BLACKBURN
Current Affiliation: Eastern (Districts) Football League (E(D)FL) since 1962
Home Ground: Morton Park
Formed: 1903
Colours: Black and red
Emblem: Panthers (formerly Robins)
Senior Premierships: Box Hill Reporter District Football League (BHRDFL) - 1910, 1922 (2 total); Ringwood District Football League (RDFL) - 1930, 1933, 1935 (3 total); Eastern Suburbs Football League (ESFL) B Grade - 1941, 1950, 1952 (3 total); ESFL C Grade - 1959 (1 total); EDFL 2nd Division - 1977, 1980, 2002 (3 total)
Senior E(D)FL Best and Fairest Player Awards: Sir Gilbert Chandler Medal - John Smith 1976; Darryn Watts 1978 (2 total); Kenneth Wright Medal - Scott Chamberlain 1990 (1 total)
Although a team known as Blackburn appears to have been in existence as early as the 1890s, it was not until 1903, when its inaugural AGM was held, that a club of that name was formally established. The club's official colours have always been black and red, although the design of the jumper has frequently been altered.
Blackburn claimed its first premiership in 1910, and its second in 1922. Both flags were won in the Box Hill Reporter District Football League. Following its 1922 success the side finished as runner-up in each of the next three seasons, but it was not until 1930, by which time it had transferred to the Ringwood District Football League, that another flag was gained. The 1930s would prove to be a highly successful decade, with further premierships coming Blackburn's way in 1933 and 1935. On crossing to the higher standard Eastern Suburbs Football League in 1941 Blackburn enjoyed immediate success by winning that year's B Grade flag. Further B Grade successes followed after the war in 1950 and 1952, while in 1956 the club procured the ESFL Lightning premiership. A C Grade flag was added in 1959.
Following admission to the Eastern Districts Football League in 1962 the Robins, as the club was nicknamed in those days, were quick to assert themselves. However, despite frequently featuring in the September action, a senior premiership proved elusive. The side reached its first grand final, in 1st division, in 1968, but lost to East Burwood. It followed this up with another grand final appearance in 1969 only to suffer the ultimate heartache of defeat by the narrowest of margins against Vermont. The 1969 season also saw a change of image for the club as the Robins emblem was replaced with that of the Panthers.
Blackburn's third 1st division grand final appearance came in 1975, against Mitcham, but this too was narrowly lost. In 1976 the Robins plummeted to the opposite end of the ladder, and were relegated, only to bounce back at the first time of asking thanks to a 23.14 (152) to 18.9 (117) win over Mulgrave in the 2nd division grand final.
Since 1977 Blackburn has twice more experienced success on that "one day in September", both times in B Grade. In 1980 the premiership was achieved at the expense of Bayswater, and in 2002 against Knox. The 2002 season was especially memorable in that the reserves also finished as premiers.
In 2007 the Panthers won 9 and drew 1 of their 18 home and away matches to finish in 6th place on the 12 team 1st division ladder.
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