Brighton FC’s only flag in 1948

This is a letter I received from Ian Bennett (of The Local Footy Show on Channel 31), who has unearthed remarkable film of the 1948 Brighton semi-final, preliminary final, and grand final. If you have any stories about this team or it’s players we would love to hear them. To find out more about the reunion on Saturday (March 26) you can ring Ian Bennett on 0411 513071 or go to The Local Footy Show’s article at http://www.localfootyshow.com.au/pageitem.aspx?id=34484&id2=1&eID=30812&entityID=

G’day John,

Wondering if you were still in Canberra or back in Melbourne town.

If you are in Melbourne we would like to invite you along to a reunion that we have organized to celebrate Brighton Football Club’s only premiership in the VFA.

We received some very good video footage “in colour” of the 1948 VFA finals series which we have shown on The Local Footy Show and will give a good airing at the reunion.

Brighton committeeman Wally Bail (great uncle to Melbourne player Rohan Bail) took the footage of the first Semi Vs Northcote, the Prelim Vs Brunswick and the Grand Final Vs Williamstown.

In that Grand Final side playing in the ruck is Alan Stretton (The Major General that had control of Darwin after cyclone Tracy) who lives in Canberra and Batemans Bay and a really nice man.

We have tracked down six of the players from all around Australia (all in their 80s) for a reunion next Saturday and it should be a terrific get together for these old guys. On the phone they are all with it, and have story after story to tell. Hope they can rekindle old times next Saturday.

Mr Bob McAsey

Yandina Creek

Qld  4561

Mr Tom New

Rye

VIC 3941

Mr W Pinder

Wodonga

VIC 3690

Mr Geoff Turner

Colac

VIC 3250

Mr Keith Warburton

Tatura

VIC 3616

Alan Stretton

Canberra ACT

I know that you are interested in older players (VFL) that played league footy so thought you might be interested in this reunion.

Cheer

Benny

About John Harms

JTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is publisher and contributing editor of The Footy Almanac and footyalmanac.com.au. He has written columns and features for numerous publications. His books include Confessions of a Thirteenth Man, Memoirs of a Mug Punter, Loose Men Everywhere, Play On, The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story and Life As I Know It (with Michelle Payne). He appears (appeared?) on ABCTV's Offsiders. He can be contacted [email protected] He is married to The Handicapper and has three school-age kids - Theo, Anna, Evie. He might not be the worst putter in the world but he's in the worst four. His ambition was to lunch for Australia but it clashed with his other ambition - to shoot his age.

Comments

  1. Dave Nadel says

    One of the more interesting team nicknames. Go the Penguins!

  2. tracey ritchie says

    does any one know the clubs theme song back in 1948

  3. ross mcculloch says

    Hello John, I have a number of photos/articles on the Brighton F.C. and others around the same time(1948 and earlier if you would like copies. Regards Ross McCulloch

  4. Elie Lederman says

    Just listened to the interview of Alan Stretton on the Coodabeens. Terrific. Any chance of posting the 1948 video to Youtube?

  5. john Hingston says

    As a supporter of the Penguins I remember they used to play Tiger Rag on the public address system at Elsternwick Park when Brighton hit the front in a game.

    Great memories.

Leave a Comment

*