Newsletter April 2013

Transcription

1 Newsletter April 2013 Extracts from Members Newsletter OBITUARIES Unfortunately we have lost six of our members since our last Newsletter and our condolences are expressed to the families of the following: Past players: Les Gardiner, a great player from 1943 to 1953 who played 166 games including the 1946, 1949 and 1950 Premiership teams. Ron Jory, who played 25 games for the club in 1945 and Brian Sampson, a top player in the 1960 s who played 100 games including the 1962 and 1965 Premiership teams. Past Officials: Bruce Heymanson. Bruce was a great contributor to the club in many ways and was recognised by the club in 2012 by being appointed as the number 1 member of the club. He was also, posthumously, inducted as a Member of the Hall of Fame in Don Voss. Don was a long serving member of the Social Committee of the EFC. Tony Charlton. Tony was the doyen of sports broadcasters and was a great supporter of our Association. THE RECOGNITION OF THE PASSING OF A LEGEND It was noted that the 40 years recognition of the death of John Coleman occurred in early April. John died far too was undoubtedly one of the football and is recognised times by the EFC, behind young at the age of 43 in 1973 He best players to have played VFL/AFL as the number two footballer of all King Richard, Dick Reynolds. John only played in 98 average of an incredible 5.5 games and kicked 537 goals, an goals per game.

2 FUNCTION AT BRIDGEWATER RETIREMENT VILLAGE Recently a group of past players, in conjunction with the Premiership Club, paid a visit to the Bridgewater Lake Estate Retirement Village. This was organised by Greg Sewell. Each of the players discussed their time in football under the questioning of Terry Daniher and following the function, the residents voted it as the best function that they had attended at the centre. Past players attending: Hugh Mitchell, Greg Sewell, John Birt, Ken Fraser, Barry Capuano, Brian Beers (ex Collingwood) & Terry Daniher FLIGHT CENTRE PROGRESS The current progress on the Flight Centre can be viewed on the cubs Website EFC PREMIERSHIP DINNER The club held the annual Premiership Dinner at the MCG on Monday 25 th March. This is an excellent function as it allows the full list of current players to mix with Premiership Players and hopefully gain some knowledge from their experiences. Terry Daniher was the guest speaker for the night and in his usual form captured the audience with his natural humour,

3 but at the same time got the message across to current players that not too many opportunities arise to play in Premiership Teams. As part of the night, Life Memberships were presented to Ken Timms and Bruce Waite for being members of the Premiership Teams in 1962 and 1965 respectively, both thoroughly enjoying the night. Ken unfortunately now has problems with his eyesight and has difficulty in recognising people. There was a story on Ken Timms in the Warrnambool local paper The Standard on the 2 nd April and the following are quotes from this story: Timms enjoyed his 12 years at Essendon and has fond memories. He spent three years with the Under 19 s and nine years on the Senior list. It was a great club. We had a lot of fun. You didn t get paid much in them days, there wasn t much money in it, he said. It was different to how it is now. You fight all day and then you would go in and have a beer. You were all friendly and now they don t do anything like that. They re getting big money and it s more professional. Timms was humbled to receive Life Membership. The Life Membership is a real honour, isn t it? It is something you treasure for the rest of your life he said. I am pretty lucky-i started my career at a good club where you can go and enjoy yourself and now I am a member of the Warrnambool Bowls Club which is a great club and I will probably finish my career at a great club. It will be terrific. 20 YEAR RECOGNITION OF THE 1993 PREMIERSHIP TEAM This year our Association will recognise the 20 th Anniversary of the 1993 Premiership Team and this will be the theme for our Annual Dinner in September. As we all fondly remember, this team came from nowhere to dominate the competition in 1993 and produced some outstanding players, two of whom having been inducted as Legends into the Hall of Fame, namely James Hird and Michael Long, one as a Member of the Hall of Fame, namely Joe Misiti, two Brownlow Medalists, namely Gavin Wanganeen and James Hird, and three AFL Coaches, namely, James Hird, Mark Harvey and Mark Thompson. We will keep you informed of this recognition throughout the year.

