As 1999 arrived the footy began again after a short break in January. Talk of playing “real games” of footy against other clubs was the topic of after-training beers. With no other Footy clubs within a 600-mile radius, the Dogs organized their first ever game against an opponent other than themselves. On April 11, 1999, the Bulldogs played the Gaelic Football club Denver Gaels in the first of many “International Rules” matches. (Report in archives) The Dogs won that game in thrilling fashion, adding to the team’s confidence as it approached its inaugural footy match. The Bulldogs traveled in late-April to Santa Cruz, California to play in the ANZAC Cup, hosted by the venerable Santa Cruz ‘Roos, 1998’s national runners-up. Clad in their donated Western Bulldogs jumpers and baggy rugby-style shorts, the Denver Bulldogs took the field in their inaugural match against the Santa Cruz Kangaroos, losing valiantly, 5.3 (33) to 2.2 (14). Inaugural goalkickers were Scott Livingstone and Jim Baldwin. Mick Daly holds the honor of scoring the first ever point for Denver. The Seattle Cats, and Orange County Bombers would also attend, providing the ‘Dogs with their first taste of football at the national level. (ANZAC Report in archives). The Bulldogs went 1-2 that weekend in April, and they began setting their sights on the Kansas City tournament in June.
After only three games, Founding member Craig Jones left Denver to relocate. The fledgling club was now being built by many of the remaining originals. Jonas Stoltz was now President, and Matt Dainauski VP. Denver’s footy history was emerging.
June of 1999 was an important time in Bulldogs history. After their debut in California, the club was poised to grow and continue its drive towards national recognition. Two months of training proved enough as Denver began its yearly dominance of the KC tournament, winning all four games versus Cincinnati, St Louis, KC, and Chicago to take home its first of many tournament championships. The 1999 USAFL nationals were in October in Cincinnati; Denver arrived full of high hopes and even higher expectations. (Report in archives) A disappointing 2 wins, 2 loss weekend resulted in the Bulldogs taking fifth place in their first national tournament. Denver’s inaugural season finished with a respectable 7-4 record, and the club knew they were on the verge of taking their footy to a higher level.
Two Bulldogs, forward Matt Dainauski and defender Jim Baldwin were selected to the US national team, known as the “American Revolution”, to play against Canada in Chicago. Dainauski started at Full Forward and Baldwin in the back line. Both played key roles in the USA’s 10.15 (75) to Canada 8.10 (58) victory; Dainauski kicked two goals and Baldwin one. The tradition of Denver players representing the USA had begun, and in good fashion.
The end of the first season saw some key players leave the club. Craig Jones, only a three game veteran, relocated . His short time in Denver proved enormously critical to the existence of the Club. Mick Daly, an ‘original Dog’ moved back to Oz. Mick’s early contributions also were fundamental to the club’s success.