The club was formed in 1990 as State Commonwealth Bank following a merger of State Bank and Commonwealth Bank, before changing its name to Southbank in 1994.
In late 1998, the club merged with Prahran Football Club, although the name "Southbank Amateur Football Club" remains registered with the VAFA.[3] Southbank's jumper has also been worn as Prahran's clash jumper since 2023.[4]
History
State Bank
Colours of State Bank
The State Bank Football Club was formed in 1920 as the State Savings Bank of Victoria Football Club (SSB).[5] The club was sponsored by the State Savings Bank of Victoria, and wore a maroon uniform during its years in the VBFA. Upon joining the MAFA, black with a yellow monogram and trim was adopted.[6][7] Its home games were played at Brighton Beach Oval Brighton.[8]
The club joined the joined the Victorian Banks Football Association (VBFA) in its first season in 1920, and was "overwhelming superior" in the competition, dominating for many years as its most popular club.[8][9][10]
State Savings Bank had players from both Melbourne and regional Victoria, and the club was a way of ensuring that bank employees who were transferred to Melbourne for employment purposes were not seduced by other "more disreputable" activities in their free time.[8] The inclusion of players from regional areas also increased interest among the bank's rural branches, and it was not unusual for regional employees on annual leave to attend games in Melbourne.[8]
Prior to the start of the 1927 season, State Savings Bank left the VBFA to join the Metropolitan Amateur Football Association (MAFA, later known as the VAFA). Unlike other workplace clubs which played its games on weekdays, State Savings Bank played on Saturday afternoons, and the switch to the MAFA was seen as convenient and practical.[8] The club also sought "a greater challenge and an appropriate social environment" in comparison to the VBFA.[8][12]
State Savings Bank won the C Section premiership in its first MAFA season, and was promoted to B Section.[13] The club continued to prosper throughout the 1930s, however a second C Section premiership did not come until 1961, and a third premiership came in E Section in 1972.[8][14]
The club was one of several that opposed the VAFA executive's decision to curtail the 1940 season due to World War II, instead advocating for continuing the season until the government requested a cessation.[15][16]
When the State Savings Bank of Victoria was renamed to State Bank in 1977, the club also changed its name.[17]
The Commonwealth Bank Football Club, nicknamed the Cobras, was formed in 1919 and sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank.[19] The club wore royal blue and gold colours.[20]
In 1946, Commonwealth Bank was reformed and joined the VAFA the following year in 1947.[23] The club won the C Section premiership the same year, which was followed by a B Section premiership in 1950. However, the club would not win another grand final until its C Section premiership in 1969, which would turn out to be its final premiership.[13]
In late 1990, the State Bank of Victoria was sold to the Commonwealth Bank, and the respective clubs were forced to merge as a result.[17] The merged club entered the VAFA as the State Commonwealth Bank Football Club (also stylised as State/Commonwealth Bank) for the 1991 season, officially nicknamed the "Cobras".[2][24]
The club again changed its name in 1992, returning to simply "Commonwealth Bank".[25]
Ahead of the 1994 season, the Commonwealth Bank ended its sponsorship and the club was renamed to Southbank Football Club (officially known as Southbank CBA Amateur Football Club).[1][3]
Southbank won the E South Section premiership in 1997, going undefeated for the entire season. The reserves team also won the premiership, however they suffered a single defeat in the second semi-final.[3]
Following the 1998 VAFA season, in which Southbank lost the D Section grand final, the club merged with Prahran, who subsequently returned to the playing field for the 1999 VAFA season.[27]Kew Football Club's Club XVIII side also merged with Southbank to serve as Prahran's new Club XVIII side.[28][29]
The merger followed works beginning at Southbank's home ground to build John Cain Arena, while Prahran was no longer in debt and sought to return to playing again.[3]
^"Prahran Football Club". Prahran Football Club. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024. The Club XVIII team was formerly affiliated with Kew Amateur FC.
