Extracts from Newsletter

December 2015 2015 ANNUAL DINNER

President Barry Capuano once again hosted another great Past Players &

Officials Association Annual Dinner at the Windy Hill Social Club in the

week preceding this year’s Grand Final. Around 160 members and invited

guests attended the function which was brilliantly hosted by Terry Daniher

for the second year in succession. Terry kept the full program running

pretty much on time and his interviews with some members of both the

1965 and 1985 Premiership teams were a real highlight. The theme of this

year’s Annual Dinner was to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 flag

and the 30th Anniversary of the 1985 flag and many members from both

teams were in attendance.

It was great to see EFC CEO Xavier Campbell on the main table along with

EFC Board members Paul Brasher, Paul Cousins, Catherine Lio, Lindsay

Tanner and of course Simon Madden. A number of officials from other AFL

Past Player Associations also attended.

Two Debut jumper presentations were made on the night. Graeme Schultz

presented Russell Ellen who had travelled from West Australia with his

Debut Jumper and Mark Bolton presented Sean Wellman with his Debut

Jumper. Both presenters and recipients made entertaining speeches and

managed not to give away too many secrets about each other.

A real feature of the night was to see so many from the 2000 era at this

year’s function. Attendees included Jason Johnston, Ben Doolan (over from

WA), Joel Reynolds, Adam Ramanaukus. Sean Wellman, Mark McVeigh

(down from Sydney), Steven Alessio, Dustin Fletcher, Mark Bolton and Scott

Barnes. Rumour has it that this group were by far the last to depart the

premises.

The 1985 Premiership Team

Brownlow medallist Graham Moss was also over from WA this year and had

a great night catching up with his mates from the ‘70s in particular. Also

attending was Fred Gallagher (1952-1958) who, as he does every year,

travelled down from Queensland.

Comedian Paul Martell had a very hard act in Terry Daniher to follow but

nevertheless did an outstanding job keeping everyone highly entertained for

almost 30 minutes.

A “Certificate of Outstanding Service” was presented to the recently retired

Dustin Fletcher who was attending the function for the first time.

This event continues to grow year by year and is a real highlight. It’s readily

apparent to all present just how strong the bonds are that have been built

up over the years and clearly demonstrates the strength of this part of the

EFC. The Association has over 350 members across Australia.

John Williams, Hugh Delahunty and Ken Fletcher enjoy the night.

Terry Daniher, Bryan Wood, Steve Carey and Paul Vander Haar reminisce about the 1985 Premiership win.

WHO IS THIS PAST PLAYER? Jim Anderson

Jim Anderson has the privilege of being the first registered footballer for the EFC at the start of the VFL era commencing

in 1897. He also played in the first game against Geelong at Corio Oval on the 8th May 1897, the team winning 7.5.47 to 3.6.24.

Jim, who was a defender, played in three Premiership Teams

with the EFC in the period immediately prior to the formation of the VFL in what was then the Victorian Football Association.

Jim played in the VFL from 1897 to 1905 and again in 1907, playing 142 games and kicking 13 goals. He was a member

of the 1897 and 1901 Premiership Teams. He was Captain in 1903 and 1904 and Vice-Captain in 1899. He represented

Victoria in 1903 and 1905 and was a Committee member in 1905.

Jim was in the best players in the 1897 Premiership win against Melbourne, the team winning 1.8.14 to 0.8.8, the lowest scoring final of all time.

AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT Jack Jones and Charlie Payne attended a function at The Royal Melbourne Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine on the 15th October to

celebrate the retirement of Mrs. Evelyn Dibbs who had been a volunteer in the emergency department for more than 35 years. Mrs. Dibbs was retiring,

due to who own health problems, at the magnificent age of 99. Mrs. Dibbs is a die-hard Essendon supporter and member and enjoys

nothing more than discussing the Bombers performance each week .

The organiser of the event , Kerry Tieppo, commented in an Email following

the event; “Jack and Charlie were delightful and their time and participation

was very much appreciated. Mrs. Dibbs was overwhelmed by the generosity

in Jack and Charlie giving up their time to attend her celebration and

similarly, with the generosity of EFC in the gifts they presented her

with. The thoughtfulness afforded to Mrs. Dibbs by EFC; particularly the

Past Players Association in arranging for Jack and Charlie to attend,

definitely left her with a lasting impression and added to her happy

memories of this event. Mrs. Dibbs is still talking about how wonderful her

day was but particularly Jack and Charlie’s presence.”

