Almanac Lunch: ‘The Footy Jumper Book’ with Swan, Hughie, and John.

 

 

 

Vin Maskell and Luke Reynolds deep in discussion.

 

What a cracking Footy Almanac lunch it was last Friday at the North Fitzroy Arms pub.

 

Lunch about to be served

 

A sell crowd bursting at the seams were entertained by three genuine super star footballers of their eras – Carlton great David ‘Swan’ McKay, and Bomber greats from the 50s and 60s, Hugh Mitchell and John Birt. They were the lunch’s special guests to introduce The Footy Jumper Book by Tim Rath and Andrew Gigacz in which all three featured, and they were warmly received by the admiring Footy Almanac community in attendance.

 

Compere Smokie Dawson opened proceedings chatting with Tim about the ideas and story behind the book, the development of the concept into the finished product, and highlighted selected stories and anecdotes behind many of the jumpers included in the book.

 

Hugh Mitchell and John Birt

 

Something as simple as a footy jumper can easily be taken for granted by many a footy fan, and the insights presented by Tim certainly were informative and opened up our minds to the heritage and history behind many of these jumpers.

 

It was a delight to hear these former greats of the game articulate so passionately and emphatically about their love of the game and the wonderful careers they all had.

 

David McKay and Smokie Dawson

 

 

To listen to David McKay chat about one of the greatest Grand Final comebacks of all time, the players he played with, the influence of Big Nick, Ron Barassi and the many wonderful players he played with was a delight to experience. His surprise revelation he trained at Essendon before moving over to Carlton due to VFL zoning changes had me thinking about the ‘what if’ scenario. What a player he would have been for the Bombers!

 

Hugh Mitchell and Smokie Dawson

 

 

I remember as a kid my dad telling me stories about the exploits of the legendary John Coleman. Although dad was a one-eyed  Bulldog supporter, I believe his stories convinced me to become a Bomber fan. To hear from someone who actually played alongside Coleman, if only for eight games as Hugh Mitchell did, was a privilege for the rapturous audience to behold. These stories Hughie told with such heartfelt passion and good humour, clearly emphasised his great admiration for Coleman as well as Hugh’s undeniable love for footy was undoubtably stated. Hugh Mitchell was a highlight for many of us.

 

John Birt

 

 

For many years I’ve admired the sublime footy skills and ability of Scott Pendelbury from afar. But a nagging thought always existed at the back of mind – Who did he remind me of? I could never put my finger to who it was, that is, until I saw John Birt last Friday and it clicked. Like Hugh Mitchell, John Birt was one of my favourite Essendon players during the 60s. Very small in stature, Birt relied on his exceptional evasive skills, his ability to find space, and his outstanding ball handling to deliver the footy precisely and to advantage just as Pendlebury does today. Not very often did Birt kick the ball long, preferring to kick short with pinpoint accuracy to a teammate in a better position. John was forthright and expressive in his presentation on all aspects of his career, especially about his coaching experiences and payments received, then later his career in football administration.

 

Like everyone at the lunch I was enthralled and entertained by the  wonderful accounts and insights  these three legends of the game delivered about their respective esteemed careers and life.

 

Thank you, David, Hugh, and John for sharing your wonderful stories with us at lunch, and Tim and Gigs for producing such a wonderful and unique book.

 

Congratulations to MC Smokie Dawson for a job well done.

 

The Footy Jumper Book can be purchased via Tim’s Sporting Nation website here.

 

All photos Col Ritchie

 

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