Sport
20 October, 2025
Fans, memories and rival revival
FANTIN Cup Football fans, family and players are gearing up for this year’s Dimbulah day of good sport, memories and rival revival.
Our last story before the event this weekend puts the spotlight on a true pioneer of the game in the Mareeba/Dimbulah area, Ferruccio Ius, or Frank for short.
At 89, Frank is one of the few remaining immigrants involved in the early days of local football and he has stories to tell.
Born in 1936, he grew up in war-torn Europe in Pordenone, Friuli, Italy. His love of the game began by playing on a rocky patch of gravel in front of the local church, using shirts as goal posts.
In his early 20s, Frank immigrated to Australia to be with a brother in Mareeba, was a bricklayer, and had a hand in many Mareeba homes until his retirement.
He was goalkeeper for Mareeba for 12 years, except for one year when, due to an on-field political dispute amongst rival clubs, Mareeba refused to nominate a team in the local competition. So Frank played for Dimbulah’s second club team, Croatia.
Formed by the local Croatian community, they were known to be tough competitors. In one game, a teammate known as Tarzan didn’t take too kindly to a referee’s decision and subsequently assaulted the referee. The club was suspended, and the whole competition ended early as both Mareeba and Croatia were out.
Frank described a time when Mareeba played a carnival in Ingham. The locals were so upset at being beaten that a local farmer got his tractor and ploughed up the soccer field.
Another gem was when Mareeba travelled to Cairns to play but were short three or four players. To avoid forfeiting the game, they simply grabbed a few of their spectators. Mareeba lost the game 5-4, however, the team scored all the goals. Apparently, the new recruits scored five own goals, Frank laughed.
In his day, Frank represented Far North Queensland, playing tournaments in New Guinea. When Mareeba was undefeated in 1961-1963 he won the prestigious Crad Evans trophy, alongside former teammates Mario Battistin, Berto Srhoj and Stephen Gould, who still live in the Mareeba district today.
The Fantin Cup will take place this Saturday at the Dimbulah Barras Football Club. The Under 45s will gets things underway from 4.45pm followed by the Little Legends and Ladies games at 6.15pm. there will be a short intermission before the “Dinosaurs” take the field for the main game of the night at 7.30pm.
Presentations and entertainment from local singer Shandelle Hilditch will then round out the night, and camping is available. Entry to the event is free. For more information, contact Sandro Soncin on 0417 843 015.
