Historical question

[The OBSTacle]

Serious question from Obba the avid AFL historian, not Obba the stirrer, to any of the Dees historians out there.

Is it true that all Melbourne players had amateur status up until the early 60's?

Thanks.

 

[demonfan9]

No I don't believe that's correct at all. All players were paid in the VFL. While we/MCC struggled to adapt to the increased professionalism from the 70's onwards, I am very confident that our players weren't treated as "amateurs".

 

[Supermercado]

No but Melbourne were one of the (very) few clubs who stuck to the rules when it came to recruiting instead of doing dodgy under the table Vi$y style payments.

It has to be remembered that not every player was a doctor or similiar, we had plenty of working class players come through our team before the 1960's - Norm Smith included - and a strict commitment to amateurism would have seen us go the same way as University.

At the same time the sides of that era did have an advantage in that more than one player ended up with a job at the MCC when they signed with us (e.g Max Walker), Francis Vine owned a factory which employed many players (the same place Jack Mueller lost two fingers in a workplace accident before returning to play) and Ron Barassi Sr got a job with the Melbourne City Council when he came to play for us thanks to favourable connections.

I hope this helps even though it appears that you've been banned and will presumably not actually read this.

 

[Biffinator]

Serious question from Obba the avid AFL historian, not Obba the stirrer, to any of the Dees historians out there.

Is it true that all Melbourne players had amateur status up until the early 60's?

Thanks.

Meltdown Mario = Damir Roo = Tampon Dean = Knobstacle = Red Cards

 

[The OBSTacle]

No I don't believe that's correct at all. All players were paid in the VFL. While we/MCC struggled to adapt to the increased professionalism from the 70's onwards, I am very confident that our players weren't treated as "amateurs".

There's no need for defensiveness, I actually admire Melbourne for their stance in keeping the sport in the amateur ranks.

Most North players weren't paid a zac back in the 30's because we simply couldn't afford to pay them anything. The players even had to pay for their own boots!

No but Melbourne were one of the (very) few clubs who stuck to the rules when it came to recruiting instead of doing dodgy under the table Vi$y style payments.

It has to be remembered that not every player was a doctor or similiar, we had plenty of working class players come through our team before the 1960's - Norm Smith included - and a strict commitment to amateurism would have seen us go the same way as University.

At the same time the sides of that era did have an advantage in that more than one player ended up with a job at the MCC when they signed with us (e.g Max Walker), Francis Vine owned a factory which employed many players (the same place Jack Mueller lost two fingers in a workplace accident before returning to play) and Ron Barassi Sr got a job with the Melbourne City Council when he came to play for us thanks to favourable connections.

I hope this helps even though it appears that you've been banned and will presumably not actually read this.

Great info.

I have great admiration for the Cordners and their approach towards football and their club, and this led me to ask for some expansion on the idea of amateurism and it's overall application at Melbourne FC.

Thanks.

 

[Crimson Azure]

Meltdown Mario = Damir Roo = Tampon Dean = Knobstacle = Red Cards

I think your onto something Biff.

 

[demonfan9]

There's no need for defensiveness, I actually admire Melbourne for their stance in keeping the sport in the amateur ranks.

Defensiveness? I was just replying to your question.

If there's anything a Melbourne fan doesn't have to be defensive about, it's our history pre-1960's.

 

[Crimson Azure]

If there's anything a Melbourne fan doesn't have to be defensive about, it's our history pre-1960's.

That's the first thing that came to mind too, I wish I was alive to witness the reign of the MFC in the 50's & 60's.

 

[The OBSTacle]

Defensiveness? I was just replying to your question.

If there's anything a Melbourne fan doesn't have to be defensive about, it's our history pre-1960's.

I got the impression that you seemed to take umbrage at the word "amateur".

I wasn't questioning Melbournes pre 60's record in the slightest.

The fact that your club managed to be high achievers whilst at least fielding a portion of amateur players only adds to the prestige of these achievements as far as i'm concerned.