Resource The NMFC History thread

[Kanga Glory]

What a superstar Bob was in that era. He established Budget Rent-a-Car and was the son of Reg Ansett, Ansett Airlines. Amazing man. His recall of the elephant isn't quite right. My recall (stand to be corrected) is that it was to promote a circus that was in the area - maybe Ashtons or Bullens. It didn't come from the zoo. It was a pies game at Arden St and the elephant was walking around the outer boundary when the pies came onto the ground. The cheers of the pies folk spooked the elephant and that's why it started to charge. Somehow it just stopped. Could have been a disaster.

And there was a young girl on it back

 

[giantroo]

What a superstar Bob was in that era. He established Budget Rent-a-Car and was the son of Reg Ansett, Ansett Airlines. Amazing man. His recall of the elephant isn't quite right. My recall (stand to be corrected) is that it was to promote a circus that was in the area - maybe Ashtons or Bullens. It didn't come from the zoo. It was a pies game at Arden St and the elephant was walking around the outer boundary when the pies came onto the ground. The cheers of the pies folk spooked the elephant and that's why it started to charge. Somehow it just stopped. Could have been a disaster.

You're right.

Arden Street Archives: The Elephant

A jumbo-sized crowd has been blamed for sparking a mini stampede from a circus elephant in 1978.

www.nmfc.com.au

 

[Bertie22]

What a superstar Bob was in that era. He established Budget Rent-a-Car and was the son of Reg Ansett, Ansett Airlines. Amazing man. His recall of the elephant isn't quite right. My recall (stand to be corrected) is that it was to promote a circus that was in the area - maybe Ashtons or Bullens. It didn't come from the zoo. It was a pies game at Arden St and the elephant was walking around the outer boundary when the pies came onto the ground. The cheers of the pies folk spooked the elephant and that's why it started to charge. Somehow it just stopped. Could have been a disaster.

My recollection is the same. We must have been standing next to each other!

 

[gokangas]

My recollection is the same. We must have been standing next to each other!

I was in the grandstand with my mother and sister . Remember thinking how cool it was to see an elephant on the ground and then all hell broke loose. All over in a few seconds but it could have ended much worse. Almost as exciting as when the trainers fundraising BBQ caught fire behind the stand we had to evacuate the grandstand. Nobody would move. Best burgers ever (right up there with Burra Burgers) but that was the end of them.

 

[Gumble Frankieton]

I bought one of these a couple of years ago. Just need a t-shirt of the hot dog stand catching fire (I was there for that one but not the elephant)

 

[Twinkletoes]

My recollection is the same. We must have been standing next to each other!

I was standing in front of my Row C seat under the tin roof on the outer wing as a ten year old in utter disbelief.

 

[Hojuman]

And there was a young girl on it back

Didn't they find the girl and had her on the Front Bar or something ?

 

[Hojuman]

Girl on the elephant

A 47-year-old postie has come forward as the girl on the back of the rampaging elephant.

www.nmfc.com.au

 

[Kanga Glory]

Didn't they find the girl and had her on the Front Bar or something ?

Yeah

 

[outwecome2play]

I was also there on the day. The elephant ran towards the crowd who would have been on the half forward flank down the scoreboard end. The crowd just created a big space for the elephant.

 

[Kanga Glory]

 

[kangaroo7]

THE NOONAN BROTHERS



Like all teams, North Melbourne have had many sets of brothers play for them. But two who are now largely forgotten were involved in the club's first premiership — Daniel and Patrick Noonan.

The story begins with the older brother Daniel, known as "Son". He made his debut with North Melbourne in 1893 after being recruited from Albion United. He played nearly every match in 1893 and 1894. In 1895, after eight rounds, North were on the bottom of the table with just one win. The club decided that players Noonan, Morrison and Manton, were "not putting in sufficiently"and disqualified all three. The disqualification was lifted in 1896 and Daniel became a regular in the team, usually playing on the half-back line.

Younger brother Patrick, known as "Paddy", began his football career with Fitzroy in 1896, playing with them for four seasons - one in the VFA and three in the VFL. He was a member of the Maroons' first VFL premiership team in 1898 proving himself a skilful rover. But in 1899 he was left out of Fitzroy's Grand Final team for some unknown reason and left the club. He turned up at Carlton in 1901 and played with them for two seasons. But Carlton were not then a successful team, and after just two wins in two years, Paddy left them also.

Paddy decided to join his brother Daniel at North Melbourne in the VFA. He arrived at the start of 1903 where Daniel was now an established player and team captain. The club was a dominant force, having come close to being premiers in the past few years. The brothers combined to make North a top side in 1903. Daniel was a solid defender, usually playing centre-half-back. Paddy was a clever rover, not overly fast, but it was said that he could walk through a pack of players without being touched. He could dominate a game with his roving skills. His skilful play helped the club greatly.

In a spiteful match against Richmond mid-season, Daniel lost his temper and was reported for striking, saying it was in retaliation after he had been struck. He was disqualified until the end of the season. Paddy took over as captain and led the side to second place on the ladder at the end of the home and away matches.

For the first time The VFA decided to have a finals series to decide the premiership. Paddy was one of North's best in their semi-final win over West Melbourne. The following week against Footscray in the Final, Paddy did not play due to a death in the family. An older brother had died the day before the match. North manged to win without him. They now had to face minor premiers Richmond, who had the right to challenge the Final winners. In a very rough match, Paddy Noonan was again one of North's best despite getting a lot of physical attention from the opposition. He had helped the club win its first flag.


In 1904, the Noonans again featured prominently, playing in nearly every match and enabling the club to finish third. It appears that Paddy retained the captaincy he had taken over the previous year from Danny.

North played minor premiers Richmond in the semi final and managed to win a very closely contested match. Before the third quarter began, Richmond accused some North players of wearing metal spikes in their boots and requested the umpire to do a boot inspection. Paddy Noonan refused to submit to it, saying that the umpire had inspected the North players' boots when they had left the pavilion only minutes before. He would later be reprimanded for this and it would contribute to Richmond refusing to play the Grand Final when the same umpire (Allen) was appointed to officiate at it. North had defeated Footscray in the Final in another rough match and Richmond, as minor premiers had the right to challenge - a right they chose not to exercise. So North were 1904 premiers by default.