Jack and Charlie with Mrs. Dibbs.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Ian (Bluey) Shelton Years played: 1959-1963 & 1965 Games played: 91 Now lives in Avenel.

What did you do, football wise, following your playing days with

Essendon?

Became playing coach of Seymour F.C in Waranga North

East footy league for 4 years. Won one Premiership and

were Runners-Up three times. Came home to Avenel for

last 4 years to try for flag-didn’t work!

What job/jobs did you pursue following your playing days, including what you are

doing currently?

Returned to farm at Avenel. Still here producing food for the ungrateful lot

in the city.

Are you still working? Yes

Have you suffered with any post football injuries and have any required surgery?

Few parts don’t work too well but generally OK. Bits of surgery on my

hands.

Do you have any ongoing medical problems?

Generally keep pretty good health, usual aches and pain in some joints etc.

What are your thoughts on the modern game, and how would you change any of the

areas that you don’t like!

Seems to me about 40% of the time the play is a congested crowded mess.

Restrict the Interchange dramatically is the key. Better spread of players over the ground-can move the ball forwards more regularly (not backwards). Good players will shine, more scoring and crowds will come to watch the

games. Sound bloody old don’t I!! Do you have any special anecdotes from your playing time to pass onto other past

players?

Macca, don’t hit the umpires and Shawry, don’t argue with them. Spook,

make sure you whack the right bloke who hit you. Shut up Alec. Mitch, pick

up your man. Fraser and Davis, your game lacks a nasty streak.

Who were your mates in your playing days with Essendon, do you keep in touch?

Kevin Parks, Paul Doran, Reg Burgess, Barry Capuano, Jim Forsyth, Ted Fordham,

Geoff Leek, Greg Brown, Max Byers and others.

Who were the players you most admired in your playing days at Essendon?

For Essendon: Jack Clarke, Ken Fraser, Russell Blew, Barry Davis, Don

McKenzie, John Birt, Reg Burgess, Graeme Beissel

Other teams: Ian Stewart, Bob Skilton, Alan Morrow, John Schultz, Verdun

Howell, Kevin Murray, John Nichols, Brendan Edwards.

Do you have any comments that you would like to pass on about your time at

Essendon?

The club made me welcome-a lot of us started playing in late 50’s early 60’s.

We became mates and stuck together and success followed because of that –

it’s the way to win flags-stay together and don’t piss off chasing more

money!

Michael Sheldon Years played: 1978-1980 Games played: 11

Now lives in Ashgrove Queensland

What did you do, football wise, following your playing days with Essendon?

1981-1983 with Subiaco WA, 1988 Wilston Grange Qld

What job/jobs did you pursue following your playing days, including what you are

doing currently?

Began in Air Traffic Control in 1983 and still going.

Are you still working? Yes

Have you suffered with any post football injuries and have any required surgery?

A few minor knee ops to tidy up the cartilage in both knees. Very little

articular cartilage left.

Do you have any ongoing medical problems?

Nil.

What are your thoughts on the modern game, and how would you change any of the

areas that you don’t like!

Love the pace of the game and the ingenuity of coaching staff who seem to

circumvent all attempts to force teams to play a certain way. The deliberate out of bounds rule seems to be poorly administered.

Do you have any special anecdotes from your playing time to pass onto other past

players?

While still in school I was ferried around a lot by older players and especially

by Jack Jones who also risked his life by taking me out for driving lessons

in his V8 Holden.

Who were your mates in your playing days with Essendon, do you keep in touch?

Roger Merrett, Peter Light, Kevin Walsh. Occasionally see Spitty when in

Melbourne and bumped into Carlton in the airport lounge recently.

Who were the players you most admired in your playing days at Essendon?

For Essendon: Roger Merrett, Tim Watson, Neale Daniher, Paul Vander Haar,

Simon Madden, Steve Carey, Shane Heard, Garry Foulds. Fortunate to see

the genesis of a great Essendon era, Merve Neagle, the list goes on.

Other teams: Without doubt the best non EFC footballer I ever saw was

Gary Buckenara who I played with at Subiaco. Nat Fyfe eat your heart out.

Krakouer brothers were a joy to watch.

Do you have any comments that you would like to pass on about your time at

Essendon?

The club had a reputation for integrity and for honouring its commitments

even those settled on a handshake. Take a bow Midnight!

ANYONE KNOW THEIR WHEREABOUTS?

We have lost contact with the following past players, so if anyone can help

us with contact details we would be greatly appreciative:

Che Cockatoo-Collins, Tom Hislop, Mal Michael, Jay Nash, Michael Quinn,

Steve Richardson, Dean Rioli, Michael Ross, Justin Stubbs & Brian Walsh.

