Coburg Football Club held an inaugral Hall of Fame Night on Friday, May 10th to celebrate the careers of past players and officials who have been of great importance since joing the VFA in 1925.
31 players and officials were inducted in to the hall of fame on the night, with 7 of these being named under 'Legend' status. These 7 were:
Ian Liversidge, Dave Starbuck, Eric Lines, Brad Nimmo, Vincent Taranto, Phil Cleary and Graham Douglas.
Following, is a brief summary of all 31 players/officials who were inducted in to the hall of fame.
ALAN WALSH
Alan came on board with the club in 1984 assisting with our 3rds team. He joined the senior committee in 1987 but his main interests remained with the younger players. He was manager in the 3rds 1988 premiership as well as looking after their property, also to raise funds for the thirds the club gave the kiosk to them so they could finance themselves, Alan took a large part in the running of this. Alan took on the role of property steward in 1990 and has held the position through to this day, he was elected vice president in 1995-6 and was elected a life member of the club in 1993. In 2007 he received the Lloyd Moss Trophy. In 2008 he was elected a Club Director and in 2009 vice president and is still a current board member.
ANTHONY ALESSIO
Anthony came to us in 1991 from Footscray; he was awarded the best in finals trophy for our reserve team in his first year. In 1992 he excelled winning our senior best & fairest and was runner up in 1993-4. He was appointed captain of the club in 1997 and held that position until 2000. He passed the 100 game mark in 1997 and went on to play 163 games before retiring in 2000. He represented the VFA on numerous occasions and was elected captain of the representative VFA team that played in Tasmania. In recent years the VFL have utilised his talent as a selector for the representative teams. During his time “Cess” topped our goal kicking on no less than 5 occasions, a club record even though he wasn’t the full forward. Unfortunately the club was at an extreme low at this time but he stuck with us showing tremendous loyalty in tough times. He was awarded life membership in 1999.
BRADLEY NIMMO
Brad came to the club in 1979 from Essendon and fitted in perfectly to the side which went on to win the 1979 premiership. Second in the best & fairest in 1980, he tried out at AFL again with Essendon, Nth Melbourne and the Swans. On returning he finished 3rd best & fairest in 1985, he was appointed captain of the club in 1987 and led us to the 1988-9 premierships, reaching 100 games during 1988 and receiving the best player in the finals award in 1989.Retiring as a player in 1991 he stayed around helping as reserves runner and on senior selection. He was voted captain of the clubs team of the century. Brad was made a life member in 1990 and in his honour the club has named the Best 1st year player award in his name.
BRIAN ALLISON
Brian came across from Essendon in 1981 as a hard at it rover, opposition players soon found out how hard. He missed quite a few games at the wrath of the umpires but whist he was around other players seemed to grow another leg. He won the most determined award in 1983, reached his 50th in 1984. Was selected on many occasions to represent the VFA in carnival matches. Played his 100th game in 1988 and went on to play in the premiership side in 1988 and 1989. His ability was recognised when he was selected in our team of the century, Brian completed174 games and 150 goals in a long tough career. Brian was made a life member in 1990 a great club person.
BRYAN WELLS
The club was fortunate to get Bryan on board in 1965, the year the council sold us out to North Melbourne. Bryan set to reorganise the club which after playing finals in 1964 lost 12 of the players from that side. In 1966 he stood and won a seat on council which gave the club great representation where it counted. 1972 he was elected Mayor of Coburg which strengthened our position. Bryan held the position of secretary right through to 1979, which saw us win 3 premierships he was the clubs delegate on the VFA board and was made a life member of the VFA , also he was decorated with the Order of Australia for services to the community and made a life member of our club in 1970.
