- More Memories –
In the early eighties a centre of attraction was Kensington Oval, and many strenuous games have been won and list on that ground. It was remarkable the number of enthusiasts that use to make their way out to the eastern suburb, and where the old horse tram was not available, all sorts of vehicles were utilized. In those days the players were not adorned with coloured stockings, but wore only a guernsey and long trousers. There was none of the ankle-strap and sprig business about the old timers. Nor were the wristlet watches so popular as they are today.
- Introduction of Official Timekeeping -
The duties of keeping the quarterly time used to devolve on the umpire, and this meant that besides having his whole attention concentrated on the play he had to periodically put his hand in his pocket and extract his watch to see how the time was progressing. Naturally this was found to be a bit irksome, especially when nearing termination of the game and if the scores were at all close. It was about 1884, when Charlie Kellett, a man who is well known in athletic circles at the present day, had just relinquished his captaincy of the Ports , and constituted himself as an umpire. The idea of continually consulting his watch did not appeal to him at all, and he made the suggestion in an interstate match against Geelong, the respective captains being Topsy Waldron and Steedman, that if a bell were rung a minute before time it would be of inestimable assistance. This met with general approval on the day, and so impressed were the Victorians with the innovation that on their return home the idea was universally adopted. A little later official timekeepers were appointed to indicate the termination of each quarter.
- More Veterans –
One could go on for hours recalling names of the veterans of South Australian football. Here is another group of men who chased the ball to the delight of thousands: - W. and C. Kemp, Tom Cullinan, Dick Hooper, May and Burton (two men who travelled regularly from Gawler), Mick Coffey, George Donnithorne, Tom Smith (whose penchant also lay in the direction of pigeons), Jack Noel, Hindmarsh, Darky Hammond, Dave Green, and Maurice Rout (well known in local turf circles; the first named was also a clever boxer), Rischbieth, McGanan, A.Goode, Rimes, “Wang†Miller, Harry Burnet, George Sharp (closely associated with the late Mr C.C Kingston, who himself was a great supporter of South Adelaide), “Boots†Stewart, Jack Lyons, J.Thomson, G.A Fischer (the well-known eye specialist), Arthur Brown+, Horace and Len Wilson, “Pinky†Holbrook, Jim Shaw (a fine all-round player), George Combe, Tom Blinman (also a courting enthusiast), Jim Hardy, Alf Grayson, Freddy Monten (at present hon. timekeeper for the metropolitan racing clubs), Tot. Hall, Jeff Kekwick, Fred Sharland, the Hill Family – Clem, Dodger and Roy – Tom Oatey, Charlie Dawent, T.Robertson, Bill Dishley, W.Green, Charlie Martin, Hiram Varley (the well known magistrate), Billy McNamara, Charlie Godfrey, Billy Davis, Dick MacNamara, Archie McIntrye (a goal umpire nowadays), Frank Chapman, M.Acraman, Tom Brimble, Paddy Roachock (also an accomplished Hammer thrower), Nug Plunkett, Bob Hosie, Bob Roy, T.Carter, F.Andrews, Bob Walsh, J.G Hamp, J.Winnall, G.Hallett, T.A Robin, H.McConville, Fred Cornish, Bob Lewis, Stan Robinson, McShane, T.Beerson, Sam Furnell, Ben Furnell, J.Atkinson, Fred Allen, Hurtle Allen, Tom Eldridge, “Gobo†Cairns, Jack Duncan, W.Slattery, Binnie (2), Jack Couche, Barrett, W.Bennett, T.Bennett, “Stork†Haldane, and Tommy Hillier.
- Creswell Memory –
Jack Creswell, whose life was cut off all too soon, was in his youthful days a keen footballer for the South Parks. Just here I can relate a little incident concerning Mr.Creswell while he was secretary of the Cricket Association. In common with many other young sports, football had a wonderful fascination for me, and I confess I often took a “sparrow’s†ticket at the fence. Mr. Creswell endeavoured to prevent the juvenile encroachment by erecting several rows of barbed wire on top of the pickets and thus do away with the “bob-an-hours†, but he was amazed to discover that this was no bar to ingress; in fact, it proved useful as a step-ladder. The last straw was evidenced when for his personal delectation a lad with a wooden leg surmounted the entanglement. Mr. Creswell was too much of a genuine sport to order his ejection! He there upon decided that the only way to block the way was to bend the iron over several degrees, and this to a certain extent had the desired effect until some of the rascals came along with snips and cut the wire.
- Topsy Waldron –
This would be a poor article if mention were omitted of Topsy Waldron-a regular idol in his prime and a man who controlled the destinies of Norwood for many years. He was the life and soul of the red-and-blues, and besides being a wonderful skipper he would always set his younger and less experienced men a good example in both word and deed. Many a time I have slapped him on the shoulder when he was returning to the pavilion. Even when his days of retirement were heralded, Topsy always had a soft spot in his heart for his beloved team, and was ever ready to proffer advice. I remember him on one occasion, when acting as goalkeeper , being completely carried away when his team kicked a winning goal, and he so far lost control of himself that as to throw the red flag-it was red for a goal and white for a behind in those days-into the air, oblivious to any intention of bias! Topsy was indeed a game old battler.
- Skilful Exponents –
Vivid recollections are conjured up of the doing of Ernie Jones-Jonah as he popularly called. He did yeoman service for South Adelaide, but it was in the cricket field where he principally distinguished himself. There is no need for a Wisden to recount some of his deeds with the ball. His lightning express deliveries nonplussed more than one team, both in Australia and in England.
There were the three McKenzies - Alick, Jack, and Ken – three brothers, who accomplished much to keep Port Adelaide’s colours in the ascendant. Ken captained the Mudholians for quite a long time, and his expert generalship was a great factor in many of their successes. Both Alick and Jack were utilized in the forward department, and it’s extremely doubtful if their equals have been seen as goalkickers.
Bill and Alf Bushby were something to contend with in their prime and the former has never lost in the pastime, as up to quite recently he figured in the capacity of goal umpire. “Goody†Hamilton use to be my beau-ideal of a footballer. Of course he had his faults, but that notwithstanding he knew all the fine points in the game and when in humour would never fail to delight the spectators. Other well-known names will be revived in a concluding article.
“OLD-TIME FOOTBALLERS†from “The Register†19/2/1916.
+Arthur Brown was a player with both Medindie and North Adelaide (having started at Medindie before they joined the SAFA. He was given life membership of North Adelaide in 1898 and captained the league team that year as well. He played in both Medindie and North's first teams and even captained Medindie in their first SAFA game. The last record I have of him is in the picture of the 1900 premiership team and listed as a trainer
(from the Medindie Team Photo of 1888)