FACTS FIGURES AND OTHER TRIVIA

“A Little History”

The EFC club was founded by members of the Royal Agricultural Society, the Melbourne Hunt Club and the Victorian Woolbrokers. It was formed

sometime between 1871 and 1873, held at a meeting at the home of the well-known brewery family, the McCrackens, who owned several city hotels.

The club began as a junior club, and its first official match was played against the Carlton second twenty on 7 June 1873, with Essendon winning

by one goal. Essendon played 13 matches in its first season, winning seven, with four draws and losing two. The club then became one of the inaugural junior members of the VFA in 1877, and began competing as a senior club

from the 1878 season. During its early years in the Association, Essendon played its home matches at Flemington Hill, but moved to the East Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1881. In 1891 Essendon won their first VFA

premiership, which they repeated in 1892, 1893 and 1894. This has never been achieved by any other league team since. The team was undefeated in

the 1893 season. From 1873 to 1896 (pre VFL) a total of 534 players represented Essendon.

At the end of the 1896 season, Essendon along with seven other clubs formed the Victorian Football League. Essendon's first VFL game in 1897

was against Geelong at Corio Oval in Geelong. Essendon went on to win its first VFL premiership that year. The first registered player for Essendon’s

VFL team was Jim Anderson, who was born in 1869 and went on to play 136 games.

The club became known by the nickname "the Same Olds", from the title and song performed by a band of supporters which regularly occupied a

section of the grandstand at the club's games.

After the 1921 season, the East Melbourne Cricket Ground was closed and demolished to expand the Flinders Street rail-yards. Whilst playing there from 1882 to 1921, the team had won four VFA premierships (1891–1894)

and four VFL premierships (1897, 1901, 1911 and 1912). The club returned to Essendon, and the Essendon VFA club later disbanded

following another flag in 1911, with most of its players moving to North Melbourne.

The old "Same Olds" nickname fell into disuse, and by 1922 the other nicknames "Sash Wearers" and "Essendonians," that had been variously

used from time to time, were also abandoned. The team became universally known as "the Dons" (from EssenDON); it was not until much later, during

the war years of the early 1940s, that they became known as "The Bombers" — due to Windy Hill’s proximity to the Essendon Aerodrome.

Since 1873 there have been 1,658 players named to represent Essendon, with 1,124 having played since the VFL/AFL began in 1897 to the end of the

2015 season.

COMMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT

The club and players have had to withstand three years of intense pressure

and this eventually showed up in the second half of this season when the

team struggled to perform at its best. This has come as no surprise to any of

us as I believe we all feel that they have been treated most unfairly, not only

by the system but also by the media. Although the WADA saga is yet to be

finalised, we all hope that the players will be exonerated and the club can

get on with developing a very competitive football team.

The club has made a lot of structural changes and apart from the

appointment of John Worsfold, the club has also appointed Guy McKenna

as an Assistant Coach. Both of these men have great experience as players

and coaches and we wish them all the best in producing good results for the

club. Rob Kerr is now the General Manager of Football and we wish him all

the best in this role.

Barry Capuano

SPECIAL MEMORABILIA AVAILABLE We have had produced special commemorative caricature posters of the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 Premiership win, signed by the Captain Ken Fraser,

and the 30th Anniversary of the 1985 Premiership win, signed by the Captain Terry Daniher.

A Limited Edition of only 25 was produced for each occasion, of which a number have been sold, leaving the balance available at a special price of

$75 each. If you would like to purchase one of these posters please contact Barry Capuano on 0407592979. They would make a great Christmas

present for an Essendon follower. All enquiries for merchandise items should be directed to Don Gross on

9337 5753 or through our Website, www.essendonfcpastplayers.com.au

RON CLARKE-ATHLETIC LEGEND

Ron Clarke was the brother of Essendon Legend Jack Clarke and played

some games for the Essendon U19’s and Reserve Grade teams in the 1950’s.

Ron and Jacks father Tom Clarke played 103 games for Essendon between

1927 and 1934 and spent many years on the Committee to 1973.

Ron was the torch bearer for the opening of the 1956 Olympic Games held in Melbourne.

He unfortunately passed away in June this year.

SEASONS GREETINGS

We wish all of our members and supporters all the best for a very happy Christmas and healthy and prosperous New Year.

Let’s hope that we can start the New Year with a clean slate and see the team performing well next year.