Original Move of the Sturt FC to Adelaide Oval

[Sojourner]

Looking for some of the history on the original move of the Sturt FC away from Unley Oval to Adelaide, does anyone have the year they went to Adleaide and the year they returned to Unley?

What was the then reasoning behind the move to Adelaide Oval by the club? Was it successful initially?

My memories of the earlier games at Unley were long walks to get a park and to get to the ground, massive crowds and a very strong suburban atmosphere. Much of it lost with the move to Adelaide and paid carparking in the parklands and so on. I recall there was a strong groundswell of support amongst Sturt members to get Sturt back to Adelaide and after they got mobilised it was able to be worked out with the council with the temporary fencing and so on leading back to today.

I also recall an incident where a local resident deliberatley walked out onto the ground with his dog during a game which may have been a juniors game? The umpires blew the whistle and held the game up until he crossed over the ground to make his point. I think this then led to a bylaw banning people from the ground whilst organised sport was underway irresepective if a temporary fence was up or not?

Any recollections you have on the move and the move back would be much appreciated!

[story of my life]

Looking for some of the history on the original move of the Sturt FC away from Unley Oval to Adelaide, does anyone have the year they went to Adleaide and the year they returned to Unley?

What was the then reasoning behind the move to Adelaide Oval by the club? Was it successful initially?

My memories of the earlier games at Unley were long walks to get a park and to get to the ground, massive crowds and a very strong suburban atmosphere. Much of it lost with the move to Adelaide and paid carparking in the parklands and so on. I recall there was a strong groundswell of support amongst Sturt members to get Sturt back to Adelaide and after they got mobilised it was able to be worked out with the council with the temporary fencing and so on leading back to today.

I also recall an incident where a local resident deliberatley walked out onto the ground with his dog during a game which may have been a juniors game? The umpires blew the whistle and held the game up until he crossed over the ground to make his point. I think this then led to a bylaw banning people from the ground whilst organised sport was underway irresepective if a temporary fence was up or not?

Any recollections you have on the move and the move back would be much appreciated!

I worked with a bloke about 15 years ago who reckoned his grandfather did this. It was a protest but he could hardly speak a word of english, so everyone at the game thought the poor old fella was a bit lost and confused, rather than protesting. Think it was and U17 game. Apparently he did it a few times at senior training also

[Bluedemon]

the move happened in about the mid 80's, i think it was to do with the SANFL back then looking at ground rationlisation. i remember us going back to Unley in 1997 i reckon with the first game back being against South on a wet day, i got my photo in the local Messenger.

[Pseudo]

the move happened in about the mid 80's,

Would've been 1986. I remember Sturt beating Glenelg in the final round of 1985. The game was touted as "the last at Unley Oval".

[on the rails]

North and at least 1 other club (can't remember who from memory) were also looking at using AO under the same scheme - Ground Rationalisation. Thank god we didn't with the advent of the Crows etc. we would have had Prospect Oval most likely ending up looking like Unley Oval which the Prospect Council and some residents would still like to a large degree but that has been resisted to date given how much north actually funds re PO!

The NAFC Board in recent years also flirted with the idea of playing there again but alot of protests from the members plus the catering / gate split etc. not being favourable the idea was canned. Thank god again with the soon to be "over used AO" for AFL, where would that have left clubs like Sturt and North had they chosen to stay or relocate to AO in each situation?

[FlyingHigh]

Always thought it was due to the ground rationalistion idea too. Torrens went to Footy Park in 90, Bays 91-92 and Eagles 91-92 as well, but by 92-93 the idea had changed to reconnect with the local area, due of course, to the impact of the AFL.
Did Sturt only look at returning to Unley or did they entertain any other ideas in the late 90's?
Kind of remember a push for Woodville to play their home games at Footy Park in 89 or 90 too, and this may have been going to happen if we didn't merge?

[Pseudo]

Always thought it was due to the ground rationalistion idea too. Torrens went to Footy Park in 90, Bays 91-92 and Eagles 91-92 as well,

Bays for the 91 season only, and that was largely due to a stand-off with the Glenelg council about the tenancy of Glenelg Oval. Was never supposed to be long-term and thus had little to do with ground rationalisation.

I suspect that West Torrens moving to Football Park was more due to the club's financial state than rationalisation. Happy to be told I'm wrong. While there was certainly a push towards ground rationalisation in the late '80s - early '90s, I think that moving to Football Park itself was discouraged - I have a vague memory that Port expressed interest in playing home games there but was this was knocked back by the SANFL.

[Spargo]

the move happened in about the mid 80's,

Would've been 1986. I remember Sturt beating Glenelg in the final round of 1985. The game was touted as "the last at Unley Oval".

Correct, sturt beat us easily that day.
Port also played home matches at Adelaide Oval in the 70's for a season I reckon.

[dedja]

mid 70's for Port ... at least '76 from memory

[Bluedemon]

Always thought it was due to the ground rationalistion idea too. Torrens went to Footy Park in 90, Bays 91-92 and Eagles 91-92 as well, but by 92-93 the idea had changed to reconnect with the local area, due of course, to the impact of the AFL.
Did Sturt only look at returning to Unley or did they entertain any other ideas in the late 90's?
Kind of remember a push for Woodville to play their home games at Footy Park in 89 or 90 too, and this may have been going to happen if we didn't merge?