The 1904 Final match against Footscray would prove to be Daniel's last match for North. Neither brother played for the club in 1905. Paddy apparently"went bush" and played for the Tallarook team in the latter half of the season, much to that team's benefit. Danny was refused a permit to go to StKilda in June, then joined a junior club called "The Murmurs." He later joined West Melbourne and manged one match, ironically against his old club, but was badly out of condition and had little input. Neither he nor Paddy played football for North in 1906, Danny was likely retired by then.

Both brothers played cricket for North Melbourne even in some of the years they didn't play football for the club. Both were handy batsmen, and Daniel played for Victoria on five occasions. Paddy made some high scores for North in 1906 and was captain in 1909.

In 1907, Paddy went to Williamstown and led them to the minor premiership. Then, sensationally, just before the finals, he resigned. It was understood that his retirement arose from remarks made by another prominent member of the team, and not a falling out with the committee, as some believed. Williamstown managed to win the premiership without him. He played only one match for them in 1908, before going to junior club Yarraville to coach.


In 1909, Paddy returned to North and played eight more matches, taking his total for the club to 43. He apparently resumed the captaincy sometime during the season after two others had held the position. North were rebuilding at this stage, still recovering from their failed attempt to join the VFL in 1907. But in the last round of 1909, they faced Footscray, who were struggling to hold fourth spot and desperate to win. But at three quarter time, North held a seven point lead and Paddy addressed his players:

"Now lads. You've got this crowd thinking. It is
against their pride to be trailing you. They will be
very keen to to take the lead in this term, so I
want everyone to be in front of his man. In their
anxiety they will push and scrag. You can play
for and earn all the free kicks. Take your time,
look where you kick. They will become rattled,
and the game will be ours."

The team obeyed their captain's instructions and held on to win by a point.

In 1910, with the arrival of "the big four" from Carlton, George "Mallee" Johnson was appointed playing coach in place of Noonan. Paddy was not upset as he did not want to continue and soon joined the North committee. He would serve the club in a number of off-field and administrative roles for some years. He came back in 1929 to coach North after Charles Tyson resigned after Round 5. Paddy coached for the remaining 13 rounds for one win - against Footscay.

In May 1910, Daniel Noonan died at the young age of 37. He had played at the club for 12 seasons notching up 165 matches. His son James played eight matches for North in 1919-20. He later played for Geelong (VFA) and Brighton and was recognised as one of the cleverest forwards in the competition.

Paddy died in 1935, aged 59. He had no children. He had made a great impact on the club since arriving in 1903, although he only actually played for North for three seasons for 43 matches. He missed out on taking part in Fitzroy's premiership in 1899, North Melbourne's in 1904 (forfeited by Richmond, although the club considered their Final team against Footscay as their premiership team) and Williamstown's in 1907 when he resigned just before the finals. Had he played all of his football at North, he could have been one of the club's greatest rovers.

 

[DEVO]

THE NOONAN BROTHERS



Like all teams, North Melbourne have had many sets of brothers play for them. But two who are now largely forgotten were involved in the club's first premiership — Daniel and Patrick Noonan.

The story begins with the older brother Daniel, known as "Son". He made his debut with North Melbourne in 1893 after being recruited from Albion United. He played nearly every match in 1893 and 1894. In 1895, after eight rounds, North were on the bottom of the table with just one win. The club decided that players Noonan, Morrison and Manton, were "not putting in sufficiently"and disqualified all three. The disqualification was lifted in 1896 and Daniel became a regular in the team, usually playing on the half-back line.

Younger brother Patrick, known as "Paddy", began his football career with Fitzroy in 1896, playing with them for four seasons - one in the VFA and three in the VFL. He was a member of the Maroons' first VFL premiership team in 1898 proving himself a skilful rover. But in 1899 he was left out of Fitzroy's Grand Final team for some unknown reason and left the club. He turned up at Carlton in 1901 and played with them for two seasons. But Carlton were not then a successful team, and after just two wins in two years, Paddy left them also.

Paddy decided to join his brother Daniel at North Melbourne in the VFA. He arrived at the start of 1903 where Daniel was now an established player and team captain. The club was a dominant force, having come close to being premiers in the past few years. The brothers combined to make North a top side in 1903. Daniel was a solid defender, usually playing centre-half-back. Paddy was a clever rover, not overly fast, but it was said that he could walk through a pack of players without being touched. He could dominate a game with his roving skills. His skilful play helped the club greatly.

In a spiteful match against Richmond mid-season, Daniel lost his temper and was reported for striking, saying it was in retaliation after he had been struck. He was disqualified until the end of the season. Paddy took over as captain and led the side to second place on the ladder at the end of the home and away matches.

For the first time The VFA decided to have a finals series to decide the premiership. Paddy was one of North's best in their semi-final win over West Melbourne. The following week against Footscray in the Final, Paddy did not play due to a death in the family. An older brother had died the day before the match. North manged to win without him. They now had to face minor premiers Richmond, who had the right to challenge the Final winners. In a very rough match, Paddy Noonan was again one of North's best despite getting a lot of physical attention from the opposition. He had helped the club win its first flag.


In 1904, the Noonans again featured prominently, playing in nearly every match and enabling the club to finish third. It appears that Paddy retained the captaincy he had taken over the previous year from Danny.

North played minor premiers Richmond in the semi final and managed to win a very closely contested match. Before the third quarter began, Richmond accused some North players of wearing metal spikes in their boots and requested the umpire to do a boot inspection. Paddy Noonan refused to submit to it, saying that the umpire had inspected the North players' boots when they had left the pavilion only minutes before. He would later be reprimanded for this and it would contribute to Richmond refusing to play the Grand Final when the same umpire (Allen) was appointed to officiate at it. North had defeated Footscray in the Final in another rough match and Richmond, as minor premiers had the right to challenge - a right they chose not to exercise. So North were 1904 premiers by default.

