Footscray Hockey Club

In Brief – updated Feb 2010

The Footscray Hockey Club (FHC) was formed in late 1934. FHC fielded one men’s team for its inaugural session (1935), and added a ladies and a junior team in 1936.
As per all sporting clubs, FHC struggled through the war years almost disbanding in 1942 when membership dropped to 8.

Other than for a four year period playing at the bottom of the Yarraville Gardens (1936 – 1939), the Club’s early decades were based at Footscray Park near the old Pioneer Hotel, adjacent to Lynch’s Bridge. Subsequent moves were to Johnson Reserve in West Footscray in 1965, and then to McIvor Reserve, Yarraville in 1994.

With its provisions for men, women, boys and girls, the sport of hockey has always encouraged full family involvement, and the FHC has always been a leader in this regard. With current playing members ranging between 6 and 75 years of age, (the FHC even has five veterans’ teams!), the Club is one of Victorian Hockey’s largest.

This membership base had led to considerable on-file success (202) Grand Final appearances – 100 Premierships and 102 times Runners Up and the production of over 50 Victorian representatives. Two FHC members have represented Australia, with Ben Acton playing in the National team in the early 1950’s, and the late Bob Blackwell umpiring international hockey in the early 1970’s.

The FHC is proud of its history of community involvement and representation. As well as introducing many thousands of boys and girls to the benefits of team sport, FHC has a long history of supporting local causes – starting with the endowment of a bed at the Footscray Hospital in 1949 (£120) through to, in recent decades, raising thousands of dollars for the Red Cross and other charities.

FHC’s endeavors have always been supported magnificently by the Maribyrnong City Council (previously the City of Footscray). This support had been crucial in helping FHC achieve its role in the local community, and the facilities that are in place today are a testament to seven and a half decades of outstanding Council/Club co-operation.

Timeline

1930’s

• FHC formed in late 1934. Fielded one men’s team in its imagered playing season (1935), and added a ladies and a junior team in 1936
• Roy ‘Monkey’ Campbell lost his dentures in the mud at the ynch’s Bridge ground.
• During the 30’s & 40’s two ladies clubs competed in Footscray. ‘Footscray Centrals’ were our affiliated group, so named because a separate Footscray ladies club competed between 1936 & 1946. The ‘Centrals’ tag was dropped in the late 40’s after the separate ladies club disbanded.
• J O’Brian was removed from the presidency for failure to attend meeting

1940

• First mention of the Pioneer Hotel change-rooms (lynch’s Bridge)

1942

• Committee decides against disbanding the Footscray Hockey Club after having only eight players throughout the entire 1942 season

1945

• War Savings Certificates given as trophies

1947

• FHC played Victoria (National Champions) to raise money for the Miss Footscray quest (FHC lost 1-0)
• Old camouflage nets purchased to use as goal nets

1949

• FHC endows bed at Footscray Hospital (£120)
• FHC donated £45 to the Footscray & Yarraville Spastic Children’s Society

1950

• Ben Acton picked for Australia in both Field and Ice Hockey (Aust Captain). A great all-rounder, Ben also trained with the Footscray Football Club as a young man!!

1948-1952

• FHC U16 squad produced eight State/State Schoolboy representatives. In 1952 they defeated Strathmore 30-0 and Kew 37-0

1955

• In addition to the Lynch’s Bridge Ground (’Acton Reserve’ – Footscray Gardens), additional ground near the lily ponds

1956

• Bill Rowbury played he entire A1 game with a fractured skull (and scored Footscray’s only goal)>
• FHC lost to the USA 2-1 in a pre-Olympic Games practice match.

1957

• 6th July – Alby Speed scores 6 goals in A2’s 7-0 victory over Kew

1958

• Ladies team wear the Red, White and Blue for the first time

1962

• U15 team members called to front committee following a disturbance at the Club Dinner Dance (see Neil Coster further details)

1965

• FHC shifted to Johnson Reserve in West Footscray
• A reserve play Grand Final three times (vs St Kilda) before a result is achieved

1967

• Then FHC junior and later Federal Government parliamentarian Gary Johns selected in the State U/16 team

1972

• FHC vs Australia at the Albury Carnival

1974

• Indoor Hockey started at the Footscray YMCA
• Administrative disagreements caused a split in the club. Significant numbers left to join Werribee and new club Sunshine

1979

• Men’s ‘Senior Club Champion’ award won by U16 captain Greg Hopkins

1980

• Revised constitution cuts committee from 15 to 8

1983

• Footscray Hockey Club incorporated
• $100,000 extension/upgrade to Johnson Reserve pavilion

1985

• FHC win senior premierships in all 5 grades contested in the Mens division – Australian Record

1994

• FHC shifts to the magnificent McIvor Reserve complex!!

1999

• FHC return to SL1 (men’s) after 33yr break

2000

• FHC christens its second synthetic turf pitch – a magnificent ‘watered’ field

2006 – 2008

• Over 3 seasons FHC competes in 20 Under Age Grand Finals 

2008

• FHC judged to be “Victoria’s Best Junior Club”

2009

• In early 2009 the club re surfaces its original (Eastern) pitch, and christens a new $225,00 warm up and junior development area. FHC celebrates its 75th Commemorative Year. During late 2009, the Centre hosted Australia’s largest hockey carnival, the two week Australian Veteran Mens Championships. The event was an outstanding success, as were the venue and the famous FHC hospitality! Planning proceeding to resurface the western ‘wet’ pitch at the end of the 2010 season.

2010

• FHC records 19 Junior teams, 8 senior Ladies teams, 6 senior Men’s teams and 6 Vets teams (39 teams total) and breaks through the 500 total, active playing members.