CLARRIE BUTCHER
Clarrie came to the club in 1961 winning the best clubman award for the whole club and the best utility player for the reserves. In 1961Clarrie was selected as captain of a VFA reserves team which played a combined team from the mountain districts. He went on to win the reserves best & fairest in 1962. 23 senior games but many more reserves. He joined the club committee in 1979 through to 1990, he organised various half time events to amuse the crowd such as kicking contests and junior games from local schools. He was our clubs junior development officer and took on running the 3rds as coach, assistant coach and team manager for 10 years. As junior development officer he coached under age teams in a VFA organised night series which included U12, U14 and U16. The VFA took him on to select the North V. South 3rds representative teams. Clarrie was a selector of the team of the century and he was made a life member in 1984.
CLARRIE MEARS
Clarrie came to the club from East Brunswick when it was introduced to the VFA in 1925 and was one of the first players to represent the club in the VFA. He won the best & fairest award in 1925-6 and played in our first premiership team in 1926. Unfortunately he missed the 1927 premiership through injury, he was injured in the preliminary final which Coburg lost, but in those days the top side had the right to challenge which Coburg won the ultimate grand final. Back in the side in 1928 he went on with 25 goals in the season to again play in a Coburg Premiership. Clarrie was made a life member in 1935, being one of the first players ever to receive that distinction. On retirement in 1936 Clarrie had played 166 games and kicked 278 goals. Clarrie was recently honoured by being selected in our team of the Century, an all time champion rover for the club.
DAVE STARBUCK
Dave started his career with the club in 1945. He played mainly at centre half back with an occasional run in the ruck. It is recorded that he was one of the last Association players to use the now forgotten place kick. Many clubs tried to lure him away including a very lucrative offer from Broken Hill. He reached 200 games in 1954 and went on to reach 219 which is still unbeaten and will probably never be. After retirement in 1956 he coached the U19’s for five years winning the 1961 premiership. Dave had conflicting ideas with the club regarding the North Melbourne deal thinking that eventually having the VFL club at Coburg it would ultimately become Coburg and we would be playing in the VFL. He took on the president’s role in 1973-4 and was the clubs major sponsor with his earth moving company for many years. He was made a life member in 1956; t was a sad day when the news arrived of his passing. As an aside our club was one of the first to play legal bingo in the state and Dave ironically won the first game played. Dave was selected in the clubs team of the century.
ERIC LINES
Eric started his playing career with our seniors in 1933 after playing in the reserves from 1926. Eric or as nicknamed “TIGER” regarded his performances with the reserves so highly he was appointed captain of the seniors in 1939. Eric’s contribution to our history however, is with the reserves, remembering that in the early days the club was split in two separate clubs ‘The firsts” and “reserves” both with their own committees. Eric started playing in 1926, played 30 senior games, played in the reserves 1927-8-9-30, four in a row premierships, captained and coached 1931-2 runners up, captained and coached the undefeated 1934-5 premier and champions, 1936 runner up, captain and coached 1937-8 premierships and played in the 1939 premiership missing the 1940 forth in a row due to the war. He enlisted in the army in WW2 and went overseas on his return he came back and coached the reserves once again in 1946, and held the position of senior vice president 1947-8-9. For his services to the country he was awarded the MBE. Eric was made a life member of our club in 1935.
ERNEST "SNOWY" MARTIN
“Snowy” came to the club in 1925 from Carlton and had an immediate impact. He played as a wingman in both the 1926-7 premierships winning the clubs best & fairest and the VFA’s Recorder cup [equivalent to the Liston] in 1927. He left to try his luck elsewhere but returned in 1931 and again won the best & fairest in 1932 playing a total of 78 games for the club. Once again records of these years have been difficult to find, but his impact in the periods he played has left indelible memories of what players of that era went through but inevitably returned to the club that gave them a chance.
