PART II Seagulls on the wing W. T. (Bill) WILLIAMS 1945-66 BRIAN LEWIS 1967-97 FOREWORD IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES an effort has been made to collate the records of the Sandy Bay Football Club from its inception, and renew acquaintances with all the great players who have worn the Club’s Blue and White Guernsey. Months of research have resulted in the compilation of this comprehensive record, and if perchance some name or names or facts have been omitted the writers offers their apologies. During the years of the Second World War and particularly 1942-43 seeds were sown for the introduction of district football in Hobart and sub- urbs. Many were sceptical of the success, but it was obvious that now was the time to implement the scheme if district football was to succeed. The big barrier was the breaking of old club ties, but with the suspension of League football during the war years and the retirement of most of the pre- war champions the powers that be decided in favour of the new scheme. In 1945 we saw four district Clubs provide the football namely Sandy Bay, North Hobart, New Town and Hobart. In 1947 Clarence and New Norfolk were admitted to the competition. The teams remained unchanged until 1986 when East and North Launceston were admitted. In 1987 the Burnie Hawks and the Devonport Blues were also admitted to form a Statewide League. The number of teams remained the same until the 1994 season when Launceston was admitted, thus creating a bye. No further change occurred until 1997 when all teams handed in their licenses and unfortu- nately the rest is history. During the latter part of 1944 an inaugural meeting was held at Sandy Bay’s Wrest Point and the Sandy Bay District Football Club was born. The meeting, which was well attended, elected the late Father O’Donnell as the first President and Mr E. W. Barwick as Honorary Secretary. W. T. Williams, author of Seagulls on the Wing 1945-66, Father O’Donnell had gained a lifetime of experience in football commemorating the 21st anniversary of the Sandy Bay Football Club. 123 THE SPIRIT NEVER DIES seagulls on the wing administration having played a leading role in guiding the destinies of the 1945 North Western Union for many years. Mr Bill Barwick, comparatively new to football, was to become a dom- OFFICE BEARERS inant factor in the early years of the Club. The outstanding success of the President: district scheme was most marked and shows the great foresight of those MAJOR V. A. GEARD, M.B.E. gentlemen who had the courage and vision to put their ideas into realities. Deputy President: The Queenborough ground attendances over the years speak volumes B. J. THOMPSON for the interest evinced in the scheme as far as Sandy Bay is concerned. Committee of Management: Over the years many brilliant players have been seen in the famous J. C. PRATT, W. T. WILLIAMS, M. BENNETT, D. R. TAIT, Blue and White colours, and the Club stood very high in its contribution M. LYELL, H. EVANS, K. McCARTHY, J. ROGERS, to Intra-State and Inter-State football. L. CONTENCIN The writers trust that the following pages bring as much pleasure to Hon. Medical Officer: DR. J. MAGNER readers as it has to them in their research and compilation of “Seagulls on Hon. Auditor: H. H. FACY the Wing”. Hon. Secretary: E. W. BARWICK Assistant Secretary: H. STEVENSON Hon. Treasurer: T. R. COOMBE Club Delegates to T.A.N.F. League: MAJOR V. A. GEARD, E. W. BARWICK, H. STEVENSON (Proxy) Trainers to Club: W. NEWITT (Head Trainer), R. CASE, S. HUTCHINSON, B. MOODY, M. NEWITT, J. PELHAM, E. SMITH Door Steward: A. CHARLTON First Aid Attendant: R. BADENACH Team Manager: J. C. PRATT Property Steward: D. PRATT Boot Studders: T. HOPWOOD, J. WARD GAMES PLAYED BY PLAYERS J. ROGERS, 19; R. JONES, 19; N. RUDDOCK, 19; H. AYERS, 18; N. BAKER, 18; K. McCARTHY, 18; C. WILLIAMS, 18; I. GORMAN, 18; S. DOBJECKIE, 17; K. THOMSON, 16; C. SHERRY, 16; A. N. CLARKE, 16; R. CHOPPING, 15; E. BAR- RENGER, 15; R. LINCOLN, 14; L. ALEXANDER, 12; W. JAGER, 12; C. ROSSENDELL, 10; H. MEDWIN, 10; R. CASTLES, 9; D. QUINN, 9; A. DAVIDSON, 7; G. HOPWOOD, 7; J. HAZEL, 5; J. YOST, 4; R. ROBINSON, 4; H. BENNETT, 4; E. DENEHEY, 4; R. PURTON, 2; M. EVANS, 1; D. HAWKER, 1; E ZSCHECH, 1; S. PORTER, 1. 