HISTORY
About Us
In 1977 a group of students and lecturers from the then Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (DDIAE) got together and formed the DDIAE Amateur Soccer Club. They originally competed in the intramural "Piggots Shield", an on campus competition open to any interested student groups.
In 1978, the club formally joined the Toowoomba and District Soccer Federation, with their first competitive match being against Rockville, possibly in third grade, which the students won. Originally they hosted games in the vacant area behind the Toowoomba Education Centre, just to the East of McGregor College, but at some time in the next couple of years, the club moved to share the cricket and Aussie rules oval next to Steel Rudd College. Unfortunately, details for this time period are scarce.
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In 1984, DDIAE lecturer Jim Taylor assumed coaching responsibilities for the men's first division, and started one of the golden eras for the club. In that season, the first grade managed a creditable 3rd place finish, but it was the reserves that had the most memorable year. Undefeated through the regular season they progressed straight through to the grand final. Despite being 3-0 up after only fifteen minutes, they managed to somehow lose 5-4.
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1985 was arguably the most successful year the club has ever had. At the end of the regular season, both first and reserve grade men's teams were minor premiers, while the ladies finished fourth. Both men's teams reached their respective Grand Finals. The reserves made amends for the previous year, and all focus switched to the top side. In first grade, Wanderers were competing to win their 13th grand final in a row, but DDIAE stepped up to claim the title, and complete the double double (First and Reserve grade minor and major premiers) for the only time in the clubs history.
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1986 and first grade were at it again. They defended their minor premiership, and drew with Wanderers in the Grand Final. In the last ever Grand Final replay, DDIAE scored in the dying stages to again claim the title. Unfortunately, in 1987 Jim Taylor switched to coach St Albans who were then playing in Brisbane 3rd grade, and took a number of our best players with him. That, combined with the natural turnover of students, left the club short of quality and experience. First grade still managed a creditable 3rd place, but missed the finals the next year. It would be 6 years before they reached the finals again. Reserves won the 1988 grand final, though it would be another 10 years till they played on the last day of the season again.
For one season, possibly 1989, Garden City played a colts team under the DDIAE banner, and despite a massive points deduction for using an ineligible player for most of the season, reached the Grand Final and won. Unfortunately, all but one of that team moved on the following year, and the relationship between the clubs ended.
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The ladies proved to be the shining light of the club for the next few seasons, reaching the finals every year, and a couple of grand finals, and lifted the trophy for the one and only time in the early 90's. 1990 and 91 were dark years for the men with first grade winning only 3 games in those 2 seasons, and reserves doing not much better.
​
The spirit of the club never wavered though, typified on one occasion when a total of 19 players played 9 games in a 15 day student holiday period, so that the club would not forfeit any fixtures. 1990 also brought about a change of names with the DDIAE becoming the University College of Southern Queensland, and then in 1992 we finally became The University of Southern Queensland.
About that time, we also moved to our current Baker St home. The change in name and location were reflected with positive on-field changes as well. With the same core of players for several seasons, and a couple of new quality players, the men started to become more competitive. In fact our rise in fortunes can be pinpointed to one game.
​
In 1977 a group of students and lecturers from the then Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (DDIAE) got together and formed the DDIAE Amateur Soccer Club. They originally competed in the intramural "Piggots Shield", an on campus competition open to any interested student groups.
In 1978, the club formally joined the Toowoomba and District Soccer Federation, with their first competitive match being against Rockville, possibly in third grade, which the students won. Originally they hosted games in the vacant area behind the Toowoomba Education Centre, just to the East of McGregor College, but at some time in the next couple of years, the club moved to share the cricket and Aussie rules oval next to Steel Rudd College. Unfortunately, details for this time period are scarce.
​
In 1984, DDIAE lecturer Jim Taylor assumed coaching responsibilities for the men's first division, and started one of the golden eras for the club. In that season, the first grade managed a creditable 3rd place finish, but it was the reserves that had the most memorable year. Undefeated through the regular season they progressed straight through to the grand final. Despite being 3-0 up after only fifteen minutes, they managed to somehow lose 5-4.
