Newsletter December 2013

Transcription

1 Extracts from the EFCPP&OA Newsletter December 2013 Unveiling of John Coleman Statue On Wednesday 18 th September a group of past players were invited to attend the unveiling of the John Coleman Statue at the MCG. At a function prior to the unveiling Greg Brown spoke on behalf of the past players attending. The statue is a fantastic recognition of the brilliance of John during his playing days and is a must visit when attending the MCG. (Photo's courtesy of Ray Hutchison).

2 Essendon Greats Works of Art During 2012 we commissioned Joe Zappulla to produce paintings of 35 Essendon past players and to this time we have sold 11 of these paintings. We have further expanded on these paintings to include the following: Limited Edition Copies of each painting, Jumpers, Cushions, Wall Plaques and Cups, and very shortly all of these will be available for purchase via our Website and would make great Christmas presents for those who follow the club. Please contact Barry Capuano via the Contact Tab if you would like any further information.

3 Merv Neagle Tribute Function organized by the Dick Reynolds Club The DRC held a function on Thursday 22 nd August to raise funds for the family of Merv who was tragically killed in a truck accident in late The night was a great success and was attended by some 680 people, including many of the players from his era at both Essendon and Sydney Swans and many past players from other league clubs. Tim Watson did an excellent job as MC for the night. Dermott Brereton, Robert Dipierdomenico and Col Kinnear gave some great insights into Merv s career, and many hilarious stories were told by panels of players from Essendon and the Sydney Swans. The night raised in excess of $110,000 for the family and will be utilized to help them establish their own home. Donna Neagle expressed her gratitude to the DRC for organizing such a spectacular function. Kevin Sheedy spoke on the night and indicated that $100 from each sale of 250 footballs he was selling, in conjunction with the Ilhan Food Alergy Foundation, depicting his Premiership Coaching wins would be paid into the Merv Neagle Memorial Trust which has been set up to handle and administer the money raised from this special event. The No.1 Member puts on a turn During November, Ron Kirwan, the number 1 Ticket Holder for the club and one of our most generous members, put on a function at his magnificent home in Strathmore for many past players, officials, football support staff and Essendonians from the highly successful 1980 s. It was a great afternoon and a fine spread and many drinks were supplied by Ron and his wife Sylvia, which was greatly appreciated by all attending. Many stories were told during the afternoon, they get better every year! Ron Kirwan & Kevin Sheedy Rob Shaw, Allan Stoneham, Tim Watson & Paul Vander Haar (Photos courtesy of David Collins)

4 AN ARTICLE APPEARING IN THE HERALD SUN IN APRIL AND REPRODUCED COURTESY OF JON ANDERSON This is a great article and Ian should be commended for bringing his concerns out into the public arena. Every one of us has an interesting story to tell and we would love to receive stories from our members to be able to share with other members.

5 Where are they now? Name: Col Hebbard Years played: Games Played: 85 Number Worn: 4 Recruited From: Mt. Hawthorn Perth Following Essendon: Col returned to West Perth and represented WA in 1962 & 1966 Col now lives in Perth What did you do, football wise, following your playing days with Essendon? Returned to Perth and played with West Perth in WAFL (Ron Evans, Neil Evans and Brian Sampson also came over to Perth and played with West Perth). Represented WA 6 times. Recruited for club in WA for Kevin Sheedy over 27 years. What job/jobs did you pursue following your playing days, including what you are doing currently? Completed Accounting Degree and later MBA. Worked for some 30 years in stock broking profession. Are you still working? No Have you suffered with any post football injuries and have any required surgery? Have had both hips and knees fully replaced over past 10 years. Do you have any ongoing medical problems? Osteo throughout-take daily medicine which helps. What are your thoughts on the modern game, and how would you change any of the areas that you don t like! Kicking back across backline needs to be looked at, this detracts from the flow of the game. Rule of Holding the ball by umpires is ridiculous. Do you have any special anecdotes from your playing time to pass onto other past players? Those end of year trips were something! (Surfers Paradise, Hayman Island, etc). Who were your mates in your playing days with Essendon, do you keep in touch? Alec Epis (always try to catch up if possible) & Reg Burgess. Attend Life Members Dinner and great to see Bluey Shelton, John Birt, Cappy, Greg Sewell, Paul Doran, Barry Davis, Ted Fordham, Hugh Mitchell, Frizzer Fraser, Russ Blew, Don gross, David Shaw and many others. (great to see Ron Kirwan as our No. 1 Member ). Who were the players you most admired in your playing days at Essendon? For Essendon: Jack Clarke, Bill Hutchison, Geoff Leek, Ken Fraser & Reg Burgess Other teams: Kevin Rose, Kevin Murray, Eric Guy, John James & Ron Barassi Do you have any comments that you would like to pass on about your time at Essendon? Enjoyed my time at Essendon FC, the association has been life-long (57 years). We all look forward to the Annual Past players function at GF time-great to catch up with all old friends and mates. The club does a great job in looking after its past players. Pity I don t live closer and can attend every year.