The 1904 Final match against Footscray would prove to be Daniel's last match for North. Neither brother played for the club in 1905. Paddy apparently"went bush" and played for the Tallarook team in the latter half of the season, much to that team's benefit. Danny was refused a permit to go to StKilda in June, then joined a junior club called "The Murmurs." He later joined West Melbourne and manged one match, ironically against his old club, but was badly out of condition and had little input. Neither he nor Paddy played football for North in 1906, Danny was likely retired by then.

Both brothers played cricket for North Melbourne even in some of the years they didn't play football for the club. Both were handy batsmen, and Daniel played for Victoria on five occasions. Paddy made some high scores for North in 1906 and was captain in 1909.

In 1907, Paddy went to Williamstown and led them to the minor premiership. Then, sensationally, just before the finals, he resigned. It was understood that his retirement arose from remarks made by another prominent member of the team, and not a falling out with the committee, as some believed. Williamstown managed to win the premiership without him. He played only one match for them in 1908, before going to junior club Yarraville to coach.


In 1909, Paddy returned to North and played eight more matches, taking his total for the club to 43. He apparently resumed the captaincy sometime during the season after two others had held the position. North were rebuilding at this stage, still recovering from their failed attempt to join the VFL in 1907. But in the last round of 1909, they faced Footscray, who were struggling to hold fourth spot and desperate to win. But at three quarter time, North held a seven point lead and Paddy addressed his players:

"Now lads. You've got this crowd thinking. It is
against their pride to be trailing you. They will be
very keen to to take the lead in this term, so I
want everyone to be in front of his man. In their
anxiety they will push and scrag. You can play
for and earn all the free kicks. Take your time,
look where you kick. They will become rattled,
and the game will be ours."

The team obeyed their captain's instructions and held on to win by a point.

In 1910, with the arrival of "the big four" from Carlton, George "Mallee" Johnson was appointed playing coach in place of Noonan. Paddy was not upset as he did not want to continue and soon joined the North committee. He would serve the club in a number of off-field and administrative roles for some years. He came back in 1929 to coach North after Charles Tyson resigned after Round 5. Paddy coached for the remaining 13 rounds for one win - against Footscay.

In May 1910, Daniel Noonan died at the young age of 37. He had played at the club for 12 seasons notching up 165 matches. His son James played eight matches for North in 1919-20. He later played for Geelong (VFA) and Brighton and was recognised as one of the cleverest forwards in the competition.

Paddy died in 1935, aged 59. He had no children. He had made a great impact on the club since arriving in 1903, although he only actually played for North for three seasons for 43 matches. He missed out on taking part in Fitzroy's premiership in 1899, North Melbourne's in 1904 (forfeited by Richmond, although the club considered their Final team against Footscay as their premiership team) and Williamstown's in 1907 when he resigned just before the finals. Had he played all of his football at North, he could have been one of the club's greatest rovers.

Great read. I can't remember where I read but I always thought it was Dave Noonan not Daniel Noonan. The VFA Project also has it as Dave Noonan.

 

[kangaroo7]

Great read. I can't remember where I read but I always thought it was Dave Noonan not Daniel Noonan. The VFA Project also has it as Dave Noonan.

Definitely Daniel. There was no Dave. The guy doing that VFA Project is doing a great job, but there are some errors. This is partly
because sometimes even the papers got it wrong.
.

 

[DEVO]

Definitely Daniel. There was no Dave. The guy doing that VFA Project is doing a great job, but there are some errors. This is partly
because sometimes even the papers got it wrong.
. View attachment 1892909

Thank you, I will update my information.

 

[gerry101101]

View attachment 1874881

Clear ‘sum up our season in a GIF’ potential. Just need to know if the extended version ends with a fall or a stampede crushing opposition fans.

Either is a possible meme for us this year. Hopefully the latter!

 

[kangaroo7]

This might be pretty harrowing reading. But if you think the club is going through a lean time now, then spare a thought for the early days of their time in the League. This covers their first period of difficulties. A second one will follow.




1926 - 1931 HARD TIMES



This is a summary of the first of the difficult time periods the club went through after being admitted to the VFL.

North had fared better than most had expected during their first season in the VFL. They had managed five wins and finished in tenth place above fellow new teams Footscray and Hawthorn. But the following years would bring heartbreak, difficulties and disappointment.



1926

This was a most unlucky and heartbreaking year. The club did not register one win, losing six matches by less than ten points. The best it could manage was a draw against Hawthorn. Captain-coach Wels Eicke resigned his position after Round 3, ostensibly for business reasons. He played only one more game for North before requesting a clearance back to St Kilda. Former Melbourne player Gerald Donnelly, whom the VFL had ruled at the end of 1925 was residentially bound to North, was appointed captain for the rest of the season becoming the youngest captain in the VFL. Club greats John Gregory and Charlie Cameron

23

Charlie Cameron

Age

29

Ht

180cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.1

3star

K

8.4

3star

HB

3.7

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.5

5star

D

9.6

2star

K

7.9

3star

HB

1.7

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.7

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

9.6

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.2

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.2

4star

made their debut this year. After Round 11, champion ruckman Johnny Lewis went interstate and did not play again until the following year.

The Argus newspaper noted that there had been no improvements to the North Melbourne ground in almost 30 years. Although the surface had been greatly improved in 1898, there was little accommodation or shelter for spectators. The Melbourne City Council now had control of the ground and were urged to take the matter in hand.