1985 was arguably the most successful year the club has ever had. At the end of the regular season, both first and reserve grade men's teams were minor premiers, while the ladies finished fourth. Both men's teams reached their respective Grand Finals. The reserves made amends for the previous year, and all focus switched to the top side. In first grade, Wanderers were competing to win their 13th grand final in a row, but DDIAE stepped up to claim the title, and complete the double double (First and Reserve grade minor and major premiers) for the only time in the clubs history.
​
1986 and first grade were at it again. They defended their minor premiership, and drew with Wanderers in the Grand Final. In the last ever Grand Final replay, DDIAE scored in the dying stages to again claim the title. Unfortunately, in 1987 Jim Taylor switched to coach St Albans who were then playing in Brisbane 3rd grade, and took a number of our best players with him. That, combined with the natural turnover of students, left the club short of quality and experience. First grade still managed a creditable 3rd place, but missed the finals the next year. It would be 6 years before they reached the finals again. Reserves won the 1988 grand final, though it would be another 10 years till they played on the last day of the season again.
For one season, possibly 1989, Garden City played a colts team under the DDIAE banner, and despite a massive points deduction for using an ineligible player for most of the season, reached the Grand Final and won. Unfortunately, all but one of that team moved on the following year, and the relationship between the clubs ended.
​
The ladies proved to be the shining light of the club for the next few seasons, reaching the finals every year, and a couple of grand finals, and lifted the trophy for the one and only time in the early 90's. 1990 and 91 were dark years for the men with first grade winning only 3 games in those 2 seasons, and reserves doing not much better.
​
The spirit of the club never wavered though, typified on one occasion when a total of 19 players played 9 games in a 15 day student holiday period, so that the club would not forfeit any fixtures. 1990 also brought about a change of names with the DDIAE becoming the University College of Southern Queensland, and then in 1992 we finally became The University of Southern Queensland.
About that time, we also moved to our current Baker St home. The change in name and location were reflected with positive on-field changes as well. With the same core of players for several seasons, and a couple of new quality players, the men started to become more competitive. In fact our rise in fortunes can be pinpointed to one game.
​
In 2019 USQ FC under the coaching of Matthew Proctor again made a great start to the campaign beating Willowburn FC. USQ FC Premiers continued to perform strong results over the season, taking out the minor premiership for the second year running and narrowly losing out to Willowburn FC in both the Presidents Cup and Grand FInal. In the womens team USQ FC women became the first team in 2 seasons to defeat Willowburn FC Ladies and have continued to grow under the coaching of Andrew Simshauser. With both the conference and Chmpionship teams finishing just outside final football after having indifferent season and results.
In 2020 with Technical Director Matt Proctor moving to Brisbane but having put USQ FC in a good direction have appointed Nial McCarthy as its new Technical Director of coaching and bringing new coaching techniques and implementing new club direction, continuing from the good work by Matt.
2020 was a transitional year for USQ FC with only the ladies team reaching the finals. The Miniroos and junior part of the club goes from strength to strength and we continue to increase players and teams in this age range.
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2021 with several coaching changes and player movement in senior grade we were inconsistent throughout the season, but did show promise in a few games. We welcomed to new committee members to the club, Tiffany Burstow and Alicia Fitzpatrick. Both ladies took on a huge amount of involvement.
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2022 - Off-Field the club goes from strength to strength, however on the field it was another year of inconsistent performances and near misses. The club has managed to fix up the snack Shack Food Trailer for use again and it has further enhanced our partnership with Pro Sports Group and Umbro and our official Supplier of all our on-field and off-field gear and merchandise.
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2023 - Looks to continue where we left off, there's a lot to look forward to as we return for another season. Player numbers in senior grade look to have risen, and hopefully in a few years time we may go back to having a premier Mens team take the field once more.
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USQ FC AWARDS
2019
2019 Grand Final Winners
2019 Minor Premiers
2018
2019 Grand Final Winners
2019 Minor Premiers
2017
2019 Grand Final Winners
2019 Minor Premiers
2016
2019 Grand Final Winners
2019 Minor Premiers
2015
2019 Grand Final Winners
2019 Minor Premiers
2014
2019 Grand Final Winners
2019 Minor Premiers
2013
2019 Grand Final Winners
2019 Minor Premiers
2012
2019 Grand Final Winners
2019 Minor Premiers