4 DICK REYNOLDS CLUB All profits derived from DRC functions are utilised for the benefit of past players, not directly paid to our Association but utilised for such things as, presentation of Debut Jumpers, invitations to games and functions and most importantly, to top up funds in the EFC Past Players Foundation Trust. Our Association encourages all of our members to become a member of the DRC and attend the three functions held each year to help support the funds required for these purposes. By becoming a member you receive a discounted rate to attend these functions which are always of a very high standard. Tim Watson is MC for DRC functions. At this stage two functions have been formalised for this year: 23 th May Celebrating the 1993 Premiership at the Park Hyatt 29 th July Cocktail Party to celebrate current player Milestones at Crown Casino. This is one of the few opportunities to rub shoulders with current players. All enquiries regarding membership should be directed to Nicole Slattery-Coterie & Events Coordinator EFC, PO Box 17 Essendon Vic 3040, essendonfc.com.au

5 MILESTONES & ACHIEVEMENTS The following members have reached or will reach significant age milestones between 1 st January and 30 th April years of age Anthony Daniher Mark Eustice 60 years of age Peter Jackson Robert Newton 70 years of age + Greg Brown (70) Ray Horsburgh (70) Terry Rodgers (70) Des Tuddenham (70) Ken Forge (71) Robert Tobias (71) Ken Fraser (73) Ian Graham (73) Graham Leydin (73) Ian Shelton (73) Brian Crowe (74) Don McKenzie (74) Barry Mackie (75) John Welsh (75) John Birt (76) Don Carmichael (76) Rob Gluyas (76) Kevin Harwood (76) Jim Carter (77) Ron Hooper (77) James Matthews (77) 70 years of age + Eric Webster (77) Barry Colliver (78) Kevin Green (78) Colin Stubbs (79) 80 years of age + Mal Pascoe (80) Ron Smith (80) Hugh Morris (81) Brian Paine (81) 80 years of age + Fred Gallagher (82) Jack Simpson (84) Tom Leehane (85) Lloyd Middleton (85) Bill Stephens (85) John Ward (85) George Goninon (86) Fred Payne (86) Ivan Goodingham (87) 90 years of age + Jack Feain (95) Henry McEwan (95)

6 Jack Feain is our oldest living member being born on the 12 th March 1918 and Henry McEwan just follows him, being born on the 18 th April FACTS FIGURES & OTHER TRIVIA Some interesting stats on past players of our club: Until the end of the 2012, 1,104 players have represented the club at senior level since Of the above number 32 are still playing, therefore 1,072 are past players. The 1,072 players played 43,508 at an average of 40.6 per player. The average length of a player s career is 3.59 years. 380 (35.44%) played for one season only. The first player to reach 100 games was Edward Kinnear in 1903, finishing with 105 games. 142 players (13.25%) players have played 100 or more games. The first player to reach 200 games was Dick Reynolds in 1945 and he was also the first player to reach 300 in 1950, finishing with 320. Dick also played for 19 years. 21 players (1.96%) have played 200 or more games. Simon Madden holds the record number of games played at 378, but Dustin Fletcher is looking very ominous. The following table shows stats on all games played by past players: Games Number of % of Played players Total Less than

7 Bill Hutchison has scored the most number of Brownlow votes by an Essendon player at 172 over 16 seasons equating to per season. He also is the leading player to play in finals games on 28 occasions Dick Reynolds Captained/Coached the team to four Premiership wins in 1942, 1946, 1949 & Both Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchison won 7 Best & Fairest Awards. club In June 1899, Albert Thurgood had a Place kick recorded at practice of 98.48m (107yards, 2ft 1inch). He also had another Place kick measured at practice at 92.35m and one recorded in a match against Carlton in 1893 (VFA days) at 95.71m (104yards, 2ft). He also had a Drop kick officially measured at practice at 82.3m (90yards) CONGRATULATIONS Our congratulations are extended to Steve Alessio on his appointment as Football Manager for the EFC. Judging by his performance as the Manager-Alumni& Corporate Programs for the AFLPA, we are sure that he will do a great job for the club. ESSENDON GREATS WORKS OF ART We are currently updating our Website and shortly will have a comprehensive section in our Merchandise area covering all aspects of the Essendon Greats Works of Art, including Limited Edition copies of each painting, cushions, wall plaques and jumpers of selected