Toward the end of the season, there were rumours of a merger with Brunswick, who had sensationally withdrawn from the VFA and forfeited the remainder of their matches when two of its players were suspended until June 1927. The Brunswick ground had a large new grandstand which North at this stage lacked. But the problem with the recruiting boundaries of several clubs and losing the North Melbourne ground made this merger unlikely.
Despite the lack of success, the club's financial position was good, it being able to pay a 5/- a match bonus to the players and spending £500 on a trip to Sydney. North travelled to New South Wales in September. They played a match against the Ovens & Murray League top side St Patricks in Albury, which they lost. They then played a combined Metropolitan team in Sydney and lost again


1927

This season began so well. Former club champion Syd Barker returned from Essendon to take over as captain-coach, although he was now 39 years old and injury restricted him to nine matches. With him came another former North forward in Tommy Jenkins. He had kicked nine goals for Essendon against North in a 1925 match and was built like a barrel, but he managed just three matches. The club decided that it was too light and needed more big, heavy men to assist its ruckman Lewis. It recruited several big men, most of whom made little impact.

A more useful player was Collingwood captain Charles Tyson, who had been sacked by that club after their 1926 Grand Final loss. He had been suspected of "playing dead" which he vehemently denied. He was cleared to North and would soon prove his worth. Secretary Stan Thomas had noticed two good players playing for St Pats at North's 1926 end of season match and invited them to come down - Lewis "Max" Pitchford and Arthur Lowe. Also making their debut were John Dowling (rover), Bill Lynch (ruckman-defender) and Bill McCabe (ruckman)

In addition to new players, construction of a new grandstand was begun during the season and completed in time for use in 1928.

North began the season with two close wins over Fitzroy and Essendon. They then narrowly went down to Geelong by two points when a shot for goal after the bell by Metcalf went out of bounds. The following week they kicked a then club record score in a big win over Hawthorn. After four rounds, North were ladder leaders and the toast of the town.

From there it all fell apart — on and off the field. North did not win another match and finished second-last, only Hawthorn keeping them off the bottom. Internal dissension was beginning to make itself felt. Within the club were some individuals who were not happy with the way it was being run. These would form a "Welfare Party" and oppose all of the "Progressive Party" candidates except the president at the club's election in December.

In June, Albert "Curly" Linton had requested a clearance to Footscray, having not trained regularly for some time. He had been dropped from the senior team after Round 3. Originally from Tasmania, Linton had been at North since 1922 and was a talented centre and half-back player. His request was refused. In August, the club announced that Linton had been expelled for assaulting a committee member. He appealed to the VFL against this expulsion but failed.

Rumours surfaced in September of the League being reduced to ten teams, with North Melbourne and Hawthorn being the ones to go. All league delegates denied this. Syd Barker retired as a player after Round 13 due to injury, although he continued to coach. Tyson took over the captaincy. Despite the lack of success on field, the club's finances were still good and well-managed. The players were paid £3/10s plus a bonus of £2/10s per match, which was more than some other clubs.

After the semi-final between Richmond and Carlton, Richmond player George Rudolph was approached outside the MCG by Johnny Lewis and some others. Lewis had recently returned from New South Wales, where he had been since July, leaving the club after Round 11 as he had in 1926. He had been drinking and insulted Rudolph. He then attempted to strike him, and the Richmond vice-president, who was with Rudolph. A police officer arrived and arrested Lewis, but neither man would admit that an assault had taken place, so he had to let Lewis go. Richmond, however, wrote a letter of complaint to the VFL, who investigated the matter. Lewis was suspended for a year.



1928

This season was filled with controversy. It began in February when the club was accused of trying to poach players from the New South Wales League. During the 1927 Interstate Football Carnival in Melbourne, Fred Davies, Clem Clarke (both Eastern Suburbs) and Rob Smith (Newtown) had allegedly been approached and signed up by North Melbourne secretary, Stan Thomas, to play in for North in 1928. All three were stars in their state competition, and the N.S.W. League, as well as some football officials in Victoria, condemned North's action,arguing that it would not help the game improve in that state if Victorian teams kept enticing their players to leave. The N.S.W.League blocked the clearances of Clarke and Davies. Ironically, Davies would go to Fitzroy in 1930. The club did get Smith, who had moved to Victoria, and he played one full season before moving to Yarraville.

Other worthwhile players recruited this year were Peter Brown (Dimboola), Tommy Dea (Epping), Len McConnell (Warrnambool), Ormond Saunders (Mulgrave) and Ben Kavanagh (Essendon). The club would be without Lewis (suspended) and full-back Walsh, who was forced to retire due to injury. The ongoing forward line weakness would continue to be a problem. Coutts, a full forward recruited from Hamilton, was not successful.

The new grandstand was officially opened in March. Two weeks before the season began, the club's President, a committeeman and the press publicity representative all resigned.

After kicking their then lowest score of 2.9 in a Round 1 hiding from Richmond by 78 points, North actually won three of their next four matches. They held off Hawthorn by 15 points in Round 2 and came from behind to beat South Melbourne by one point in Round 4. But their big moment of glory was their magnificent 16 point first VFL win over Carlton in Round 5. North's superb second quarter shocked Carlton. New forward Kavanagh kicked five goals. After this, however, came six defeats, four of them heavy.

After the Round 11 loss, the team's selectors requested a special meeting of the full committee. The selection committee were not satisfied with the form shown by some of the older players. One of the executive officers described the Fitzroy Round 11 loss as follows: "The players gave us the worst game the team has shown since it joined the League" After a long discussion, eight players were cut from the list. The names were surprising. Vice-captain Will Russ, Alf Lambe and Jack Lock had been at the club since its VFA days. Joe Lovett since 1926. Peter Brown had performed well in his nine matches. George Styles had only managed one game since moving from Carlton the previous season. Likewise Bill McCabe. The last player, Carter, had not played at all. These players could play in the Second Eighteen, but it was too late in the season for them to go to other clubs. A ninth player, Metcalf, who had not played in the seniors this season, promptly announced his retirement. Lambe and Russ would continue their careers at Footscray the following year. Brown would go to Northcote.

Around the same time, club secretary Stan Thomas came up with a hare-brained scheme to raise money so that it could increase player payments to £5.00 per match — sell 60 life memberships at £10 each thus raising £600. This was at best a short term solution. What the club needed besides finance was more local support and a fairer distribution of the allotted districts to recruit players from. Much of the North Melbourne area was industrialised. The VFL was also not helping the weaker clubs by failing to control player payments.

