Formed: 1889; in recess 1941; reformed 1947

Colours: Gold and black

Emblem: Tigers

Senior Grade Premierships: Gawler and Districts Football Association (GFA) - 1890, 1892, 1893, 1895, 1898, 1900, 1904-5, 1914, 1919, 1936, 1953, 1983 (13 total); BLGFL - 1991, 2001 (2 total)

Mail Medallists: Arthur Dawkins 1935; Arthur Cooper 1939; Jim Martin 1951 & 1952; Len Nelson 1953; Alf Skuse 1972 (5 Medallists/6 Medals)

Gawler Central has endured something of a topsy-turvy existence, incorporating demotion to B Grade on a couple of occasions, a six-year period of recess, but also considerable premiership success. The club was formed in 1889, and entered the Gawler football Association the same year. It managed to claim a premiership in only its second season, and by the end of the 1890s had added another four, including one that was won jointly with Gawler South. During these early years, premierships were decided on the basis of teams ladder positions after the home and away matches and Gawler Central did not contest its first grand final until 1905. Opposed by Gawler South, Centrals won a hard fought encounter by 14 points, 10.6 (66) to 7.10 (52). A year later the same two sides confronted one another on grand final day but the result was reversed, Centrals kicking themselves out of contention in losing by a goal, 3.13 (31) to 5.7 (37).

Between the wars Gawler Central was a frequent grand finalist, but only twice, in 1919 and 1936 was its successful in claiming the flag. This period also included a two season stint in B grade.

After the second world war the clubs penchant for unsuccessful grand final appearances continued. Between 1950 and the Gawler and Districts Football Association’s final season in 1986 the Tigers played off for the senior grade premiership eleven times, but only in 1953 against Gawler South, and 1983 against Willaston were they successful.

Since 1987 Gawler Central has competed in the Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association. To date the club has contested two senior grade grand finals and won them both. In 1991 the Tigers overcame Tanunda by 25 points, 14.15 (99) to 10.14 (74), while ten years later they accounted for the grand final challenge of Kapunda by a 15 point margin, 12.16 (88) to 10.13 (73).

The 2008 season saw the Tigers getting as far as the preliminary final only to lose heavily to Barossa District.

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