Old Time Footballers - Part 1

[Leaping Lindner]

- Some Memories –
(by E.K Bee)

So there will be no league football this season. Those who had followed the pastime for years could not realise that such an unprecedented happening would be possible, but those in the inner circle were well aware of the call on the young manhood of the state, and of how the exodus would act to the detriment of the sport. Last year it did not require a particularly clear vision to discern that football was temporarily on the downgrade, and it was certain that the effects would be infinitely more pronounced in the ensuing season if the pastime had been continued. Although perhaps there will be a few who will not see eye to eye with the controlling body in deciding on an abandonment, it will probably be found that their action was well advised, and when the troubled world resumes its normal condition, the chances are the game will be taken up with just the same zest that it formerly maintained. A few evening since three of us were discussing the extraordinary position, and naturally our conversation drifted back to the good old days, and many pages of memory concerning the old school were turned back, and games played over again.
It was surprising the number of prominent citizens at present in our midst whose names who conjured up as being leading lights in the art of football in their younger days. Some of the old timers have departed to their last long resting place, but they have left behind them an honoured name in football circles.

- Old v. Present-Day Players –

Comparisons were made on the present-day players with those who were at their zenith in the early days, but although my friends were in a good position to judge they would not express an opinion concerning the relative merits of the players, because it was well known that whereas a man may be a veritable champion in one department, he was a comparative failure in another. For instance, he may be a peer as a follower and of little account when placed, and vice versa. One thing we were all unanimous about, and that was that so far as the public interest was concerned the enthusiasm was much keener, say 20 years ago than it has been of recent years. Whether it is the rearrangement of the rules, appointment of boundary umpires, or the depletion of the teams to 18 a side has had this effect is not clear, but the fact remains that the rivalry does not seem nearly so keen. Perhaps it is that the game as now played is more of the open order; but it is indisputable that in the days of 40 men on the field the enthusiasm and excitement were infinitely more intense.

- Sought After By Victoria -

Many skilful exponents of the winter pastime have graced the local arenas, men whose prowess has been so pronounced that lucrative inducements have been made by Victorian teams to tempt them across the border. McMichael was one of those from to accept an offer from a South Australian source, and Victoria lost a great player when he migrated across here. Of more recent years George Bruce, Norman Clark, Swift and Vere O’Brien were a clever quartet who deserted our ranks and went over to the sister State. Bruce and Clark threw their lot in with the Carltons, and valuable men they proved to be. Bruce was most accomplished as a pedestrian, and he made a rattling good wingman. Clark too, was adept at sprinting, and on one occasion gained distinction at Stawell. Swift and O’Brien were two of South Adelaide’s foremost followers.

- Old Identities –

Now our conversation drifted back to what might be termed the pre-historic days, when three of the principal clubs were the South Parks, Victorians, and Adelaides. There was no electorate system in those days, and all manners of devices were adopted to secure the cream of the talent. Jimmy Watson was perhaps the shining light when he was in the game, and he was extremely difficult to defeat in any situation. Unfortunately, Watson met with an untimely death by being lost at sea. Billy Dedman’s work in goal always afforded pleasure; not that he was a champion in securing the leather, but rather on account of his wonderful accuracy in finding the centre. “Barky” Clark had a useful career. He met a tragic death at the fire at the Academy in Rundle Street, and there is a memory to him in the shape of a drinking fountain at the Rotunda.
Here is a group of names that will recall happy memories – W.Bracken, Joe Pollock, T.Letchford, F.Letchford, Shorty McKee, Bruce Middleton, Dicky Wills, F.Scantlebury, George Kennedy, Charlie Bagot, “Shaver” Gose, George Brown, Bissett, W.Knill, Kirk Kennedy, Joe Traynor, Sam Wallace, Ted Colbey, Iney Mehrtens, Fegoe Mehrtens, Wally Watling, Jack Sidoli, A.M Pettinger, Joe Oscorn, Tyrrells (2), Tom Reeves (four of the original Norwoods) Lou Subard, Tom Green, George Giffen (more prominent in cricket), George Downs (as enthusiastic as ever), Billy Osbourne, Plucky Barry, Joe Sharp (more concerned with rowing and bowls nowadays), Wally Boucaut, J.H Sinclair (at present S.M at Port Adelaide), Alf Roberts (Mayor of Glenelg), Martin Considine (the giant, one of the original South Adelaides), Thurgarland, George Liston, Charlie Chandler, Charlie Warren, Jack and Dick Coonan, Absalom, Flecther, Kempster (2), Tommy Richards, Alec Slight, Jack Minney, Alex Frayne, “Guff” Rawson, Ginny Dixon, Tom Hubble (recognised as the champion sprinter of South Australia), Kirkpatrick, Len Poole, Arthur Mole, Dick Stevens, Fred Fiveash, Jim Stevens, Mostyn Evan, Dud Evan, Horace Rounsevell, Fred Everett, Allan Shawver, Butcher Hamilton, Tommy Cook, George Chaplin, Alf Finlay, Tom Matson (now a well known horse trainer), Tom Tulloch, Bobby Hill, Jack Coward, Duffy Miller, W.Guster, Norman Richards, George Watson, and Paddy McGrath. These names were all memorized, and possibly there are one or two omissions of other prominent players of the early days.

(Part one of “OLD-TIME FOOTBALLERS” from “The Register” 12/2/1916.)

Interesting theory on the demise of the interest in football being due to 18 men on the field instead of 20. And that the author thinks football was more popular in the 1890s than just prior to WW1. Find that hard to believe but then again I wasn't there.

[Magpiespower]

And that the author thinks football was more popular in the 1890s than just prior to WW1. Find that hard to believe but then again I wasn't there.

Bit like us old-timers who think footy was better in the 70s and 80s.

Pretty sure the young-uns find that hard to believe.

But then again - they weren't there!