A month after the club's shake-up, it received a slight when the New South Wales League wrote to the VFL requesting that North not come to Sydney in September to play an exhibition match as had been arranged. It argued that North were not as well known in NSW as more successful clubs, were low on the ladder and had heard reports of the disagreement and players being dropped. Also, the last time North had played a Sydney team, it had been beaten and the standard of play in Sydney had improved since then. NSW wanted a more successful team, like Carlton, to come. North's secretary Stan Thomas had been asked to arrange a match in April after being requested by the NSW League to do so when a team visited Melbourne. Thomas had done so, using North and Footscray, had the match approved by the VFL and advised the NSW League, who also approved. Now Thomas felt that a slur had been cast on the club. The VFL backed North advising NSW that the arrangements could not be changed, and the NSW League quickly backed down, claiming a misunderstanding.

North's last seven matches produced much improved performances against Richmond and Collingwood, heavy losses to St Kilda and Melbourne, a loss to Carlton and two narrow wins over Hawthorn and South Melbourne, thus finishing the year with five wins, slightly bettering their 1927 effort.

In September, before a small crowd, North defeated Footscray by 49 points in Sydney. Later that month, a kicking competition organised by The Sporting Globe took place at the MCG, with leading players from every state competing. North's Clarrie Nolan won the place kick with a 74yd 2ft 4ins, beating David McNamara and Gordon Coventry. Former North player Les Kew Ming, now with Echuca, won the punt kick with a 74yd 2ft 6ins effort, and the drop kick with a 73 yd kick. Kew Ming could not make it to Melbourne so he took his kicks in Echuca supervised by a Sporting Globe rep. and a surveyor.

At a Special General Meeting in November, retiring Secretary, Stan Thomas, tried to amend Rule 4 of the club's constitution, to transfer from the annual meeting to the executive the power to appoint the Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, saying that this would do away with reform movements and the tendency for a group to make a choice on party grounds. This was overwhelmingly rejected, many believing that the club was in great need of a reform party. Thomas was retiring as Secretary, and the one most favoured to replace him was former leader of the Welfare Party J.F.Meere.

At the Annual General Meeting in December, elections for office-bearers were held. It was a resounding victory for the Welfare Party, which would control the club for many years. This saw the election of two men who would render the club decades of loyal service — Johnny Meere (Secretary) and Jack Adams (Assistant Secretary). Arthur Calwell became President. Unfortunately on-field performance would not change.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

 

[Groucho]

You’re right k7, a tough read but very interesting nonetheless

 

[Hojuman]

These would form a "Welfare Party" and oppose all of the "Progressive Party"

Presumably these were based on religious lines ? kangaroo7

 

[kangaroo7]

These would form a "Welfare Party" and oppose all of the "Progressive Party"

Presumably these were based on religious lines ? kangaroo7

Not sure Hojuman, but religion did heavily influence North, and some other clubs, for many years. I believe it contributed to the poor performances. A good many of the club's officials were Catholics. But one of the early vice-presidents, Rev D Daley, was a Methodist. There were often clerymen around in the rooms after matches. At least it's not a problem nowadays.

 

[kangaroo7]

1926 - 1931 HARD TIMES (CONT.)


1929

There was the usual optimism from the outset. It was the club's Diamond Jubilee (60th) year and a "Back to North Melbourne" carnival was held in April to raise funds. The club had decided very early to refuse any clearances to players who had been approached to join other clubs and to pay each player a flat rate of £3 per match - an increase of £1. The club also appealed for more local support.

Player-wise, Lewis returned after a year's suspension, and another ruckman, Frank Melville returned to the senior list, having not played a senior match since 1925. This year also saw the debuts of R.J. "Jimmy" Adamson, Wally Carter, Edmund Clauscen, a full-back from Williamstown, and Cyril Kemp from Fitzroy. But the forward line would continue to be the club's Achilles' Heel. Their 1928 leading goalkicker, Clarrie Nolan, was lost to the club when he moved to Albury to start a sportswear business. Their N.S.W. recruit, Bob Smith, went to Yarraville. The club was plagued with injuries early in the season, thirty five men having been used by the end of Round 5.

The season began badly as there was no success on the football field, despite some fine individual efforts. After the club's poor performance against Melbourne in Round 4, Charles Tyson resigned as coach. Tyson had injured himself while playing for the Fire Brigade team in the Wednesday League. He aggravated this injury during the Melbourne match and could not move freely and direct the play of the team. His direct opponent kicked nine goals.

The committee were not impressed that Tyson had sustained this injury while playing in the mid-week League and Tyson, sensing the ill feeling, possibly jumped before he was pushed (sacked). He said he would continue as a player, but after playing in the Round 7 loss to Carlton, he requested a transfer to Yarraville. "Paddy" Noonan, who had played for North in the VFA, was appointed as replacement coach after Round 4, and he coached the club to their only win for the season — a 13 point win over Footscay in Round 14.

Rumours of North and Hawthorn being excluded again surfaced in September and the VFL had to issue a denial that this was being contemplated. The onset of the Depression as the season was ending was about to make things even harder for the club.


1930

The year began on a sad note with the death of three people who had helped the club at different times. First, former club Secretary Andy Curran, who had orchestrated North's 1910 VFA premiership, died in January aged 58. A week later, one of the players involved with that premiership, Frank Caine, died aged just 48. But it was the third death which cast a pall over the club - that of former champion Syd Barker who died aged just 42. Barker had been a megastar for the club in their VFA years before and after World War I. A bronze memorial tablet containing a life-size photo of Barker was erected in the Arden St. pavilion. His son Syd junior would play with North this year.