FRANK CONNOR
Frank joined the committee in 1961, unfortunately a group of Committee people sold the club out and the council allocated the Ground to North Melbourne for the season 1965. We had to relocate and trained at Brunswick and played games at Port Melbourne. Frank took up the challenge as President and with a new committee, street walked Coburg and campaigned against the councillors that voted us off, the result was that some 8 councillors lost their seats and the new people voted in tossed North Melbourne off and reinstated us to the oval, in appreciation of his toils and hours of volunteering time the club awarded him life membership for saving the club from extinction. Frank continued on as President until 1972. If it wasn’t for people like Frank our club would have gone under forty years ago.
FRED COOK
Our club records show Fred first joined the committee in 1949, was elected to the position of Vice President in 1951-57 and was chairman of the kiosk committee. In 1952 Fred was chairman of the social club which had a target of L1300 to find, a well organised group attained that amount and in following seasons raised enormous amounts to assist the club. Fred amongst other tasks took up the role of assistant secretary in 1956-8, he didn’t see a lot of football as the tasks of raising funds took priority, working the gates until ¾ time and helping in the kiosk when required were amongst these. When we were sold out to North Melbourne he came on deck as assistant secretary in 1965 and put in many hours walking the streets letter box dropping leaflets to rid us of the council members that gave the ground away. Fred held that position until 1976. Fred was made a life member in 1952; he retired with over 50 year’s service to the club.
GARY SHELDON
Gary came to us from East Keilor in 1980; in his first year with the reserves he finished 3 rd in the best & fairest and 2nd in 1981. Proving he could play he went on to win the senior best & fairest in 1982. Gary had the unusual accolade of having opposition coaches send players to tag him which is rare as Gary played most of his game as a back pocket. He went off to try AFL with Essendon in 1983, returning in 1985. He finished 3rd in the 1986 best & fairest then going on to also take out the Liston Trophy for best & fairest in the VFA. Gary played in the 1988-9 premierships, and finished 3rd in 1989 and 2nd in 1992 best and fairest. When he retired he had played 159 games and kicked 57 goals. Gary played in many state games and was selected in the clubs team of the century; he was awarded life membership to our club in 1991.One of our all time great players.
GEORGE PARRY
George in his own words has spent a lifetime at the club. In 1954 he would take race results and other game scores to the scoreboard for display which was common in those days. In 1960 he was involved with the 3rds taking on timekeeper for the next 23 years. He joined the senior committee in 1976 and was involved in helping run the bingo at the town hall two nights a week. Just to keep busy on Sundays he worked in the kiosk for 33years. In the last few years George had a more relaxing role selling footy records at the gate. He was awarded the Lloyd Moss Trophy in 2010 and selected for life membership in 1982. In recognition of his service the club has named the boardroom “THE GEORGE PARRY BOARDROOM”. George sadly passed away in February this year, a clubman that will surely be missed.
GRAHAM DOUGLAS
Graham came to club in 1963 and played with the reserves for a couple of seasons. After assisting on several sub-committees he joined the senior committee in 1967 looking after publicity, special efforts and the social club. He initiated organising Bingo in 1977 which at the time was to be the big money earner for the club. Graham was elected vice President in 1978 and went on to be President in 1981-2. During this time he wore many hats, being player advocate at the tribunals 1984-9, was elected as a director of the VFA 1984-5, and the clubs delegate to the VFA 1984-9. Again Vice president from 1989-94, 6, and President in 1997 when the club was in grave danger of folding. Graham took on the more relaxing job of ground announcing in 2003 and is still currently doing the same job. He was elected as a life member in 1976 and received the Lloyd Moss award in 2008. The club has named one of the offices in respect of his services. Graham is possibly one of the greatest officials in the clubs long history.
HENRY KERLEY
Henry [or Harry as he was called] was an ex Collingwood, St Kilda and Port Melbourne [1923] and was captain coach of Rutherglen in 1924 before arriving at Coburg on its admission to the VFA in 1925. Playing in Coburg’s first ever game “Harry” kicked 5 goals steering the club to victory over Geelong. Henry played in the 1926-7-8 premierships, captained the the first two and when Hardy the coach left for Essendon Henry was appointed captain coach of the third in a row premiership. Henry won the best & fairest twice, in 1929 and again in 1930. He was 178cm tall weighing 73kg and played at centre half forward for 86 games and 126 goals. He was selected in the clubs team of the century.
