Ian Wilson has become part of the Almanac furniture over the past couple of years and we’ve enjoyed getting to know him through his many contributions, some of them are very personal. He has a tremendous memory and the detail in his stories and his observational pieces is phenomenal.
By coincidence, he has a connection with my home town of Oakey, on the Darling Downs. He was stationed at the Oakey Army Aviation base for a number of years. Given the number of blokes from Down South on the base, an Army Aviation footy team played in the local Toowoomba competition. I mentioned the team in Loose Men Everywhere.
However, some blokes had a crack in the QAFL. Ian Wilson joined Coorparoo where he played in a premiership with the likes of Jason Dunstall. He has written about the 1984 premiership reunions.
Murray Bird, philosopher, historian, author, bookmaker, punter and story-teller had put his playing days behind him and had taken up the Acme Aussie Thunderer. He showed ability as a young umpire and was immediately put in charge of QAFL games which he handled so effectively he was invited onto the VFL panel – and went on to have a celebrated career (perhaps the most celebrated 41 games of all time).
Ian Wilson played in numerous games umpired by M. Bird. Spotting him at the lunch, Ian went straight over to catch up.
Muz and Ian.
Those of us who lived in Queensland in the `70s and `80s couldn’t rely on the local rags to keep us up to date with footy scores from around the country. We relied on The Australian which published all the scores with traditional details in all four codes, and also the four divisions of English and two divisions of Scottish football. Monday’s ritual was to get the paper off the front lawn, make a 43-beaner, and pore over the pages which were headed ‘National Scoreboard’.
Some days after this year’s lunch, I was alerted to this clipping from The Australian.
Firstly, I felt very nostalgic about seeing this format. I relied on these pages for more than 25 years.
Of more significance is that I. Wilson was reported by umpires M. Bird and D. Edwards for abusive language. Fifteen points down at three quarter time, I reckon I. Wilson has not been impressed with a game-changing decision and has let fly with some of the best words a working class upbringing in The West had taught him.
I’m interested to know, from both parties, what was the incident? What was said (precisely)? And whether, after four decades, an apology was offered, either way, at lunch. I. Wilson kicked three and was in Coorparoo’s best. Did he receive Grogan Medal votes?
Some familiar names played. M. Nolan is none other than the Galloping Gasometer who went on to drive taxis around Brisbane, and died too young. I’m wondering which Goss that is? And which O’Keeffe, because S. O’Keeffe may be a typo, given that K. O’Keeffe played for them? Is Kenna from Down South, maybe Koroit way and is he related to the Victoria Cross winner?
In the other game, that’s definitely Glen Middlemiss, son of Russell who played in the`51 and `52 flags. Glen played a handful of games for the Cats.
I reckon this is mid-80s and, if it is, I had played for Uni of Queensland fourths v Norths a summer or so before, putting on 130 with our hard-hitting opener Paul Daniel. He made a hundred. I gave him the strike and ducked when he hit straight (which he liked to do).
These are the characters who make lunch so enjoyable. If only I’d known this story before the lunch – they would have been up on the stage at some time. Of course Muz did lead us in the singing of the Lions song, along with Mrs Harris.
And the Lions trounced the Swans.
If you recognise any names, please tell their tales in the comments section.
Ian is now published each Monday. Read more from him HERE.
Read Murray Bird’s pieces HERE.
Read more about Murray Bird HERE
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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.
Cracking read! Definitely place on the agenda for next year’s event, perhaps there could also be an open mic section where selected Almanackers tell or read a story. There must hundreds of stories waiting to be told in that room!
