There is no shadow of a doubt,” League President and former Newtown official, Ern McFarlane wrote in the league’s annual report of the day, “that Season 1961 was the most turbulent and troublesome in the history of the NSW League.”
Now why would he write those words? Well we can ask all we want but considering we are talking about a time 53 years ago, most if not all officials of the day have left this earth and there would not be too many around today who are cognisant of the reasons.
So like any true historian would do, we have to start digging.
The year started well. For the first time in many years the league had a paid secretary, or in today’s terms, general manager. His offices were in rooms at Trumper Park. The building is now demolished.
In their infinite wisdom the league executive in a radicle move, reduced the number of players on the field from 18 to 16. This followed the pattern of the then Victorian Football Association (VFA) who had been running with this number for some years.
It was not popular move with the clubs.
Traditionalists maintained that ‘this was Australian football, it’s played with 18 players (on the field), and that’s the end of it.” But, the competition went on with regular barbs shot off at those running the game.
The League promoted the concept where possible but still there were whingers who, in the end won. By mid season the league reverted the competition to 18-aside.
There was no such uproar in 1998 when, under a new administration, AFL(NSW./ACT) CEO, John Livy introduced 16 aside to the competition.
Is it such a big deal?
Well back in 1961 there were more problems. The league treasurer resigned amid accusations of inappropriate financial activities and later in the season the fulltime secretary was suspended over similar allegations.
His replacement only lasted a matter of months before more accusations of financial mismanagement surfaced. By this time the league had relocated their offices to Suite 106, 321 Pitt Street, Sydney
The administration of 1961 was severely criticised and the contribution by the then Australian National Football Council (ANFC) towards the salary of the league’s fulltime officer was put on hold while the books were audited and the league got their arrangements into order.
The ANFC for a long time had urged the Sydney administration to divide the competition into two divisions but it wasn’t until 10 years later that a move was made in that direction and much later that steps were taken to relocate teams into divisions where they were more competitive.
Otherwise 1961 was a good year for football itself with the Western Suburbs Club being finally granted a liquor/gaming license which ultimately benefited the clubs in Sydney many times over. Their generosity was never fully recognized.
An interesting item noted in the league’s Football Record of that year was a notice in West’s Clubhouse, which said,
“No Swearing ALOUD.”
Good luck for today.
Last Modified on 01/08/2014 16:28