IAN LIVERSIDGE
Ian joined the club as a player in 1966 playing all his time in the reserves. He was interested in the social side of the club and assisted in bar work after senior games. Ian opened the old small kiosk and managed to serve hot foods for several years. He joined the senior committee in 1974 mostly working on the social side, when bingo started he spent two nights a week at various venues trying to get it off the ground successfully. He was elected vice president in 1978, players advocate at the tribunals from 1981-99. Took on the presidency in 1983-4, Vice president again 85-91, 1999; Treasurer 1986-9 and again in 1996-7. Chairman of the Board of Directors 1987-8. Operated the scoreboard for all three teams from 1990-2000. Was awarded the Gillon Award for services from the VFA , 2000. The Lloyd Moss Award in 2009 and club life membership in 1977. The club named an office in his name in respect of his services.
JIM JENKINS
Jim was a 6’4” ruckman who originated from Tasmania he played with St Kilda in the early 20’s before joining Coburg in 1925. He was a major player in the treble crowns of the 1926-7-8 premierships. He won the best & fairest award in 1928 and again in 1931. He was captain coach in 1929-30-1, this was at a time when Northcote rose to the top, after a dream start to its VFA times the club slipped gradually down as is the norm after a winning streak. Oddly enough when Jim was captain-coach Henry Kerly won the best and fairest, then the following year when Jim was captain/coach Henry was best and fairest. Jim played 174 games as a ruckman and was selected in our team of the century. Data on achievements unfortunately are difficult to find but Jims football record places him high on our list of recipients.
JIM SULLIVAN
Jim came and commenced in 1960 in the 3rds 16 winning the Best& fairest for the club and also the Gillon Medal [the VFA best & fairest award]. He left and tried himself with Carlton & North Melbourne with little success. A casual approach to football the club talked him back in 1965 to try out in the seniors. In 1967 he found his way, winning the Liston Medal (the VFA’s best & fairest award). Off again to Claremont for another crack at the big time, and then returning to Coburg in 1969 still in great form to take out the Fields Trophy, VFA’s 2nd Division best & fairest award.The following year he played in the 1970 premiership team. Jim played 86 as a centre man and was made a life member in 1979. Strangely not winning a senior club award he’s the only player to win B&F in both divisions and an under age one as well for the VFA. One of the clubs most decorated players; Jim is a member of the clubs team of the century.
KEN INGRAM
Ken joined the club as a junior playing with our 3rd 16 winning 2nd best & fairest in 1984 and best team player in 1985. Promoted to the senior list in 1986 he gained a spot in the grand final team, voted most improved in 1987 he went on to play in 1988-9 premiership teams being runner up in the 1989 best & fairest. 1990 saw Ken win the best & fairest and in 1992-3 he ran 3rd. Reaching his 100th game in 1992, he was captain of the club in both those years setting a great example. Again winning the best and fairest in 1996 and reaching his 150th game, we saw the last of the “bear” playing for Coburg and Ken was made a life member in 1993 . Ken was selected in our clubs team of the century.
LANCE COLLINS
Lance joined the club in 1935 from the Mallee town of Beulah, in only his second season 1936 he kicked 116 goals to be top scorer in the VFA and earned selection in the VFA representative team. His best was 16 against Sandringham. Melbourne attempted to get him in 1938 but a dispute between clubs saw Lance miss the last half of the season. 1939 the problems were sorted and Lance played for us kicking 108 goals and being runner up in our best & fairest. He was appointed Captain coach in 1940 and he played out at centre half forward as Bob Pratt was at full forward, he got 73 goals in 1941 from centre half forward and took the club into the finals, also winning the best & fairest. His career spanned 98 games kicking 432 goals. Unfortunately his career was stopped from 1942-44 due to the war. Lance went to Carlton in 1942 after a dispute over finances but it was soon resolved, Coburg endeavoured to get him back in 1947 but a sponsorship arrangement fell through and we lost the opportunity. Lance was selected in the clubs team of the century and was said to be one of the greatest players to represent the club.
