SOME of Ipswich’s best footballers and closest mates have reunited to celebrate a historic feat.

The memorable occasion was the 40th anniversary of Ipswich United’s incredible achievement winning the Brisbane Premier League grand final-premiership double.

Striker Russell Beckwith scored the winning goal in Ipswich United’s 1-0 triumph over Lions at Perry Park.

Beckwith’s cousin and skilful midfielder Brett Kitching was named Man of the Match in the grand final.

United also won the 1985 premier division premiership - with 32 wins and 12 draws from their 54 matches – and wrapped up the club championships having also impressed in the Reserves and Colts competitions.

Last Saturday’s get-together at the Ipswich Knights headquarters doubled as the 21st consecutive year St Helens held a reunion to celebrate their club achievements.

Ipswich United was originally made up of Coalstars and St Helens players.

The Ebbw Vale-based St Helens United and Bundamba-based Coalstars clubs amalgamated in 1998 to form the Ipswich Knights.

St Helens and Coalstars had played major roles in Ipswich’s football history.

The victorious 1985 Ipswich United side was captained by former St Edmund’s College principal and highly regarded defender Wayne Warren.

“We had a wonderful brand of youth and experience,” Warren said.

Former Ipswich United history-making captain Wayne Warren. Photo: LYLE RADFORD

Other players included goalkeeper Paul McClure; defenders Mark Atmore, teenager Damien Butler, Dallas Graham and former international Ian Lawrie; midfielders Kitching, Randall McKeand and Jeff Dann; and strikers Peter Vogler, Ron Millman and Beckwith.

Richie Barnard, Glen Gibb, John Bennett and Nev O’Sullivan were among spirited footballers to help the victorious team during the season.

Warren said it being premiers and “first past the post” was an indication of what a great season Ipswich United had.

Kitching said a major reason the Ipswich team was so successful was head coach Matt Carson adding the right players to strengthen locally-produced talents.

“What he did very well was he had a specific way of playing,” Kitching said.

“He knew many players of good calibre around Brisbane and he was able to bring those players from different clubs he coached over the years.

“He knew the type of players that he wanted, the format that he wanted to play and he let those players do that for him.

“It had a formula that worked.”

Import specialists during the successful era included Millman, Atmore, Bennett, Kevin Coleman and Ken Gordon.

Under Carson's guidance, Ipswich United also won Brisbane competition grand finals in 1982 and 1984 and 1993 Ampol Cup.

“He had success wherever he went really,” Warren said.

“He saw the game very simplistically.

“He got the best out of the players that we had and knew how they operated essentially.”

Warren had earlier played in United’s 1982 and 1984 grand final victories.

The respected captain said the only regret was not completing the triple – adding the Ampol Cup to the 1985 achievements.

Kitching shared in Carson's Ipswich successes from 1984 on, having won the state league final and Ampol Cup for Townsville in 1982.

United’s 1985 grand final-winning goalkeeper McClure, aged 19, shared the custodian duties with Bennett through the season.

“Lucky enough, we were good enough to win and it was a really enjoyable year,” McClure said, having stepped up for the injured Bennett.

“I remember the opposition coach was putting a bit of pressure on us in the papers saying that I was a weak link and all that sort of stuff with being a youngster.

”I thought I pulled off a few saves here and there.”

The Lions’ side included state player Robert Farrow.

McClure joined United aged 18 and retired at 31.

McClure still enjoys playing golf with the Old Boys.

“It’s always good to catch up,” he said.

He acknowledged the leadership of Warren.

“Wayne, being a school teacher and principal, he had that aura about him and if Wayne spoke, you listened,” McClure said.

Long-time player and St Helens supporter Jeff Dann was thrilled with the turnout at the reunion.

“It’s the friendship and bond,” Dann said.

“When you play in a team, it actually builds character and you know the individuals and all their skills.

“A team effort is really important as you go through life and those friendships stay with you.”