A CLUB IS BORN

Morwell Pegasus Soccer Club was officially formed as a club at a meeting held on Tuesday 12 May, 1959. At this meeting it was agreed to name the new club ‘Morwell Pegasus S.F.C’. The club’s first president was Mr A.Leaney, the secretary was Mr H.Clark and the treasurer was Mr J.Bullock.

Pegasus was the name of an English amateur league club and was selected because members believed the name was ‘neutral’. The same can be said about the strip colours selected. Claret and sky blue were agreed upon because they were neutral and no other country used this combination. The club symbol Pegasus, the flying horse was derived from Greek mythology.

The original team to play under the name of Morwell Pegasus S.F.C comprised of men from England, Australia, Germany, Holland, Scotland, Poland, Switzerland and Malta.

THE FIRST KICK OFF

During the 1959 season, Pegasus played in the Provisional Division of the Latrobe Valley Amateur Football Association against a handful of other teams, which included Werkspoorn, (Fortuna 60) Tigers, Morwell, RAAF and a second Pegasus team.

On July 27, 1959 it was reported in one of the local newspapers that Melita club in the local league had folded. In a written request from Pegasus the club asked if it could replace Melita’s position in the league. This request was to be considered at a league meeting to discuss Melita’s withdrawal. In August league management committee rejected Pegasus’ application for admission to the principal league. Its reason for the rejection being Melita had only ‘technically’ withdrawn its team from the league for the rest of the season, not withdrawn as a club. However Pegasus was finally admitted to the local league/association in 1960.

PEGS QUICK TO SUCCESS

In their first season Pegasus finished league runners-up. The club was then given the use of a ground in Vary Street, Morwell located where Morwell East Football ground is now. Pegasus moved to the new ground in 1964 and this became the home of the Flying horse (Ronald Reserve) and still is to this day.

The first success for the young club came during the 1962 season when the club won the league and the ‘Advertiser Shield’ tournament. In the same year, Pegasus also won the lightning premiership, which was the toughest and most spectacular event during the season.

Pegasus proved it was definitely a powerhouse in the following year when it won three major trophies; League Champions, Advertiser Shield and the Battle of Britain Cup. However in 1964 Pegasus failed to bring home any silverware finishing league runners-up.

Pegasus was again runners-up in 1965 but did manage to win the Advertiser Shield. From 1967 to 1969, Pegasus finished league runners-up three consecutive times but took home a Lightning Premiership, Mecca Charity Bowl and Advertiser Shield

MORE SUCCESS

Morwell Pegasus won the Battle of Britain cup three times in the seventies and also came home with a league championship and a Charity Bowl. In 1978 Pegasus entered its very first women’s team into the local league. The men’s team capped off the decade with more silverware, adding another league championship and Charity Bowl to its extensive collection.

PEGASUS GROWS

During the early 80s Morwell Pegasus Soccer Club embarked on a major facilities building program to build new club rooms which it could call its own. Obtaining a building permit from the council of the time, Pegasus engaged a builder to commence its first major project, the construction of a clubroom to hold more than 200 people. One of the first functions to be held in the new building was the 1984 club presentation night.

However this was a quite decade for the club on the pitch, which failed to bring home any league champions

A NEW DIRECTION

In the mid 90s Pegasus’ administration approached respected soccer identity Sean Byrne to lead both the senior and reserve teams. After accepting, Sean would lead the club through its most important era of football.

In 1995 Pegasus applied to the Victorian Soccer Federation to join the Melbourne Provisional League 3^rd Division, however the club’s submission was rejected. The following year Pegasus dominated the Latrobe Valley Soccer League, winning both the senior and reserve league championships. During this season Pegasus again applied to join the Provisional League but this time its submission was successful.

In its inaugural year in the Provisional League, Pegasus were crowned champions and promoted to Division 2.

Success again followed in 1998, with the club once again winning both senior and reserve divisions.

The end of the millennium was another important year for the Horsemen, with the club celebrating its 40^th anniversary with a Gala Ball held at Kernot Hall, Morwell. The event reunited past players, members, committee and supporters.

PEGS BREAK CHAMPIONSHIP DROUGHT

Mid-2001, due to ill-health, Sean’s decorated coaching career drew to a close. In his six years with the club, Sean lifted Pegasus from the Latrobe Valley league to State League Division 2. He was succeeded by Mark Cassar.

Following Sean’s retirement, Pegasus would struggle for survival in State League Division 2 before being relegated to Division 3 in 2005.

However, in 2007 former National Soccer League player Clayton Bell took over the coaching role and in the same year Pegasus finished third, missing promotion by one position.

In 2008 Bell spearheaded the Horsemen to its first championship in a decade and with his help the club has returned to Division 2, where it will compete in 2009. However, Bell stepped down as coach to concentrate playing for the Horsemen.

New coach Dale White led Pegasus to fifth spot in their return to State Leauge Divsion 2.