Johnny Lewis was appointed captain-coach, continuing the club's preferred policy of having a playing coach. A.W. "Tim"Trevaskis, who had been with North since 1921 and had taken over the captaincy last season after Tyson resigned, was appointed coach of Coburg. Leo Dwyer and Arthur Lowe crossed over to Yarraville and Coburg respectively, both without a clearance. Ed Clauscen left after Round 8 to take up employment in Portland. Ben Kavanagh was also gone. Not having money to recruit big names from other clubs, the club concentrated more on local juniors and some country players. But one player they did get from another VFL club was Geelong's George Jerram. Jerram, a policeman, was an established key position player with Geelong, but had been transferred from the Geelong police station and wished to play for a Melbourne based team. North stressed to Geelong that they were not trying to drag him away from them. Other new players included Roy Atkins (Korumburra), Albert Peters (Wonthaggi), Frank Wells (Chiltern), Mowbray Weir (Poowong) James Heenan (Northcote) and local Juniors Robert Matthews and Syd Barker Jnr. But the search for good big men was largely unsuccessful and the club was still heavily dependant on Lewis and had no dominant forwards.

North opened the season with nine new men in the side to face Geelong. They scored only two goals, both in the first quarter, and went down by 102 points. Unfortunately, this would set the scene for most of their games. They gave a false hope when they pressed second team Melbourne all the way in Round 4 to go down by 21 points, then played brilliantly in Round 5 to beat St Kilda by 28 points - their only win of the season. After that, however, there was no joy. The closest they came to another win was their Round 10 four point loss to Hawthorn after leading all day. They lost all matches bar one by an average of 54 points. Lewis was the outstanding player for North, trying his heart out week after week with little support. At the end of July, Fred Rutley, who had received a life disqualification in 1925 after the infamous match against Geelong, had it lifted by the VFL. He played in the last four rounds and kicked seven goals. A total of 47 players were used over the year.

The club, like most others, was feeling the pinch financially. Membership had dropped to the extent of £250 and match gate receipts and the VFL's finals matches distribution had both decreased. The balance sheet showed a debt of £361.


1931

Success would elude the club entirely this year. Former Carlton player Norman "Hackenschmidt" Clark, who had coached North in the VFA in 1924, was appointed non-playing coach and Lewis retained the captaincy. Twenty four men who had played in 1930 were gone. Besides Clauscen, worthwhile players to leave were Dea, Healey, Wells and Pitchford. Due to the lack of employment, the club did not go after many country or interstate players as it could not guarantee jobs for them. Many young locals trained but many did not make the grade. New players who made some impression were Frank Donnellan (returned after a four year absence and became the club's full-back), Charles Gaudion (former Footscay player who transferred to North after a season with Coburg), Neville Huggins (former Fitzroy player who came to the club after two seasons with Northcote) and Ben Whittam (Coburg) Another to make his debut this year was local junior Jack Wrout, a future star who would be lost to the club far too soon.

After the first ten matches were lost by an average of 64 points, Clark resigned as coach. Jack Pemberton, who had played with North in the VFA from 1909-1914, stepped in as caretaker coach for the remaining eight rounds but was no more successful. North was capable of matching it with other clubs, even outplaying them at times, but could not sustain the efforts for four quarters. The forward line was a weak point, constantly wasting chances when the ball was driven down by the centre line.

The club's plight was highlighted by sports writer W.S Sharland in the Sporting Globe. Eleven wins over seven seasons and no sign of improvement. Thirty seven men used up to Round 8 this season. The smallest membership in the League and low gate takings at home games. Forced to reduce payments to their players. Besides the problem of finance, North's district was not big enough. Part of it included non-residential areas of shops and factories, who's owners had no interest in supporting the club as they did not live there. West Melbourne, once a district producing many players for the club, now had a community of Italians and Maltese who had no interest in the game. The part covering Kensington and Flemington was shared with Essendon. North requested that this area be conceded to them for its exclusive use in view of Essendon's growing population compared to North's dwindling one. But Essendon refused, saying it had already lost much territory in 1925 to North and Footscay and alienated some supporters. The League had considered revising the districts in the past but had taken no action. There were suggestions of abolishing districts altogether, pooling gate receipts among all the clubs and dividing the entire state into zones.

In July the club requested and received a £200 advance from the League. This was paid from the finals dividend for the season. Around the same time, Geelong generously donated its share of the gate money received from the match at Arden St. back to North.

"Poor old North" was becoming a catch-cry among other clubs' supporters. Despite the eternal optimism of Secretary Johnny Meere, dissatisfaction with the club's position was shown by the fact that four "Progressive" candidates were seeking election at the Annual general Meeting. Meere himself was opposed by J.E Heffernan, who had been North's Secretary during their successful VFA era. But the reform movement was defeated with most of the retiring members returned. VFL Secretary L. McBrien, who was at the meeting, had to again deny rumours of amalgamation or dropping of clubs.

The dismal year ended with the death of past club champion player Joey Tankard, according to many the creator of the fingertip mark.

The club's fortunes would improve over the next two seasons before 1934 would start another horror stretch.

 

[Twinkletoes]

It certainly illustrates our blue collar roots. Historically no silver spoon to be seen around Arden St. We’ve had to fight for everything we have.

 

[cybercrab]

Hello I was just wondering if anyone has a link or download of the 2007 semi final vs Hawthorn? I've looked everywhere online but I can't seem to find anything, thanks.

 

[kangaroo7]

The second period of North's difficult early times in the VFL. WARNING - A LONG AND AT TIMES DEPRESSING READ.


1934 -1937 -- MORE HARD TIMES

North had shown marked improvement over the 1932-33 seasons under new captain-coach Dick Taylor, and were looking forward to building on this in the coming years. The effects of the Great Depression were slowly easing, although the club's financial situation was still parlous.

Sadly, the club was about to go through four more disappointing seasons, during which only eight wins and many heart-breaking defeats would be experienced. This had happened in the 1926-31 seasons, when North won just ten matches in six years. This did nothing to attract support for the club as it suffered from declining attendances and struggled to pay its players.

