The big day has arrived the first FIFTY year reunion for the Past Players and Supporters of the Strathmore Football Club, also a FORTY,a THIRTY and a TWENTY year reunion.

Thanks to Luke Noonan who found the four premiership flags, took them home, washed them, ironed them, brought them to the reunion in terrific condition that we were able to hang them from the ceiling for every one to see
Thanks Luke it did light up the room,
.

Fifty years ago our open age side won the PREMIERSHIP in B grade, U/17 in 1977, U/18 in 1987 and open age reserves in 1997.

We had one hundred and thirty past players and supporters present to hear all the TRUE stories from their coaches and as the day got longer so did the stories from the players who represented the STRATHMORE Football Club in those premierships.

First we devoured our meal which was cooked to perfection by our current caterers.

Then onto the COACHES to be interviewed by our M C for the day CRAIG LEGGO, first up was the mercurial GEOFF MULLER (Captain &Coach )who at the ripe old age of twenty three led this young and enthusiastic team to the 1967 premiership, told how he coached the team for nothing, just for his love of the game, detailed how the season unfolded and also the final series finished up with us defeating Moonee Imperials in the grand final, playing for Moonee Imperials that day was Marty Allison whose five sons and numerous grandchildren all play for Strathmore. There were THIRTEEN members of the premiership team in attendance which was a great turnout, hopefully we might see them all back for the Sixty year celebrations.

Next up was Jeff Nickson who for the second year in a row coached our u17 team to the 1976/1977 premierships, Jeff told how eight players played in both premierships, Jeff also detailed how the season unfolded saying with five very good u17 teams in the competition it was probably his hardest year of coaching, said the finals were hotly contested and his boys played great football to come out victorious, after forty years the u/17 we’re also well represented,next time fifty year reunion, see you then.

In 1987 it was Brian Elvery’s team of u18’s who took centre stage, said after finishing second in 1986 his team were keen to go one better in 1987, they finished top two with Hadfield, beat them in the second semi, Doutta Stars then beat Hadfield in the preliminary final to set up a repeat of last year’s grand final won by Douttas, but not this year with us smashing them by ten goals and winning the 1987 premiership.the u/18 also had a good representation of players and am sure they will all be back in ten years.

In 1997 it was our open age Reserves who took out the premiership well coached by Peter O’Connor, it was Peter’s first year coaching the reserves and as they had won it the year before, he said he inherited a quality team, Peter spoke more about the after match premiership celebrations saying that at the age of forty he thought he was a seasoned drinker until he saw his team celebrate the premiership win. Again his team was well represented, expect to see you all in ten years time.

Half time entertainment was the Comedy act the NELSON TWINS who had every one with a sense of humour laughing in there seats, it was fantastic to see them in Strathmore football jumpers, after their act they staid around for some photos with the coaches and the committee which was well appreciated.The also helped with the drawing of the raffle, well done to the NELSON TWINS.

After a quick removal of the tables and chairs, the football match had finished with Strathmore the Winners, the BAND arrived to keep the good times coming, Six o’clock the pissas(diffas spelling) arrived and were devoured very quickly, then the pace picked up and I believe the night went according to plan( this old bloke went home just after the game finished) and finished on a good note.

Thanks to the helpers Steve Carey for the early set up of the room with the tables and chairs,Margaret Hamilton for table decorations and preparation of the nibbles, Bar staff Lachlan, Georgie who manned the bar in the afternoon and Zach Brown who after playing for the Reserves manned the bar until stumps.A big thanks to Zach.

The committee that put in endless hours into the organisation of this day Adam Palmer,Craig Leggo, David Watson, Anthony DiFlorio, Brad Tregear and Trent Ogston and lastly Donna White who did the minutes for the meetings, for keeping us all under control and her tireless work in buying all the little nick nacks to make the day a success and for her help on the door before the day started.

And finally to all you Strathmore die hards who turned up and made it a great day.

THANK YOU