1985 John. I have sent a written apology to Muz having seen this. I don’t remember the outburst but it would be unprintable. Muz was a terrific umpire but by his own admittance he had his poor days. No doubt this was one of them. My outburst was probably compounded by the fact that we weren’t the same team from an intensity level than the side that had an almost perfect 1984. We lost Jason and Michael Gibson to the VFL but we were definitely hung over. Also I had to drive 2 x hours on a Sunday night to get home to Toowoomba, so after a loss it was rubbing salt in. The QAFL was a bit of a retirement home for VFL players in those days. Jezza coached Sandgate, John Rantall Sherwood and Ron Wearmouth Western Districts. I was blessed to rove to Gary Dempsey (Southport) and Big Mick in state games. Mick especially was a great character and extremely laconic. At Coorparoo we had Kevin O’Keefe (Fitzroy), an absolute star and leader, Terry Oneill (Fitzroy/Swans) a superb utility player, Les Millar (Geelong reserves and local product) and one of the best players I ever saw in Old, Gary Becker (St Kilda reserves). We were coached by the maverick Wagga legend Laurie Pendrick who made the inaugural NSW Hall of Fame this year. These were big egos that Muz had to deal with as a 20YO! We lost the elimination final in 1985 but thankfully redeemed ourselves in 1986 beating Southport in the GF by 11 points after losing to them by 102 points in the QF. We had a couple of key ‘ins’ with the mercurial Glen Hutcheson from my hometown in WA who played in a premiership with Subiaco two years later. Mick Lenehan was another western district import who was a tough inside midfielder and made a big difference. Stephen O’Keefe is Kevin’s younger brother and played in both flags. A smooth half back who still lives in Brisbane. Tim Kenna is a cousin of the O’Keefes and a long time resident of Clifton Hill. Glen Middlemiss spat in the face of our full back Greg Page’s face in the 1986 GF and paid a hefty price. Pagey was the most talented and toughest local I ever saw up there, even compared to Jason. He went to Centrals in SA for a year then returned to become a legend on the Sunshine Coast. One of those mythical Coodabeens, he made it clear to me after I told him I met Muz, to tell Muz to get f’d. He didn’t like anyone other than his team mates, and Muz hated him too. Muz carved out a remarkable career especially when you consider the lack of development and coaching in Old in those days. My first experience with The Almanac was many years ago someone gave a a year book that had a Muz story about a lunatic veteran Old umpire. I laughed my arse off. I had no idea would cross paths 40 years on but I’m glad we did. As an umpire he makes a fine writer. Cheers
Spookily,Ian in the last couple of days I’ve come across a VFA report from the 70s covering a day where Geelong West’s Glen Middlemiss was reported three times. While researching former Norwood ruckman Greg Kuchel, one of his team mates at North Wagga was Laurie Pendrick. We’ve corresponded re Greg Page previously too. Smallish world.
That is weird Swish. I’m so disappointed you didn’t get to see pagey at his best. A terrifying individual on field and very gentle off it. A big cuddly feral pig!
My Uncle was a footballer in country Vic in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. He played until he was 45, despite losing the fingers on his right hand in a truck accident when he was 41. His son, Chris Elliott, played a few games for South Melbourne, including the 1977 Elimination Final. Uncle Norm watched a lot of country footy and said Laurie Pendrick would have walked into any VFL team. Always remember that, whenever I see his name mentioned.
Yes Glenn he went to south for a week, kicked 6 in the 2s but didn’t like the city and returned to Wagga. I played with him at nth Wagga in 1983 when he was 31 and he was a powerful player. When he was a teenager he played rugby league on the Sunday which wasn’t unusual in the Riverina.
What a ripper.
Gee, I miss those comprehensive Monday morning sports round-ups.
Loving it.
Ian, the lunatic Queensland umpire was known as The Swine and this is Muzz’s tribute to him…
https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/footy-town-the-swine/
In an even crazier coincidence, the pastor taking Mum’s funeral on Monday is Greg Page. A different one I suspect, although you never know.
What a magnificent story, with so many tangents. I’ll throw in another “it’s a small world” tangent re this fantastic discussion from 40 years ago. Ian, you mention Glen Hutcheson heading over to Subi and playing in their 1988 Premiership. Great game and not only because a Subi player, Mick Lee, a friend I shared houses with in the 80s, won the Simpson medal in 88. Cheers
That is seriously six degrees Rick! I only spoke to Hutch last week and he said he was attending his first Subi 88 reunion shortly.
John that is definitely not G Page from Coorparoo. Unbelievably Pagey despite being the most unmerciful full back in Qld’s history, is a man of faith. Thanks for the link, I love that story.
A bit of a post script. Jason gets to Hawthorn in 1985 and in 1986 plays in his first premiership. Pagey meanwhile is selected for the inaugural Bears side to play Hawthorn in a practice match at Carrara at the start of 1987. Dunstall faces Page and Page keeps him to two goals despite a rampant Hawks midfield. Myself and Kevin O’Keefe agree Pagey was the most talented local product of his time. I’ve never seen someone as gifted on both sides for someone of 196cm and as physical. He seriously terrified opponents. Footy wasn’t the be all for him. He came down and stayed last year for the Lions losing GF and is a long time member. He has a very successful floor sanding business, lives on the Sunshine Coast with 3 kids and has been renovating an old cottage in Tenterfield as a hobby. He’s in numerous ‘Teams of the Century’ but is unaffected and still the loyal, fun bloke I met 40 years ago. Cheers
Terrific yarn! I met Murray Bird when I was appointed CEO of Qld footy in 1996. I recognized him at our first staff meeting. “Aren’t you the guy who reported Allen Jakovich back in 1992?” Yes-that was me. “Hang on a minute-aren’t you the same guy who with John Russo failed to give Diesel Williams a Brownlow vote after amassing 44 possession against Melbourne in ’93?” Yes-that was me. Ever since that day Muz and I have been the best of mates.
He is one of the best storytellers of all time. I have asked him on numerous occasions to write a book about his footy journey – he has so many hilarious tales to tell it should not be lost to the rank and file footy lover.
I have also had the “privelege” to meet The Swine – a unique individual to say the least.
Hopefully Ian and Muz can share the story at next years lunch.