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Born at Thorndale in August 1902, Dorrie Barton spent most of her young life in theatre productions and musical operettas but she had a weekend passion for soccer and she became a staunch supporter of the Stanthorpe Soccer Association. She would help in any way she could and when the need arose in 1927 for a Secretary of the newly formed soccer competition, Dorrie jumped at the challenge.  She was instrumental in ensuring that soccer got off to a smooth start. Sadly, Dorrie Barton contracted a terminal illness and in 1931, in her29^th year, she passed away.

One of the district’s dignitaries of the day, Mr Samuel Fisk, a leading light in the theatre and operetta circles donated the Dorrie Barton Memorial Trophy to be awarded each season as the major grand final award.  To this veryday, the endeavours of this wonderful pioneer and supporter of soccer in Stanthorpe, is rewarded by the annual presentation of the Dorrie BartonMemorial Trophy.

Football in Stanthorpe all began when a small group the Leeside Wanderers formed at a meeting held on 3 June 1926 at “Leeside”, The Summit property of Mr A E Rogers.  A strip of red and black sweater with white pants was chosen and funds required were obtained from the raffle of a ten shilling note as first prize and a pig as second prize.  Tickets were sixpence each.  It was decided that the Leeside Wanderers hold a meeting each week and members were invited to join for 2 shillings and 6 pence.

The first game was played on ‘the flat’ at “Leeside” against a group from Amiens.  Another group calling themselves the Stanthorpe Ramblers formed to test their skills against the Leeside Wanderers.  These were the only local games played that year and the highlight of the year was on 14 August 1926 when an inter-town match between Warwick and a representative Wanderers, Amiens, Ramblers team was held.  The local combined side won the game 4-3.  The ladies provided refreshments, a dance was held after the game and Mr Tom Weller gave a lecture on the game of soccer.

Such was the success of this game that competition soccer would be viable and fixtures commenced in 1927 with the first teams being The Summit, Stanthorpe, The Amiens Settlers, Glen Aplin and The Rainbows. From these humble beginnings the game of football (soccer) thrives in the district to this very day.

Currently the Football competitionin Stanthorpe boasts a junior competition a senior competition with three divisions and an over 35s competition which is supported by six clubs. International FC, Ballandean FC, Stanthorpe Carlton United FC, Stanthorpe City FC, Stanthorpe United FC, and Tenterfield FC. The senior competition has a Colts under 16 comp, and an open ladies and men’s competition. Football Stanthorpe comp generally commences with a pre-season competition in March and continues in April with the premier competition and concludes in August September with the Grand Final series and clubs playing to win the Dorrie Barton Memorial Trophy. During the off season an over 35s comp continues and attracts players in their 60s and beyond, such is the passion inherent in this small community.

It is a credit to all involved in Football both currently and in previous years to continue such a tradition insuch a small community. Given the early vision by a small group, the European influence of the past, and the swing to the game during the recent world cup success, the game has been able to prosper resulting in over 5% of the population on the Granite Belt still actively participating in the world sport.

The annual Grand Final ChampionsTrophy contested by A Grade teams competing in the Football Stanthorpe competition is named in honour of Miss Dorrie Barton.