SUMMARY of EVENTS ...

In 1989, Research Reserves were playing Epping in the Grand Final. In the second half of the game there were some significant incidents which resulted in a number of players being sent from the ground. After that, Research was playing with 14 players and lost the match. In the following week the Tribunal applied a $1,500 good behaviour bond on the club for the 1990 season. 

In Round 17 of 1990, Research Seniors played Templestowe. In the latter part of the game, there was concern expressed by Templestowe that Research had too many players on the ground. The Research score was reduced to zero meaning that they were unable to regain the lead and lost the match. After a protest to the Tribunal, the scores were given back so that Research was the winner and could play in the finals.

However, the incidents which resulted after the ‘head count’ issue in Round 17 saw the DVFL conducting an investigation into the behaviour of the Research Football Club. The result was that the bond applied at the end of the previous year was lost, and Research was told that, if there were any further misdemeanours for the remainder of 1990 and throughout the 1991 season, the Committee would recommend to the DVFL that a 12-month suspension be given to the Club.

At the end of the 1991 season, the Research Reserves team was playing West Preston. Research was being well beaten at half time. The aggression that resulted in the second half of the match saw a number of ugly incidents, some involving spectators. The outcome of the game was that the DVFL Investigation Committee met during the following week and decided that, in line with the conditions set at the end of the previous season, Research would be suspended for season 1992.

During the absence of Research in 1992, the DVFL allowed Whittlesea to fill th gap in the DVFL competition. Consequently, that was one of a number of factors which made re-entry of Research into the competition in 1993 extremely difficult. The ultimate hurdle, however, was the lack of new members prepared to join the committee and the reluctance of long-serving members to remain and re-build the club 'from scratch'.

Some newspaper cuttings below record how matters unfolded ...

The 'booklet' below is a collection of newspaper articles describing the issues which eventually resulted in the end of the club. It begins with details of a number of situations during 1990 when Research players or officials were required to attend a string of Tribunal meetings. 

The news article announcing the season-long suspension of the Club by the Tribunal is on page 5. The two pages after that (6 & 7) may require enlargement on you screen due to the size of the scanned news articles.

Following the Tribunal decision in 1991, the DVFL called a meeting of all clubs and determined that Research Senior Football Club should be expelled from the League and there was a limit placed on each club as to the number of ex-Research players they could sign up in the following year.

After spending a year without any teams, it was thought that there would likely be insurmountable difficulties involved in attempting to reform a club in 1993. Recruiting at least two teams (over 40 players), calling for numerous volunteers, and attracting significant finances were just some of the hurdles. Accordingly, it was decided that the Research Football Club had played its last game.

But the memories live on with the regular gatherings of past players, particularly the premiership reunions which have been held in 2024 & 2025. Hopefully these and other like it will continue.