Robertsham Callies History
Our Legacy and Heritage
Robertsham Callies United was founded in the 1961 by the late Meyer “Ginger” Jacobson who was the headmaster of the local Robertsham Primary School.
He gathered several local people namely Dave Buys, Fred Van Rensburg, Jack Goldswain, Cliff Bell and several others with the primary purpose being to keep the youngsters occupied during the weekends. The original “Little League” was formed for kids between the ages of five and eleven and consisted of eight teams. Games were played at the Robertsham Primary School soccer fields and an old caravan was used as changing rooms.
All went smoothly, but in 1964 kids that turned 12 and were leaving primary school and had nowhere to play. Robertsham Soccer Club entered teams into the Southern Transvaal Leagues to accommodate all the kids that were part of the Club.
In 1971 Robertsham Soccer Club moved to its new home at Bawden Park in Southdale. The club house was originally built in 1975, which coincided with the senior team entering and winning the National Football Third Division as well as the amateur Transvaal League. Robertsham won the National Football Second Division in 1977 but were unable to take their place in the elite division alongside teams such as Highlands Park and Durban City due to financial constraints and continual pressure from the Southern Transvaal Football League.
In the early 1980’s the Club dominated the Transvaal Football League and won the League and Cup double for four years in succession. Such was their success that they won the league no less than nine times in thirteen years. The junior teams also enjoyed great success and hundreds of players were awarded district and SA colours. Robertsham players Ivan Grant, Ricci Bucceri and Kenny Saddler were awarded Springbok colours.
During 1985 to 1986 local neighbours Southern Callies moved their operations from Chris Park to Southdale and the newly formed club became known as Robertsham Callies United.
The year 1989 saw the club ending in third place in the First Division with the junior sections winning no less than eleven trophies, and consequently with twenty-six junior players and six senior players receiving Southern Transvaal Colours.
Robertsham Callies United is one of the largest and most respected amateur clubs in South Africa and presently has 24 teams from under 6 to senior level. The newly formed committee has assisted in several major improvements at the Club by revamping the home and away changing room facilities, remodelling the bar, and building a new coffee shop. The committee’s vision is to provide all its playing members with a better education and in this regard is currently building an Education Centre that will assist its playing members to achieve academic success.
Many well-known players in SA football developed their skills at Robertsham Callies United, including but not limited to Shane McGregor, Riyaad Pietersen, Daniel Cardoso, Tshepo Moloto, Gary Mathews, Rowan Maulgue, Sheldon Davenport etc. etc.