8 players. These will make great presents for Essendon followers. We will also have available some specific past player items, including, stubbie holders, polo-shirts and caps, so keep your eye on the Website over the next month. As part of the upgrade we are introducing a Paypal system, which will enable payment in this format. WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Name: Robert Amos Years played: , Games played: 54 Goals kicked: 15 Number worn: 11 Recruited from: Horsham Now lives in Balmoral Queensland What did you do, football wise, following your playing days with Essendon? I was traded to Footscray where I unfortunately suffered another major knee injury requiring a second reconstruction. After a lengthy rehabilitation I was no longer required and decided to retire, however I was persuaded by some mates to play the second half for my home town Horsham in the Wimmera League. This worked out well and we went on to win the flag that year. After that I moved to Brisbane and coached Windsor Zillmere with Barry Grinter. I was still playing but my knee was no good and I retired at the end of the season and focused on coaching juniors. I coached the Queensland state Under 16 team to 2 National titles then worked as fitness co-ordinator for the Brisbane Bears under Peter Knights. After a 4 year stint I moved to Canada for a year and upon return was appointed Head coach of the Southeastern Bushranger (Qld State Under 18 comp) where I was fortunate enough to spend 13 years winning numerous titles. I was also an assistant for many Teal cup, State U18 and State Open teams. What job/jobs did you pursue following your playing days, including what you are doing currently? I have been a Physical Education teacher in Brisbane and am currently the coordinator of the Tennis Excellence program at Kelvin Grove College. My wife and I travel a bit and I try to get on the water for a fish as often as possible. Have you suffered with any post football injuries and have any required surgery? I have been pretty lucky since finishing footy and my knees are holding up quite well. Do you have any ongoing medical problems? No major medical problems. What are your thoughts on the modern game, and how would you change any of the areas that you don t like! I don t mind the modern game and have appreciated the way the game is subtly changing. I think it would be improved if we restricted the inter change to about 10 per quarter. Do you have any special anecdotes from your playing time to pass onto other past players?

9 I have lots of great memories of my days at the Bombers and fondly remember the support I received as a 16 year old from the bush, from the likes of the late Jack (Ankle) Jones, John Kilby, Alec Epis, John Deeds, Hughy Mitchell, Wayne Headlam and Alan McGillivray to mention a few. I do remember the formation of the Players Association under Geoff Pryor, my initiation to league footy via a swig of whisky at three quarter time from Swampy Syme, my education off the field from the likes of Neville Fields, Johnny Cassin and Teddy Lake. Marvelling at Des Tuddenham s fire brand approach to the game, including my participation in the infamous crawl around Windy Hill. My introduction to Speedball (which I still use) via Jimmy Bradley. Watching Ronnie Andrews and Stewie Gull sparring on the field, and enjoying the great footy trips we went on. Who were your mates in your playing days with Essendon, do you keep in touch? My closest mate at the club was probably Garry Foulds as we started at about the same time, but remember some good times with the likes of Kenny Mansfield, John Cassin, Graeme Middleton, Nev Fields, Bill Berry, Alan Reid and Ray smith. I catch up with Fouldsy every so often and have run into past players up here in Brisbane. Who were the players you most admired in your playing days at Essendon? For Essendon: Alan Noonan, Graeme Moss & Andy Wilson. Other teams: Malcolm Blight, Alex Jesaulenko, Rob Flower, Keith Greig & Leigh Matthews. Do you have any comments that you would like to pass on about your time at Essendon? I had a great time at Essendon which was only marred by injury and the only regret is that I didn t get a chance to be there longer. HONOURING THE 90 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1923 PREMIERSHIP This team was known as the Mosquito Fleet, as included in the team was Charlie Hardy at five feet one and a half inches (156cms), Rowley Watt at five feet three inches (160cms), George Shorten and Jack Garden at 5 feet five inches (165cms), Jim Sullivan, Vince Irwin and Frank Maher at five feet six inches (167.5cms). Tom Fitzmaurice was the tallest player in the team at six feet two and a half inches (189.5cms). Although the team finished on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away series, they were defeated by South Melbourne in the Second Semi Final. As the finals were run a little differently at that time, Essendon were able to challenge the winner of the Preliminary Final, Fitzroy, as they had finished on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season. The Grand Final was delayed a week as the MCG was under water on the day of the scheduled Grand Final but Essendon won the game the next week, kicking 8.15 (63) to Fitzroy s 6.10 (70) in front of 46,566 football fans.

10 The Premiership Team was as follows: B. Vince Irwin Fred Baring Clyde Donaldson H.B. Jack Harrison Tom Fitzmaurice Roy Laing C. Jack Garden Charlie May Rowley Watt H.F Tom Jenkins Justin McCarthy George Shorten F. Sid Barker Greg Stockdale Charlie Hardy R. Norm Beckton George Rawle Frank Maher Best players on the day were, G. Shorten, J. McCarthy, T. Fitzmaurice, F. Maher, J. Garden, C. May, R. Watt & C. Hardy