USQ Football Club is based at the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia, the club offers football opportunities for lovers of the game. In 1977 a group of students and lecturers from the then Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (DDIAE) got together and formed the DDIAE Amateur Soccer Club. They originally competed in the intramural "Piggots Shield", an on campus competition open to any interested student groups.

In 1978, the club formally joined the Toowoomba and District Soccer Federation, with their first competitive match being against Rockville, possibly in third grade, which the students won. Originally they hosted games in the vacant area behind the Toowoomba Education Centre, just to the East of McGregor College, but at some time in the next couple of years, the club moved to share the cricket and Aussie rules oval next to Steel Rudd College. Unfortunately, details for this time period are scarce.

In 1984, DDIAE lecturer Jim Taylor assumed coaching responsibilities for the men's first division, and started one of the golden eras for the club. In that season, the first grade managed a creditable 3rd place finish, but it was the reserves that had the most memorable year. Undefeated through the regular season they progressed straight through to the grand final. Despite being 3-0 up after only fifteen minutes, they managed to somehow lose 5-4.

1985 was arguably the most successful year the club has ever had. At the end of the regular season, both first and reserve grade men's teams were minor premiers, while the ladies finished fourth. Both men's teams reached their respective Grand Finals. The reserves made amends for the previous year, and all focus switched to the top side. In first grade, Wanderers were competing to win their 13th grand final in a row, but DDIAE stepped up to claim the title, and complete the double double (First and Reserve grade minor and major premiers) for the only time in the clubs history.

1986 and first grade were at it again. They defended their minor premiership, and drew with Wanderers in the Grand Final. In the last ever Grand Final replay, DDIAE scored in the dying stages to again claim the title. Unfortunately, in 1987 Jim Taylor switched to coach St Albans who were then playing in Brisbane 3rd grade, and took a number of our best players with him. That, combined with the natural turnover of students, left the club short of quality and experience. First grade still managed a creditable 3rd place, but missed the finals the next year. It would be 6 years before they reached the finals again. Reserves won the 1988 grand final, though it would be another 10 years till they played on the last day of the season again. For one season, possibly 1989, Garden City played a colts team under the DDIAE banner, and despite a massive points deduction for using an ineligible player for most of the season, reached the Grand Final and won. Unfortunately, all but one of that team moved on the following year, and the relationship between the clubs ended.

The ladies proved to be the shining light of the club for the next few seasons, reaching the finals every year, and a couple of grand finals, and lifted the trophy for the one and only time in the early 90's. 1990 and 91 were dark years for the men with first grade winning only 3 games in those 2 seasons, and reserves doing not much better. The spirit of the club never wavered though, typified on one occasion when a total of 19 players played 9 games in a 15 day student holiday period, so that the club would not forfeit any fixtures. 1990 also brought about a change of names with the DDIAE becoming the University College of Southern Queensland, and then in 1992 we finally became The University of Southern Queensland. About that time, we also moved to our current Baker St home. The change in name and location were reflected with positive on-field changes as well. With the same core of players for several seasons, and a couple of new quality players, the men started to become more competitive. In fact our rise in fortunes can be pinpointed to one game.