Monaro Panthers FC

Monaro Panthers FC (formerly known as Inter Monaro SC) is an Australian association football club based in the city of Queanbeyan, New South Wales. The club was founded in 1967, and currently competes in the National Premier Leagues Capital Football in the Australian Capital Territory.

Monaro Panthers is a club that represents and caters for the Monaro regional area as a whole including Queenbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Canberra, Googong, Bungendore, Sutton, Michaelago and the South Coast of NSW. The club fields teams in both men's and women's from the elite NPL level and recreational seniors to juniors and mini roos.

History

Foundation and early years

Monaro was established in 1967 as Inter Monaro Soccer Club. The club first competed in the ACT league Division 1 (top division) between 1968 and 1977 before moving to the New South Wales (NSW) system in 1978 where the club played until they won the NSW Division one (top division) title in 1984. In 1985 the club were accepted into the National Soccer League.

Inter enjoyed early success in the ACT with the club winning its first trophy in its first season. Monaro lifted the 1968 Federation Cup trophy after beating Olympic (now Canberra Olympic) 1–0 in the final. Inter reached the final after a 1–0 victory over Croatia Deakin (now Canberra FC) in the quarter-finals and a 2–1 victory over Juventus in the semi-finals.

Monaro backed up this success in 1976 when they once again won the Federation Cup tournament with wins over Canberra United, 6–2, West Woden Juventus, 1–0, leading the club to a final showdown with Downer Olympic on 29 August 1976. Inter Monaro despatched Downer 3–1 in the final to claim the title for the second time in the club's short history.

1977 was Inters most successful season in its history. Not only did Monaro successfully defend its Federation Cup title, it additionally won both the league Premiership and finals Championship titles too, giving the club its first 'treble'. Inter won the le