LAURIE BURT
Laurie commenced with the club in 1975 from the St Andrews club, quickly established himself as a top player came runner up in the best & fairest in 1976, and 4th in 1977 taking out the most determined award. He won the best & fairest in 1978 and was runner up in the Liston Trophy in 1979 and played in the premiership that year, also taking out his second best & fairest. Passed 100 games in 1980 and was appointed captain in 1981 and became only the second player ever to win his 3rd best & fairest. Passed the 150 game total in 1983 retiring at the end of that year with 157 games, and moved to Wangaratta to continue a great coaching career. Laurie was made a life member belatedly in 2003 and was selected in our team of the century.
LINTON JONES
Linton came to the club in 1971 with good credentials as an accountant and took up the role as treasurer. During this time he had great pleasure running functions to draw money from anyone who came along. He drew the nickname “scrooge” as he wouldn’t part with club money unless there was a good reason which he believed true. The books passed all requirements of the VFA. He was a major contributor to the organising of Bingo in 1977 when it was first legalised. After standing down for a few years he was enticed back to the job in 1992-5 and had a lapse until 1998-9 acting as assistant treasurer in between. He was and still is an inaugural member of our coterie group and was awarded the Lloyd Moss Award in 2011 and made a life member of the club in 1994.
NORM TOBITT
Norm came to the club in approximately 1946. Club records are vague prior to then, it is a shame that for someone of Norms ilk, history and records have been lost in time but as a volunteer worker for the club over such a large time the club recognises today his extraordinary performance. He had the task as 1st aid attendant which he did until 1948 when he was appointed head trainer a position held for the next 18 years in a voluntary position. Norm was awarded life membership in gratitude for his long service in 1951.
PHIL CLEARY
Phil joined the club from the amateurs and unfortunately he broke his arm in his first season, but went on to play some great football for the club. He played in the 1975 reserves premiership and was a major player in our 1979 premiership win [our first in 51 years]. Phil went on to play 205 games, only the second player to reach that milestone at that time. Mainly playing as a small forward he kicked 318 goals which is the fourth highest in our history. After retirement He went straight into coaching the senior side culminating in the 1988-9 back to back premierships. He went on coaching until 1992, he Became president in 1995 and again took on the job in conjunction With Dean Mighell in 2003. He is a great supporter of the club and is still currently involved with football and has the clubs future at heart. He received Life Membership in 1984. Phil was selected as coach of the clubs team of the century.
RAE LIVERSIDGE
Rae came to the club in 1992 just to help her brother Ian out, she took on the job of secretary and remained until the end of 2000. Rae was the type of person who believed once you start something you just keep on going, at on stage the committee wanted her to stand as president but it didn’t end up happening .These years were tough and the club was in a gradual slide, new insurance rules were invoked and Rae had the job of sorting out the best program and to get all the players registered and signed. All claims for this had to come back through her. She was basically working full time at the club as a volunteer. In 1993 she organised a ladies committee which ran shopping sprees’, chocolate drives and a fashion parades, using players’ girlfriends and players. Rae organised most of the printing using her own paper and computer, also handling all the advertising as well as assisting in running the events. With the amount of work involved with the Fitzroy connection, the job was getting too much for a part time person so the club went on to hire a full time general manager. She stayed on working on the committee before calling it a day in 2001. Rae was made a life member of the club in 1998.