124 125 THE SPIRIT NEVER DIES seagulls on the wing Jack Rogers was unanimously appointed as the Club’s first Coach and The official opening of the season at the Queenborough ground was also Captain. Jack, who had played for Lefroy in the old League, was soon performed by the Deputy Lord Mayor Alderman Cuthbertson. The Sandy to assert himself as a most astute leader and courageous player. His experi- Bay flag was unfurled by Mrs E. W. Barwick, wife of the Club’s secretary. ence and steadiness helped in winning many matches in the early years of 1945 was a good year for the Club, winning nine games, losing six and the Club. one being drawn in the home and home matches. In the semi-final the Club Noel Ruddock at centre half-forward stamped himself as a player of played a 9.10-64 points draw with New Town, but in the play off soundly great potential even at 17 years of age, and in this first season played many defeated the Townies by 12.18 - 90 points to 6.9 - 45 points. In the final fine games. The magnificent service given to the Club reached out until the against North Hobart the Bay side scored convincingly 7.14 - 56 points to end of the season 1960 and embraced 242 games. 5.7 - 37 points. Harold (Nunky) Ayers gave the Club two years of brilliant football, North Hobart, as minor premiers, had a double chance. Then in the playing at centre half-back and full back. His robust dashes and long clear- Grand Final North Hobart had their revenge winning the first District Grand ing kicking will always be remembered by supporters. Final with the result – North Hobart, 10.17-77 Sandy Bay, 7.6-48. Keith (Skeeter) McCarthy who had starred with Lefroy, soon made his The Club was well represented in the North versus South games with presence felt, and apart from his senior games gave great service as Captain Noel Ruddock, Harold Ayers, Jack Rogers, Eddie Barrenger, Reg Castles and and Coach of the reserves. Reg Chopping. Dick Jones and Noel Baker were two hard working players in the dif- The performances of the Club during the season, and with sound ficult first season and gave the Club great service. Stan Dobjeckie, Reg Cas- administration the Sandy Bay Club had already established themselves as tles, Col Williams, and the late Ivan Gorman only played in 1945, and then a football power. were transferred to other parts of the island. In the Club’s first game at their home ground, Reg Castles thrilled the Eddie Barrenger was the Club’s first rover and he was responsible for crowd with a magnificent exhibition of high marking and long kicking. many fine games, his ball handling being a feature of his play. From four of these marks he registered four goals each from sixty-five to Len Alexander and Neil Clarke were two first year players who were seventy yard kicks. This was a gem performance. to leave their mark on the early records of the Club. Both these players were Later in the season Noel Ruddock gave supporters a taste of his ability to be star players for a number of years. when he scored nine goals against New Town on the New Town ground. Kevin Thomson and Clive Sherry were two players who performed well It was not the number of goals, but the positional play, safe marking and in this first season, the former was a dashing half-back flanker and the lat- accurate kicking that made this game another gem. ter a big strong ruckman. Reg Chopping joined the Club from Woodbridge and his high mark- ing made him a very valuable addition to the ranks. He was later cleared to North Hobart where he played very well. Rex Lincoln and Col Rossendell were two early players who gave the Club good service. Rex was a wing man who later turned his attention to umpiring, and Col was a dashing half-back flanker. Bill Jager, Henry Medwin, Allan Davidson, Guy Hopwood, Jim Hazell and Bunty Bennett were others to do well. The League delegates were Major V. A. Geard, E. W. Barwick, with Harry Stevenson as proxy. 126 127 THE SPIRIT NEVER DIES seagulls on the wing 1946 WILLIAM LEITCH MEDALLIST 1946 Patron: ALDERMAN R. O. HARRIS President: MAJOR V. A. GEARD, M.B.E. Deputy President: B. J. THOMPSON Committee of Management: J. C. PRATT, W. T. WILLIAMS, M. BENNETT, R. JONES, K. McCARTHY, D. R. TAIT, J. ROGERS, E. PILKINGTON (latter 2 players’ representatives), E. W. BARWICK (Hon. Sec.), H. STEVENSON (Asst. Sec.), T. R. COOMBE (Hon. Treasurer). League Delegates: MAJOR V. A. GEARD, E. W. BARWICK, H. STEVENSON (Proxy) Property Stewards: D. PRATT (Seniors), M. BENNETT (Reserves) This second year of the Club was a memorable one for two reasons. Firstly it was the first premiership and secondly it saw the formation of the Seconds League. Some years afterwards this name was changed to Reserves and for obvious reasons they will be referred to at all times as Reserves.