1934

1934 began with a two week Carnival at Arden St to raise funds for the club. Jack Adams had been appointed new club Secretary on the recommendation of previous incumbent Johnny Meere, who would become Treasurer and the club's VFL representative. Most of the 1933 list was available, fifteen fringe players leaving. But in June, their star winger Charlie Cameron

23

Charlie Cameron

Age

29

Ht

180cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.1

3star

K

8.4

3star

HB

3.7

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.5

5star

D

9.6

2star

K

7.9

3star

HB

1.7

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.7

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

9.6

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.2

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.2

4star

went to Fitzroy after eight years with North. Twelve new players and three who returned to the club after absences appeared during the year, but only five of the new ones made any real impression. The three returnees were:

Leo Dwyer. Former champion winger who returned to North after a spell with Yarraville. He had crossed to that team without a clearance in 1930. He stood out of football for two years to return to North, but would play only four more games for them.

George Jerram. Former Geelong utility. A police officer, he came to North in 1930 after his employer transferred him to Melbourne. He missed the 1933 season when he was moved to Hopetoun for a year, but was transferred to Kensington in 1934 and played for another two seasons at North.

Frank Wells. Originally from Chiltern, he played for junior team Alphington before making his debut with North in 1930. He then returned to Alphington for three years but came back to North and played every match in 1934.

Other new players to appear in 1934 and make some impression were: Lloyd Johnson (Pascoe Vale), Alf Egan (indigenous player from Carlton), Wally Guy (Carrum), Ray Mead (Essendon Sub District) and their only interstate recruit, Keith Long, from South Adelaide. 1932's club Best and Fairest, Jack Patterson, who had missed all of last season with a leg injury, also returned.

North had some good established players in Adamson, Allan, Carter, Ellis, Fitzmaurice, Gaudion, Gregory, Huggins, Lewis, Llewellyn, Lynch, Skinner, Smith, Wrout and captain-coach Dick Taylor. But several of these were coming towards the end of their VFL days, and others were becoming disillusioned with the club and apathetic. These were the ones North were relying on, with no significant infusion of new blood.

A big problem was that North's good players were continually tempted to go to other clubs. Although not always approached directly, it was made known to them that they could earn £3 per match elsewhere - the maximum payment allowed under the Coulter law - instead of the mere £1, which was all North could afford to pay them. Early in the season, two players were disciplined after they were instructed to play in the Second Eighteen and treated it as a joke, not trying. The club had warned at the start of the season that any player who did not turn up to play in the Seconds if selected would not be considered for senior selection until he had played two Seconds matches.

In June it was reported that the club was in debt to the Melbourne City Council to the tune of some £10,000. This was for a loan granted in 1928 to build the grandstand and the club had stopped paying the yearly instalments due to lack of money. The twenty year mortgage was extended to thirty years.

The season began with three narrow losses that could have been wins. Then a 22 point loss in Round 4. A heartbreaking loss came in Round 5 against Melbourne. In a wind affected match, North kicked a then record first quarter score of 10.2, but Melbourne gradually reeled them in to get home by two points. The ball went out of bounds so often that the match finished at around 5.30 in gathering dusk. Then three losses to Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon came, the Essendon loss was by 87 points. Dick Taylor had planned to resign as captain, saying he was not getting the support he was entitled to, but stayed on for another two weeks. A 92 point loss to South Melbourne followed. Then, in Round 10, when they had their best chance for a win, they failed by five points to fellow strugglers Hawthorn.

Taylor, who played his 200th game this match, was disgusted, saying that once again the defeat could be attributed to the forwards and that some men were either playing badly or did not want to play well, and there was not the right team spirit at the club. He resigned his position, saying he had played his last game for North and offering to continue as non-playing coach. But it was the club's policy to have a playing coach, and they appointed Tom Fitzmaurice to replace Taylor. A few days later, Taylor spoke out in a Herald newspaper interview, urging the VFL to balance the strength of all the teams and tighten up and enforce the Coulter Law. But he knew of no way to do it. The stronger clubs should also be stopped from approaching the good players of weaker teams with better offers. He claimed that 40% of North's players had been indirectly advised that they could get more at another club. This created discontent and lack of enthusiasm.

Fitzmaurice guided the club for the remaining eight rounds, but no wins were achieved. They came close in Round 17, going down to Carlton by 2 points. It was a most disappointing year.

"Old Boy" from The Argus summed it up in August when he wrote: "I said at the beginning of the season that I thought North Melbourne would win matches. It had size and great marking and kicking ability, and lacked only a little cleverness and finesse among the players. Evidently my judgement was sadly astray, but I do not think that North played as well as it was capable of playing. It is to be hoped that its monetary troubles are eased before next season, and that it can justify its position as a League team with better football."

North had used 38 players, 10 of them first year. Only J. Lewis and F. Wells played in every match. The one shining light for the club was its brilliant centre line especially the wingers Carter, Skinner and Cameron. They constantly drove North into attack but often saw it break down on the forward line.

By the end of the season the club had a substantial debt of £1200 and approached the VFL in November for assistance. The VFL advanced a loan of £500 on the proviso that the club could raise a similar amount, which it did through certain committee members guaranteeing a bank overdraft of £500. The remaining £200 was paid off before the end of the year. For a short time the club considered abandoning the stripes for their previous guernsey, but this did not happen.

Shortly after this North's retiring president, Arthur Calwell warned that the continual violations of the Coulter Law by the wealthier clubs would ruin the game, and that the League should police it more. The following month Tom Fitzmaurice was reappointed coach for the next year.


1935

1935 began with the usual optimism and new players being signed, some of whom would not be heard of again. North announced in January that their players would be paid £3 per week, the maximum allowed by the League. This resulted in over fifty recruits applying for places. A 1000 shilling fund raiser was arranged to improve financial and social conditions. The club was annoyed that other clubs were showing interest in some of their players, two clubs having asked permission to interview Jack Wrout.