RAY JORDAN
Ray came to us in 1956 but a clearance dispute prevented him playing until the following season. He had games with Richmond under 18’s but he didn’t want to play seconds so he headed off to play with Loch in the Wonthaggi league. He played cricket with Barney Jones who was a Coburg footballer and he suggested he join him, an immediate success winning the 1957 best first year player and representing the VFA representative side at the Tasmanian Carnival in 1960-1 and 1962. Ray won the clubs best & fairest 1959-60-1, the only player to win three in a row and one of the two of all time to win the award three times. He captained the senior side in 1961-2. Retiring after breaking an arm in 1962 and making a couple of small comebacks in the finals of 1963. He captained the side 1961-2. Ray retired on 98 games and 169 goals. He was selected in our team of the century and history tells us he went on to become one the greatest under age coaches in the history of the VFL taking Richmond’s thirds to 5 premierships. Unfortunately we lost Ray late last year, an all time great who will be missed.
ROBERT EVANS
Robert came to the club in 1984 from Tullamarine as a forward, as we found out he was one of the best full backs we have had. Rob won the best & fairest award in his 2nd year 1985. In 1986 after 8 rounds he was offered a chance with Footscray and left the club to give it a try. VFL wasn’t that bright for him however, and he returned in 1987 bringing up his 50th game. In 1988 Rob disappointedly missed the premiership team through suspension but rallied to be part of the 1989 premiership team. Off to Subiaco in 1991 leaving us after 97 games. It wasn’t long before Rob came on board the committee in 1996 and vice president in 1997. In 1998 Rob was elected President with a daunting time ahead. The club tried a liaison deal with the dying Fitzroy Football club with the hope of getting the Victorian support, this partially succeeded for the first year then it was gone. The club was on its knees with a committee left of about 5 people Rob spent hours trying to get an alliance with a VFL club, with the last gasp ring around before we switched out the lights he fell on Richmond who had just been let down by Williamstown who signed with Collingwood after assuring the tigers they were going with them. Fortunately the new life sprung into Rob and after many meetings the deal was done and the clubs future was saved. Rob was made a life member of our club in 1999.
ROBERT WILKINSON
Robert or as he prefers “Patchy” came to us in 1947, the club was struggling in these years after the war. He and his brother Henry were regular players with the club, and Patchy passed his 100th game during the 1953 season going on to reach 137 games .
He was a very consistent performer on the field winning best utility player awards on three occasions as well as the best team player awards. Club records for this period were misplaced when North came but I’m sure Patchy could recall many events that happened in his time. After retirement as a player Patchy took on the task as a trainer and acted in that capacity for some 17 years and was also working for the council as groundsman of the city oval, he just couldn’t keep away. Patchy was awarded life membership in 1960.
TREVOR PRICE
Trevor came to us from West Essendon in 1969 and slotted into the defensive role earning him a place in the 1970 premiership team. He continued to improve and in 1972 he gained the most improved award. He reached 50 games in 1973 and went on to played in his second premiership in 1974, topped the 100 games in 1978 and went on to play in the 1979 premiership and become only one of two triple premiership players still with us today. He retired in 1980 to further his career at Werribee, played several years there but was still remembered as a Coburg man. Never a great poler of best & fairest votes but was a great inspiration with his aggressive style of play which certainly kept apposing forwards looking over their shoulders. Teammates knew that whilst Trevor was around the opposition were very wary of what they got up to. Trevor was made a life member of the club in 1978 and was selected in our team of the century.
VINCENT TARANTO
Vin started with our third sixteen and won the best & fairest award in 1983,coming 3rd in 1984. He was to play his first senior game the same year. 4th in the reserves best & fairest in 1985 he played 4more senior games. He reached the 50 game milestone in 1988 then achieved the honour of playing in the 1988-9 premierships. He was 2nd Best & fairest in 1990. Voted best club person in 1984 and went on to retire at the end of 1999 becoming the second highest games record holder with 208. Stayed on as our runner until 2003 and assisted the coaching panel in 2004. Was awarded life membership in 1992 and the Club has named its achievement award in his name as a token of appreciation.
Last Modified on 14/05/2013 14:43