From Sturtfc.com.au

1997 - The work of the previous two seasons brought results as the Sturt Football Club finally lifted itself of bottom place to make the finals for the first time since 1988. Sturt finished the minor round in fourth position and only one premiership point away from second position, however inexperience cost Sturt in the Elimination Final as they lost to North Adelaide. Sturt rover Brodie Atkinson ties with Norwood's Andrew Jarman to win the 1997 Magarey Medal. Negotiations with the Unley City Council regarding a return to Unley Oval to play league football are successful as the council agrees to Sturt playing 4 games there from 1998. Coach Phil Carman is reappointed for two more seasons.

1998 - Sturt's preparations for the 1998 season begin well as no league players have left the club and selective recruiting increases the club's depth. The Blues resurgence continues as Sturt end the minor round on top of the ladder, winning 16 of their 20 games, it is Sturt's first minor premiership since 1978. The first league game at Unley since 1985 is played before a sell out crowd on Easter Saturday, the Blues end up winning all four Unley home games. Sturt march into their first grand final since 1983 with an emphatic victory over West Adelaide in the second-semi final, however the fairytale was not to be as Port Adelaide beats Sturt by 9 points.

[Look Good In Leather]

the move happened in about the mid 80's, i think it was to do with the SANFL back then looking at ground rationlisation. i remember us going back to Unley in 1997 i reckon with the first game back being against South on a wet day, i got my photo in the local Messenger.

It was actually 1998, I had a prang in my car the night before and that morning got a tow back home that cost me $100.

Went to the game with a friend, bought the old collectors card raffle with Brodie Atkinson on it and proceeded to win the $100 prize. Covered my tow bill!

Yes it rained a heap - first game I ever went to at Unley

[Mr66]

Port also played home matches at Adelaide Oval in the 70's for a season I reckon.

1975&76.
From John Wood's book 'Bound For Glory:The Story of the Port Adelaide Football Club 1939-1990'.

'With the League unable to come to terms with the Port Adelaide Council over the playing of
league football at Alberton Oval,...'

Nothing else is said about this issue so can anyone elaborate?

[whufc]

Probably doesnt need its own topic but was the story behind Sturt and the wooden spoon run. Was it poor management, lack of funds, poor recruiting, terrible coaches etc etc i just remember being a teenager and Sturt were always the easy beats.

[JK]

The NAFC Board in recent years also flirted with the idea of playing there again but alot of protests from the members plus the catering / gate split etc. not being favourable the idea was canned. Thank god again with the soon to be "over used AO" for AFL, where would that have left clubs like Sturt and North had they chosen to stay or relocate to AO in each situation?

So what was the board's rationale for the proposed move mate? Hard to see a good reason with the points youve raised above

[Mr66]

Probably doesnt need its own topic but was the story behind Sturt and the wooden spoon run. Was it poor management, lack of funds, poor recruiting, terrible coaches etc etc i just remember being a teenager and Sturt were always the easy beats.

It all started with the sacking of Merv Keane after he got them to the finals in 1988 after a three year absence.
Couple that with Rick Davies being made coach and it was no surprise that the club nearly disintergrated.
Now, as for why these coaching changes were made, we'll probably never get a stright answer from the culprits.

[on the rails]

The NAFC Board in recent years also flirted with the idea of playing there again but alot of protests from the members plus the catering / gate split etc. not being favourable the idea was canned. Thank god again with the soon to be "over used AO" for AFL, where would that have left clubs like Sturt and North had they chosen to stay or relocate to AO in each situation?

So what was the board's rationale for the proposed move mate? Hard to see a good reason with the points youve raised above

Not sure why the Board thought there was any validity in the move? I know the CEO had a "couldn't be bothered" attitude to our clubs history and the need to ensure you have a home ground / base. He was a big believer in gound rationalisation so the move would have suited him and the board being hosted in comfort in the AO members area!

[JK]

The NAFC Board in recent years also flirted with the idea of playing there again but alot of protests from the members plus the catering / gate split etc. not being favourable the idea was canned. Thank god again with the soon to be "over used AO" for AFL, where would that have left clubs like Sturt and North had they chosen to stay or relocate to AO in each situation?

So what was the board's rationale for the proposed move mate? Hard to see a good reason with the points youve raised above

Not sure why the Board thought there was any validity in the move? I know the CEO had a "couldn't be bothered" attitude to our clubs history and the need to ensure you have a home ground / base. He was a big believer in gound rationalisation so the move would have suited him and the board being hosted in comfort in the AO members area!

Mate that sounds as though it would have been disastrous had it eventuated, and shows a thorough lack of respect to both your clubs history and the grassroots supporters (which let's face it, are the most loyal type of supporters that clubs have) .. Glad it didn't eventuate.

[on the rails]

There was a massive backlash when it was proposed - suprisingly some of the Board at the time are still serving but they were somehow convinced by Elliott and co. that the move was a good idea! In the end the financial deal (including building training facilties etc.) proposed by the SACA wasn't as sweet as it first looked so it was canned on that basis plus the supporter backlash. Believe it or not the same deal was offered to Sturt who also looked briefly at moving back to AO!

[robranisgod]

There was a massive backlash when it was proposed - suprisingly some of the Board at the time are still serving but they were somehow convinced by Elliott and co. that the move was a good idea! In the end the financial deal (including building training facilties etc.) proposed by the SACA wasn't as sweet as it first looked so it was canned on that basis plus the supporter backlash. Believe it or not the same deal was offered to Sturt who also looked briefly at moving back to AO!

Incredibly I first heard of the proposed move to Adelaide Oval at the training session held before the 2007 Grand Final. The announcement certainly had nothing to do with the the result of the Grand Final, Central as always were much too good, but what a time to deflate so many keen North supporters who hadn't seen Grand Final action for 16 years and just as it was about to occur be greeted with the news that we would be leaving our home ground. Little wonder Elliott only got a handful of votes when he stood for the Board recently.