Western Magpies is a proud footy club which has grown from humble beginnings to become a force in the QAFL.
While most players hail from Brisbane’s western suburbs, the club welcomes players from all corners of the state including the Darling Downs, Ipswich and the Gold Coast.
With 2016 marking the 150th anniversary of footy in Queensland, the Magpies are also celebrating 60 years as a club.
In keeping with AFLQ’s 150-year homecoming theme, the Magpies will host their own homecoming event on June 18 where they will reminisce and honour those who dedicated their time over the six decades of the club.
President Kevin Kluver played in the first game as a Magpie and said he is extremely proud to be involved in such an important celebration.
“We’ve had our ups and downs like all clubs do but because of the people in the club, we’ve always managed to survive,” Kluver said.
“I’m really looking forward to the 60th as it’s a chance for us to get a lot of our great supporters back to celebrate.”
Fittingly, the Pies will host traditional rivals Mt Gravatt on the day; a symbolic fixture.
The Magpies as we know them today have competed in the QAFL since 2001, however have roots back to 1956 when the Sherwood AFC came into existence.
In 1958 the club was forced to use Sherwood School as their home ground before managing to rent an oval at the Graceville Memorial Park the following season.
The club developed out of Sherwood Juniors and competed in the metropolitan division of the QAFL before evolving to become the renowned Western Magpies many years later.
The Magpies have enjoyed their share of success in the QAFL competition, including premiership wins in 2006 for both the seniors and reserves.
This was the first of three Grand Final appearances for the mighty Pies, with the club going on to win two premiership flags.
The Magpies’ depth was evident with the reserves side swooping in and winning an incredible three premierships in a row from 2005 to 2007, including two undefeated years in ’05 and ’06.
The club will welcome back former senior and reserves premiership players and coaches from 2006 on July 9 for their 10-year reunion.
There are several players from 2006 who are amazingly still playing senior footy for the club, namely Val Pope, Luke Scott, Gabe McKinnon, Tim McEvoy and Jayden Morton.
These loyal Pies have been with the club through thick and thin and have developed into leaders for the younger players.
Western Magpies are sitting sixth on the QAFL ladder; a win against Surfers Paradise on Saturday will keep them on track for a place in the finals.
By Joshua Cheadle
