In 1994, the First Division men again won the championship, while the women’s team secured their first-ever grand final victory, a milestone achievement. Women’s success continued with another premiership in 1996.
The late 1990s proved a golden era. In 1998, Clinton achieved a historic clean sweep, with the First Division men, Second Division men and women’s teams all winning their respective grand finals, the first year finals were held at Marley Brown Oval. In 1999, all three teams again reached the grand finals, with the women’s team winning the premiership, capping an outstanding decade.
2000 - 2006
League Evolution & Club-Wide Success
The early 2000s marked an important period of growth for Clinton FC, both competitively and structurally. In 2000, the regional competition was renamed the Midstate League, and Clinton’s representing team qualified for the finals for the first time. That same year, the CPSA grounds received major upgrades through Queensland Government funding, with almost $40,000 invested into the construction of a third oval and the installation of irrigation systems to ovals two and three.
Improvements continued in 2001 with the addition of a new roof over the CPSA clubhouse patio, with that year proving to be successful for the Second Division men, who won the 2001 grand final.
In 2002, Clinton enjoyed success across multiple grades. The Ladies team won the grand final against BITS via a penalty shootout, while the Second Division men defeated Yaralla in sudden-death penalties to claim the premiership. Clinton reached the Midstate League finals, reinforcing their steady progress at this level.
In the 2004 local leagues, the First Division men won the grand final against Central, while the women’s team secured another premiership, continuing their dominance during this era.
In 2005, Clinton entered two teams into the Capricornia Senior League (CSL) - one in Division One and one in Division Two. The CSL Division One side won the consolation grand final, while the CSL Division Two team finished as Minor Premiers. The club also enjoyed success at the Over 35s carnival in Townsville, turning a social trip into a tournament victory and prize-winning campaign.
Momentum carried into 2006, with the CSL Division One team claiming their first Minor Premiership, the CSL Division Two team finishing second, and the women’s team again winning the grand final via penalty shootout. Capping off an outstanding year, Clinton FC was awarded the Champion Club Award for 2006, recognising excellence across all divisions.
2007 - 2016
Wesley Hall Cup & Sustained Excellence
The years 2007 to 2016 represent one of the most defining periods in Clinton FC history, marked by sustained success, growing belief and a long-awaited breakthrough at Premier League level. Under Coaches Derek & Dan Horton, Clinton’s Premier men (CSL) established themselves as consistent contenders, while strong results continued across all grades.
In 2008, Clinton enjoyed a standout season across competitions. Despite a challenging run of finals losses at the top level, the club secured three Minor Premierships for the Premier men (CSL), Second Division (Grubs) and Women’s team. The Premier men also reached the Wesley Hall Cup grand final, narrowly missing out but clearly signalling that a breakthrough was imminent.
That moment arrived in unforgettable fashion in 2009, when grand finals were held at Marley Brown Oval and Clinton was represented in multiple deciders. The Second Division men claimed the championship with a 1–0 victory, before the day was capped off by the Premier men’s emphatic 7–1 win over Bluebirds in the Wesley Hall Cup grand final. The triumph was monumental. Clinton’s first Wesley Hall Cup victory after 26 years of pursuit.
Momentum continued into the next phase of dominance. The Premier men claimed Minor Premierships in 2010, 2011 and 2012, while success spread across the club. In 2010, the First Division men won the premiership. The era was capped by a second Wesley Hall Cup triumph in 2012, with a commanding 7–1 grand final win over Nerimbera. That same year, the Reserves team secured the premiership, reinforcing the club’s depth and consistency.
From 2013 to 2016, the Premier men reached four consecutive Wesley Hall Cup grand finals against Frenchville, finishing as runners-up on each occasion. Success across other grades continued, with the women’s team winning the 2013 premiership and the Reserve grade claiming another premiership in 2015 and 2016, further highlighting Clinton FC’s sustained excellence across all levels.
2017 - 2022
Resilience & Community
While 2017 did not deliver a grand final appearance for the Premier men, the club quickly regrouped. In 2018, Clinton returned to the top, with the Premier men winning the Wesley Hall Cup, defeating Cap Coast 1–0 in extra time at CPSA. The season also delivered premierships for both the First Division and Second Division men, underlining the club’s strength across multiple grades. This triumph marked the final Wesley Hall Cup success for the highly successful coaching partnership of Derek and Dan Horton, who had guided the club to three titles.
The club remained competitive in 2019, while also strengthening its community presence by hosting the inaugural Clinton Cup Carnival, attracting more than 300 participants from across the region. Continued investment in facilities followed, including a new junior shed and upgraded training equipment.
Despite disruptions caused by COVID-19 in 2020, Clinton adapted and continued to perform strongly, with the First Division men winning the premiership. In 2021, the club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gala dinner and reunion of past and present players and supporters. On the field, Clinton again reached the Premier League grand final, narrowly losing to Frenchville.
In 2022, Clinton combined success with social impact. The Premier U23s and Premier women both won premierships, while the club’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Day raised $15,000 for the McGrath Foundation, cementing Clinton FC’s role as both a competitive and community-focused club.
2023 - 2025
Wesley Hall Three-Peat
The period from 2023 to 2025 represents one of the most dominant chapters in Clinton FC history. In 2023, the club stamped its authority as Central Queensland’s benchmark, with the Premier men winning the Wesley Hall Cup, alongside premierships for the U23s and Premier women, and a runner-up finish for the U16s on grand final day.
Club history was made again in 2024, when Clinton secured its first-ever back-to-back Wesley Hall Cup victories with another hard-fought grand final win over Frenchville. The season also saw the First Division men claim the premiership, while Clinton’s junior and senior squads continued to perform strongly across competitions.
The dominance continued in 2025, as the Premier men completed a historic Wesley Hall Cup three-peat, defeating Frenchville 2–0 in the grand final. The Premier women capped off an outstanding season as Minor Premiers, while the FQPL U12/13s finished runners-up, highlighting the strength of Clinton’s development pathways.
Together, these achievements, combined with strong performances across Premier League, local competition and junior teams - confirm Clinton FC’s place as one of the strongest, most successful and most respected football clubs in Central Queensland.
