The first official moves to enter senior football were made in 1927 when an application for admission was received by the Victorian Football association at its meeting on 15th August, on behalf of three teams in the Sandringham district, which intended to combine to place a team in the Association completion if admitted. The application was made by Mr. Voigt who later became the clubs first Secretary. It was contended that the combined team would have ample financial and local support with a large supporter base. It was stated that the Sandringham Council had authorized the expenditure of Four Thousand Pounds on improvements to the Sandringham oval but would not take any definite action until the Association had made its decision.
For a short time Brighton Beach ground was under consideration but this was later scrapped in favour of the Beach Oval.
Finally Sandringham was admitted to the V.F.A. in February, 1929, subject to the Minister for Lands granting the Sandringham Council permission to provide the Beach Park Reserve with a fence. The concrete wall was finally completed about mid-day on the day of the first match against Brighton. Even some of the players were called in to give a hand pour the concrete.
The Club colours of Gold, Black and Blue were taken from the three local sides - Gold from Sandringham Amateurs, Black from Black Rock and Blue from Hampton Amateurs.
The Sandringham team for the first game was:
Backs: Jamieson Challis Rees
H. Backs: Fricker Bourke Wallish
Centres: Oakley McCashney Jim Ryan
H. Forwards: Arnel DeLuca Geddes
Forwards: Waters Dick Jack Ryan
Followers: Gay Amsden
Rover: Ross
Although The Zebras won only one game in their first season :- against Camberwell in the sixth round on May 25th. scoring 16.14 to 12.23 a very proud tradition was born. Along with fierce rival Port Melbourne, Sandringham is the only side to have never played in second division.
Ladder Position 12th.
1930-: The Zebras appointed a new coach in J. McAuliffe, a former Williamstown rover but again they had a disappointing season recording only one victory, defeating Prahran in the fifth round.
Ladder Position 12th.
1931-: Yet again another Captain-Coach in former Essendon star Norn Beckton. For the first time the Club won it's opening game against Brighton 17.18 to 16.16. They strung together four successive wins including top side Oakleigh's first defeat for the season. Later in the year they defeated Camberwell 28.28-196 to 17.12-114. This was to stand a club record until 1977.
Ladder Position 8th.
1932-: This was to be Sandringham's greatest year since joining the Association - they won 12 out of the 20 games played and although they missed the finals they had the satisfaction of beating each of the clubs above them.
Ladder Position 6th.
1933-: The improvement shown in 1932 continued and like the previous year after appearing certain finalists faded badly towards the end of the season. A contrast of the clubs fortunes for the year are highlighted in that they kicked both the V.F.A.'s highest score 29.19 and the lowest 2.7 (against Port in the last round)
Ladder Position 5th.
1934-: After a successful opening in which they won their first four games, again failed towards the end with only three wins and a draw from the last fourteen. It was in a report of the opening game of the season that Jim Blake from the "Sun News Pictorial" bestowed the club with the name "ZEBRAS"
Ladder Position 8th.
1935-: Retirement of several players made it necessary for the Club to re-build with local youngsters. Although enthusiastic, the team lacked experience and could only manage four wins for the season.
Ladder Position 11th.
1936-: The Club fared little better this year with four wins. It was also recorded that the first school football Curtain Raiser was played at the Beach Oval between Sandringham and Black Rock State Schools. Included in the Sandringham School side were the names : Stan Tomlins, Neil Bencraft, Frank (Ginger) Scanlon, Ian Mackenzie, Mick Middleton and Ian Cummings who were later to give considerable service to the Zebras.
Ladder Position 11th.
1937-: It appeared that the recruiting of local young players was beginning to succeed, The Club improved and finished with seven wins under the guidance of Captain Coach Bert Foster of Richmond.
Ladder Position 7th.
1938-: Bert Foster was again Captain Coach and with the recruiting of players of the calibre of G. "Tubby" Edmonds, ex-Footscray Captain-Coach and Bill Compte from St.Kilda it was expected the Club would build on the progress made the previous year. The Club won five matches in succession early in the season but this proved to be their only success and they dropped down the ladder.
Ladder Position 11th.
1939-: The team was coached by former Collingwood champion Leo Wescott and captained by Bill Mitchell. Although the Club played 20 matches during 1939, it was only successful in winning six. The highlight of the year was the opening of the new grandstand on 15th April.
Ladder Position 10th.
1940-: Already the impact of WW2 was being felt by the zebras, who could manage to win only one game for the season.
Ladder Position 12th
Last Modified on 29/04/2005 16:05