As far back as 1927 there had been "unofficial" talk of expelling North and Hawthorn from the League, some believing that the League had made a mistake in increasing their number of clubs to 12. In 1934 a suggestion had been made that the VFL take over the VFA and create two sections. North and Hawthorn would be in the second section consisting of two groups - teams north and south of the river. But in February 1935, The Argus newspaper reported that there had been a movement afoot to expel North and Hawthorn, but it had failed because the required three fourths majority could not be obtained. Richmond, South Melbourne, Carlton, Collingwood and Fitzroy had apparently favoured the proposal. This angered the club. It was difficult enough to attract new players to it, as well as keep their existing ones, and this would not help. The club wrote a letter of protest to the League and threatened legal action. An angry Johnny Meere took the floor at the VFL meeting on 22nd February and directly asked the Richmond delegate, who was presiding over the meeting, if he had been a part of the reported movement to expel North. Upon his denial, and after the Carlton delegate raised a point of order, Meere accused them both of being involved in informal meetings - "talking around corners." Although it had never been discussed officially, it was damaging to the club. The Hawthorn delegate then spoke up, saying this also was damaging to Hawthorn, who had also received financial assistance from the League. The Footscray delegate Stan Thomas (formerly of North) stated that he doubted that the VFL had the legal authority to expel teams. The VFL agreed to give assurance to both clubs that it was not considering eliminating them.

In the midst of all this, champion player Johnny Lewis was being sought after by VFA club Port Melbourne, who had already appointed him coach. Other clubs had made offers to Lewis over the past year, but Lewis had stayed with North. North would not have cleared him regardless as he was probably their most valuable player who they could not afford to lose. A request for a clearance to Melbourne by Jack Wrout was also refused. The club's poor situation and the rumoured talk of exclusion made it determined to not clear any of their established players.

The club did slightly better than the previous season in picking up new players. Some would give useful service, a few would become stars. These included Jack Anderson (Richmond), Jock Cordner (Fitzroy), Dudley Cassidy (Ringwood), Frank Crapper (returning from Eaglehawk), Cairo Dixon (Coburg) and Bill Findlay (Footscray). North trialled 93 new players in March. Recruits were signed from everywhere. One, Arnold Fraser, rode his bicycle from Portarlington and back - a round trip of 140 miles - on two occasions to train with North. Tragically he died in a traffic accident a week before the season began. Champion Carlton rover Ron "Socks"Cooper had requested a clearance to North in February, thinking he was a good chance to become coach when Fitzmaurice retired. But Carlton feared that granting him a clearance would cause dissension among their committee. Carlton similarly later refused a clearance request from their forward Harry "Soapy" Vallence to go to North in May.

Winning still eluded the club as the season started. Their first two losses to Hawthorn and Richmond were honourable, then came two heavier defeats to South Melbourne and Fitzroy. Round 5 saw them almost triumph over Footscray, just failing by two points. Two big losses to Carlton and Melbourne followed. North came to an arrangement with struggling Williamstown for the two teams to assist each other with players. As a result, North got ruckman Roy Dellar, who was being sought by Footscray. He would make his debut the following year.

On the Thursday before the Round 8 Collingwood match, the North players were advised that their weekly match payments would be reduced from £3 to £1/10 due to the club's lack of finances. This did not help the players' morale and possibly contributed to the 80 point hiding they received.

A disappointed Fitzmaurice resigned as a coach and a player. He had coached the club for 16 matches over two seasons and had not had one success. He felt it was time for someone else to try, although as a player he had helped North enormously. He felt that the club was at a disadvantage in that it could offer no inducement to champions from other clubs or change field positions with advantage. At a special committee meeting, the club reluctantly accepted his resignation. There was also a lot of "plain talking" by some members saying that the team needed to be reorganised, new players recruited and the players should "earn their money."After failing to secure former Geelong champion Arthur Coghlan and former Essendon champion Alex "Joker' Hall, it appointed former Footscray and South Melbourne player Paddy Scanlon as new coach in time for Round 10. Ted Llewellyn took over as captain.

On top of this, one of the club's stalwarts, Adamson, refused to accept the pay cut and requested a clearance to Collingwood. He was left out of the Round 9 team to meet St Kilda. Without him, Lewis and Gaudion (state team), Fitzmaurice and Wrout, North put up a good fight, only fading in the last 10 minutes to lose by 17 points. To add insult to injury, North missed out on a £100 insurance payment for the bad weather on the day which caused a low attendance. They could not afford to take out the "rain insurance" policy as St Kilda had. Their share of the gate money was just £4/10s

Most of the players understood the club's situation and that nothing could be done. Some were keen to help, offering to play for nothing, and one even offering to lend the club £20. Coach Scanlon lamented the poor standard of the Second Eighteen team, saying that more local juniors should be induced to train with them.

Club champion Johnny Lewis was still being swamped with offers from other clubs. After hearing rumours that he had been left off North's list and that the club would give him an open clearance, he was approached first by Melbourne and then by South Melbourne while on the train coming back from Perth with the State team. But North could not afford to clear their good players any more than they could afford to pay them the top match payment. All clearance requests were refused. Adamson returned to the side after three weeks.

The last nine rounds, besides heavy defeats, produced three narrow losses to Essendon (1 point - beaten by a kick just before the bell), Fitzroy (9 points) and South Melbourne (9 points). The effort against premiership favourites South Melbourne was probably their best performance for the year, only crucial decisions in the last quarter by the umpire, who came in for much criticism, depriving them. But the one that mattered most was their breakthrough win over Footscray in Round 16. After 35 consecutive defeats, North finally broke through for their first win since Round 16 1933.

At the end of September, North travelled to Hamilton to play a combined Western District League team and manged to prevail by seven points. Despite their poor season, there was no opposition to the existing executives, all being returned unopposed with no election required. The clubs debt had been reduced from £1200 to £780. At the Annual Meeting in December, Johnny Lewis announced that he was finished with the club saying he was disappointed that the club had considered delisting him when he was in Western Australia. He would go on to give Melbourne three years of good service.

TO BE CONCLUDED

 

[Groucho]

Thanks k7 , as you say, a difficult read. Not sure what Bigfooty would have made of all that back then. Soapy Vallance would have been handy.