The Casterton Football Club is one of the oldest Country Football Clubs in Victoria, being formed on the 22nd of May, 1875 at a meeting held at Grants Albion Hotel, HentyStreet, Casterton. The town and people of Casterton are justly proud of their football club’s history and achievements during its 114 years of existence.

The first football match at Casterton was an inner club match between two sides selected by Mr. F. Lawrence and Mr. W. S. Targetts, on Wednesday, 9th June 1875. This match and other matches were played at the ‘Flat’ or old Recreation Reserve, now used as the present Polo-Cross ground near Dunrobin Road. The following Saturday the team played its first inter-town match against a strong Hamilton side, and was defeated 2 goals to nil (no behind posts were used in the early days, hence the low score). Some of the players who represented Casterton in this match were J. Carmichael, M. McPherson, J. Cussen (the first Casterton player to play V.F.L., playing with Essendon), F. Lawrence, O. O’Reilly, M. Harrison, J. Jeffries, W. Robertson, Killem, Clarke, Targetts.

During these early days 1889/98, Casterton fielded two teams, Casterton and Casterton United Football Club (later changing to the Casterton Parkville Football team, using the Glenelg River as the dividing boundary). The first match against a Mount Gambier team was in 1891, competing for the Mount Gambier Football Challenge Trophy. Mount Gambier won with a score of 2-6 to 1-7.

At the start of the century Casterton played in the Glenelg Association Football League and in 1914 a Casterton team known as “Clifton-Hill” (later known as Sleepy Hollow) Football Club won the premiership, captained by George ‘Leather’ Gill. George Gill, who played a few games with Geelong, is reputed to be the first paid football coach in Casterton. He captained and coached the Federals to three premierships in 1921, 1922 and 1924.In 1926 the two Casterton teams combined and won the premiership in the Glenelg Association during that season. During this era Frank Gill, regarded as the best footballer Casterton has produced burst upon the scene. After a few seasons with Casterton, Frank went down to Carlton to make a name for himself. Frank played 205 games with Carlton, mainly at full forward, captained Carlton, played in the 1938 premiership side, represented Victoria andwas finally made a Life Member of the Carlton Football Club.

In 1939 under the guidance of tough Dick Abikhair, Casterton won a flag, kicking a record score of 29-30. Players who played in that team were W. Outtram, J. Perry, McIlroy brothers, Wombwell and Hortle. (The colours of the jumpers were red black and white).

1945 after the war years, Casterton Football Club reformed joining the Glenelg Football League, and under the guidance of Tom Arklay (ex Geelong), won the premiership playing in the colours of blue and white. In the early years of the Western District Football League (1946/48) Casterton changed their colours to white with a red “V”, and had famous name coaches in Laurie Nash and Ted Rippon. Although getting into the finals they were unable to win a flag; but in 1949 with Jack Douglas at the helm of Casterton they again won a flag.

In 1953 Casterton changed Club colours to the present colours of blue and white. In 1956 the Club opened the new C. R. Gill Clubrooms, which at the time were regarded as the most elaborate clubrooms in the League. Also in 1956 the Reserves won a premiership at Merino under the guidance of captain Jim Johnson.

1958 saw Casterton make the grand final, but were defeated by Hamilton. Bob Lambert won the league’s Best and Fairest Award.

Then came the sensational sixties with the Cats winning five premierships in 10 years, producing five league Best and Fairest and five players making V.F.L. senior teams.

In 1960, under Don Whitten (brother of Ted), the Cats defeated Portland at Heywood in one of the wettest Grand Finals ever played. Ian McCallum won the league’s Best and Fairest Award.

In 1961 the Cats defeated Hamilton Imperials in one of the hottest Grand Finals on record with a temperature of over 90 degrees.

In 1962 the Cats played against Portland (led by Mick Twomey) and although down by 26 points in the final term and never having beaten the Tigers during the season, the Cats clawed their way back to win by 4 points in one of the most sensational finals ever staged in the W.D.F.L. Clem Hill won the Reserves Best and Fairest for the League.

In 1963 the Cats clashed with Heywood and with the brilliant Dennis Bell (league Best and Fairest Winner), and Reg Burgess kicking seven goals, the Cats raced away and won by over 10 goals. In 1964 Bob Richardson won the League’s Reserves Best and Fairest Award.

Also during the 60s five players joined the ranks of the V.F.L. Alan (Bull) Richardson, his brother Roger (Richmond), John and Barry Gill (Carlton) and David Robbie (Melbourne).

In 1967 David Robbie returned to coach the Cats and also won the League’s Best and Fairest Award.

In 1969 we again saw the Cats climb to the top of the ladder, winning their first premiership in the Western Border Football League with a good win over a classy Hamilton side. Coach of the team was Garry Gurney and prominent players were Dennis Oakley (ex V.F.A.), Bob Hando, Bruce Outtram (who later went to Collingwood), Rex Harvey (who won the leading goal kicking), Bob Murrell and John Gill.

During the 70s the Club had very lean times, finishing well down the ladder in all three grades.

In 1979 local Junior lad Russell Johnston ventured to Collingwood where he played 8 senior games with the Magpies; then played with port Adelaide, later to become Captain and represent his state several times.

In 1981 the seconds moulded together a great team, and under the guidance of popular playing coach Colin Creek, they won their first premiership in the W.B.F.L.

In 1983 Cats coach Michael Gregg won the W.B.F.L. Best and Fairest Award with a record number of 42 votes.

The seconds won the premiership in 1984 again led by Colin Creek and the thirds had a successful year making the finals.

In 1985 young ruckman, David Gill, won the League’s Best and Fairest in the thirds competition.

In 1988 the club opened the new social club rooms. What a tremendous asset this building has been to the club and the town. This venture was a tremendous club effort with the General Committee donating $43,000, the Ladies Social Committee donating $37,000, the players Committee donating $17,000 and Life Members $7,000 towards the cost. It was also supported by club debentures of $47,000. What a great effort by all these committees who worked together to help the club erect such a magnificent building.

In 1989, Cats’ dynamic rover, Tony Lithgow, won the league best and fairest award.

The Cats started the 90s in brilliant fashion, winning the premiership in 1990 under the guidance of Coach Glenn Carol and played in the next three grand finals.

In 1994, rugged on-baller Dale Sullivan won the reserve league medal.

In 1999 the Cats made the grand final again but unfortunately they were not successful.

During the last ten years the football team has struggled but has produced the following league medalists.

2002: Justin Munro won the league medal.

2003: Eamon Gill won the under 18 medal.

2006: Tim Rhook won the reserve medal.

2009: Peter Larkins won the reserve medal.