6 Name: Bob Greenwood Years Played: Games Played: 62 Number Worn: 8 Recruited From: Pascoe Vale Following Essendon:Played with Claremont in WA and represented the State in the 1972 Carnival. Bob now lives in Queensland. What did you do, football wise, following your playing days with Essendon? I played 3 years in Perth with Claremont and represented WA in the 1972 Perth Carnival. One year playing Coach Kedron in Qld. 4 years at Griffith NSW Riverina League Playing and non-playing Coach. What job/jobs did you pursue following your playing days, including what you are doing currently? I am an electrical contractor on the Gold Coast and also worked in industrial projects up here. Are you still working? Yes Have you suffered with any post football injuries and have any required surgery? Not as yet but finding work is very hard as my knee gives me bother and the people I work for have gone broke, leaving me in excess of $20,000 out of pocket. What are your thoughts on the modern game, and how would you change any of the areas that you don t like! Players who sweat on the player who goes and gets the hard ball with no reward Do you have any special anecdotes from your playing time to pass onto other past players? I had 5 years at the club and can t speak highly enough of the back-up side of being an ex- player and when in Melbourne look forward to seeing ex-players. Who were your mates in your playing days with Essendon, do you keep in touch? Ian Payne, Charlie Payne, Alan Noonan- until he passed away, Neil Evans when he comes up here. Who were the players you most admired in your playing days at Essendon? For Essendon: Barry Davis, Ken Fraser, Alec Epis, Don Gross, Geoff Pryor, David Shaw, Don McKenzie & Kevin Egan Other teams: Bob Skilton, Peter Bedford, Royce Hart, Peter Hudson, Peter Crimmins, Polly Farmer, Dennis Marshall, Ian Stewart and Darryl Baldock Do you have any comments that you would like to pass on about your time at Essendon? Just to say thanks for all the good times and friends I made while at the club. And to get down a bit more often. And to all the people at the Essendonians and Ron Kirwan s friendship. Name: Geoff Gosper Years Played: Games Played: 168 Numbers Worn: 49 & 6 Recruited From: Strathmore Geoff was a member of the 1962 & 1965 Premiership Teams Geoff now lives at Tweed Heads

7 What did you do, football wise, following your playing days with Essendon? Played with Waverley (VFA) for 2 years, then Captain/Coach with Oakleigh Districts in Federal League. After that went to Box Hill in VFA under Les Foote, then to non-playing Coach Waverley. Finished with Super Rules and was Captain/Coach of 2 Carnival Teams. What job/jobs did you pursue following your playing days, including what you are doing currently? After 32 years with the Gas & Fuel ran a motel in Finley NSW. Then as a bus driver with Grendas Group until the age of 70. Are you still working? No Have you suffered with any post football injuries and have any required surgery? I have just had my second hip replacement. Do you have any ongoing medical problems? No What are your thoughts on the modern game, and how would you change any of the areas that you don t like! I do not like watching the way that they let the opposition get so many easy possessions on their own. Who were your mates in your playing days with Essendon, do you keep in touch? All of my playing mates, but I don t keep in touch much due to living in Tweed Heads. Who were the players you most admired in your playing days at Essendon? For Essendon: Jack Clarke & Ken Fraser Other teams: Bob Skilton, Laurie Dwyer & Polly Farmer Do you have any comments that you would like to pass on about your time at Essendon? Great club and have made my time enjoyable whether as a player or past player ever though I did want a clearance to Fitzroy I am glad Essendon knocked back my application. I have now moved to Tweed Heads to live and am enjoying the lifestyle but it is difficult to attend matches and functions. Obituaries We regret to advise that Jim McColl passed away in October and Hugh Morris passed away in November and our condolences have been passed onto their families. We also advise of the passing of Jeanne Reynolds, the wife of the late great Dick Reynolds, during September at the grand old age of 96. Congratulations We congratulate Mark Bomber Thompson on his appointment as Senior Coach for 2014 and wish him all the very best in this role. His experience and great results achieved with Geelong should see the club in very capable hands.

8 Congratulations are also extended to David Hille and Nathan Lovett-Murray following their retirement as players for the club. David completed 14 great years with the club and Nathan 10 excellent years with the club. We look forward to them both being members of our Association. Facts, Figures & Other Trivia In 1875, Essendon changed the design of their jersey. The early colours had been red and black stripes but now the club adopted the black jersey with a red sash coming over the left shoulder and red and black hose. It would appear that not all players were aware of left and right as the fellow second from the left in the second front row has his sash running from the right shoulder. This photo is a shot of the 1893 VFA Premiership team. In 1930 the new Coulter Law was introduced, players were paid three pounds per week and twelve pounds per week for finals. As this was during the depression period, this became the major income for many players. Also in 1930, the nineteenth man was introduced for the first time. In 1963, Essendon were sitting in fourth place approaching the last game and beat Collingwood in the last game at Essendon by twenty six points and therefore anticipated playing in the finals the next week. However St Kilda defeated North Melbourne by eighty six points and replaced Essendon in the final four by 2.6 per cent. There was some conjecture at the time that North Melbourne did not put much effort into the game. The 1970 s was not a very successful era for the club, only appearing in the finals on three occasions, being defeated in Elimination Finals in 1972, 1973 and against St Kilda in round 22 of that year. In 1990, the club created a unique situation when all of the Daniher s, namely Terry, Neale, Anthony and Chris all played together in the same team, winning

