Clubs leap into new state league

Caboolture and Samford Rangers have been named among the eight clubs which will form the new state-level Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) 2 from 2021.

Samford move up two tiers, bypassing the Brisbane Premier League (BPL), to go straight into the state’s new third division, the FQPL2. Caboolture move up one level from the BPL.

They will be joined by Coomera Colts, Magic United (Carrara), Grange Thistle, North Star (Zillmere), Taringa Rovers and Virginia United – who were selected from 15 applicants.

New coaches

Both sides will enter the FQPL2 with new coaches. Paul Brownlie has taken over at Samford, replacing Terry Kirkham who has moved to Caboolture as Head of Football and Head Coach. “We already had Terry coming here to get us higher in the BPL, then this (FQPL2) opportunity came along,” says Caboolture General Manager Peter Dutton.

“Our five-year plan was to go to the NPL. Everything was in motion …. and now everyone is over the moon. This has created a lot of excitement and we’re confident we can get it going.”

New signings

Early recruitment has seen defender Cameron Crestani, who won the NPL Premiership with Peninsula Power this month, sign for Snakes with ex-Power striker Shaun Feuerriegel. Carol Bacioterracino has also re-signed and more are to be announced.

Wednesday’s announcement caps a remarkable rise for Samford who won Brisbane’s Capital League 1 this season by 11 points, losing just one game.

Rangers had won Capital League 4 in 2017, skipped Capital 3 in a restructure, were runners-up in Capital 2 in 2018 and finished seventh in Capital 1 last season.

Key figure

“We thought we’d be going into the BPL, but the FQPL option came up,” says Rangers President Graham Young, “we considered it and thought we’d give it a go.

“This doesn’t really change many plans for us. Getting Paul Brownlie as head coach was very important and like all teams we’re looking to bolster playing stocks.”

Samford is interviewing candidates to coach its Under 23 team in the FQPL2 which has four clubs (Rangers, Grange, Virginia, North Star) all from Brisbane northern suburbs.

Local derbies

“Everyone loves local derbies,” says Graham Young, who was club treasurer and became president two weeks ago, “we’re looking forward to them.”

Paul Brownlie’s playing career included time at Peninsula Power, Caboolture, North Star, and Strikers. He has coached at North Star, Caboolture and steered Samford Reserves to the premiership this year.

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