9 Milestones & Achievements The following members will achieve or have achieved the following age milestones between 1 st September to 31 st December 2013: 60 years of age Ross Higgins 70 years of age + Barry Davis (70) Kevin Egan (70) Noel Raitt (70) Garry Fenton (71) Alf King (72) George Spero (72) Barry Capuano (73) Barry Matthews (73) Max Byers (74) Paul Doran (74) George Moloney (74) Don Nicolson (74) David Shaw (75) Geoff Barber (76) Trevor Elliott (76) Les Pridham (76) Col Hebbard (77) Rob Dunlop (78) Hugh Mitchell (79) 80 years of age + John Towner (80) Robert Fox (82) Max Nixon (82) Ken Reed (82) Brian Gilmore (84) Keith McIntosh (85) Noel Allanson (88) Jack Jones (89) Gordon Yea (89) A great achievement Paul and Pat Doran celebrated their 50 th Wedding Anniversary in November.

10 A Message from the President It would be remiss of me not to comment on the issues that the club faced during As a past player and official of the club I am sure that I would be speaking on behalf of most past players and officials when I say that the player supplements issue came as a complete shock to us all. Following the initial shock that our great club could be caught up in such a matter, many other adjectives jumped into mind, including, disgust, unbelievable, sad and angry, that such a thing could happen. It is incomprehensible to me how such a situation could possibly have occurred, but unfortunately it would appear that certain individuals were allowed to control this program without a proper and appropriate management reporting system in place. Unfortunately the outcome for the culture and standing of the club has been severely tarnished by this whole saga, and we as past players and officials who have contributed substantially to this culture and standing, should feel somewhat hurt and disturbed by this whole matter. I am sure that the club has now addressed the areas that allowed this whole scenario to happen and to ensure that this type of issue cannot happen again in the future. The current players, who have been seriously maligned by this issue, performed extremely well given the circumstances and they will be the ones, together with the coaches, that will be able to help turn around this whole sorry saga, by performing well in future seasons and we wish them well in this regard. The penalties imposed on the club could be considered as somewhat harsh, however it is hard to be sympathetic as the lack of appropriate governance and individual responsibility has brought about the imposition of these penalties by the AFL. Hopefully this saga is now behind the club and we can now look forward to assisting in the rebuilding of the clubs culture and standing back to the level that it should be. Our association will continue to support the club in any way that we can, and will act positively in helping the club to achieve these aims. Barry Capuano-President A Timely Visit John Towner, who played 87 games for the club from 1953 to 1959, was recently visited by Greg Sewell and Kevin Parks, following a nasty stroke in October. John is now showing great progress, however at the moment is unable to speak. We pass our best wishes onto John who turned 80 years of age on the 19 th November.

11 Official Opening of EFC New Headquarters On Monday 18 th November former player Hugh Delahunty, who is the state Minister for Sport & Recreation and Veterans Affairs, together with club President/Chairman Paul Little, officially opened the new training and administration facilities at Melbourne Airport. The facility will be known as the True Value Solar Centre. The new facility is something very special and former players would be amazed and envious at the amenities available for the current players, including: 2 training ovals, one the size of the MCG and one the size of Etihad Stadium. An indoor facility, 80m x 40m, covered with synthetic grass to enable special drills and skills training. A swimming pool, a huge gymnasium, a 1km running track around the facility, and exceptional change rooms.

12 Excerpt from article in the Essendon Historical Society Newsletter Issue No 222 written by Harold Lambert In 1936, the Essendon Sons of Soldiers Football Team (SOS) was formed by the Essendon RSL. Every player in the team had to be a son of a returned soldier and under the age of 16. The team played in the Essendon District Junior Football League. Its home ground was the one now used by the Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club at The Boulevard in Moonee Ponds. They had an open tin shed as their change rooms that had no tap water or sewage facilities. Visiting teams came in furniture vans and used them as dressing sheds. Everybody had to go home to have a shower. Jack Jones, Noel Allanson & Harold Lambert at a 1940 s celebration function in In 1936 the team won the premiership. Four players from that team went on to play with the Essendon F.C. - Harold and Chris Lambert, Milton Clark & Murray Dimble. In 1937 the SOS changed their name to the Essendon Imperials and became an under 17 team. In those days everyone had to walk, ride a bike or use public transport to get to the grounds as very few people had cars. Today Harold Lambert, in his 92 nd year, is an Essendon Legend, a triple premiership player (1946, 1949 & 1950) as well as a member of the EFC Team of the Century We wish all of our Members and readers a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.