1950's

Team of the Fifties

Backs John McCashney John Jackson Max Snell

Half Backs Dennis Puiatti Barry Smith Colin Dawson

Centres John Dunstan Peter Lewis Alan Gliddon

Half Forwards Clive Rawlings Brian Dowsett Peter Symons

Forwards David Watkins Lester Gladman David Dunstan

Ruck Denis Fitzgerald

Rover Don Ash

Interchange Gordon Dendle Vitas Volkavickus Bruce Southern

Fred Dendle Keith Dawson

Captain and Coach Peter Thompson

1955

The present day club commenced in 1955.

The inaugural public meeting to consider forming a football club was held at the Leopold hall on 4th. May 1955.

From the minutes of the first meeting :

“A meeting was held at Leopold Hall to test the possibility of forming a football club in the district. There were 22 present with apologies from several others. Keith Filbay was elected to the Chair and Peter Lewis as temporary Secretary.

The Chairman gave a brief outline of forming a club. On the motion of Les Ash, seconded by K. Hammond, it was decided unanimously to form a Football Club. The Chairman called for nominations for office bearers.”

The first committee:

President Dick Foot.

Vice Presidents Keith Filbay, Alan.Thompson, Tom Fitzgerald.

Treasurer Des Larkins

Secretary Les Ash

Assistant Secretary Peter Lewis

Property E.Wheeler

Committee John Willis, Len Lewis and the office bearers.

Member’s fees would be 10 shillings.

The first social game was played against Drysdale on 5th June.

Leopold played a practice match against St Mary’s at St Augustine’s oval and were soundly defeated.

1956

Mr. Dick Foot was elected President, Les Ash Secretary and Des Larkins Treasurer.

A Senior team to be entered in the Jarman Cup section of the Geelong and District Football League.

Team colours to be Blue jumper with a Gold “Vee”. This was changed to Green and Gold as Blue and Gold was already in use by another club.

Members fee to be 10 shillings.

A shearer’s cottage from Matthews Farm at Lake Connewarre was acquired to serve as change rooms and a caravan was used as the kiosk

Mr. Bill Palethorpe elected coach.

Tom Fitzgerald appointed Captain.

Mr. Herb Jeffrey (Club Captain 1957) composed the club song.

ORIGINAL LEOPOLD FOOTBALL CLUB SONG

Seven miles from the heart of Geelong,

There’s a team who can’t do wrong.

And after we’ve played, we’ll sing this song,

We are the boys who are mighty strong.

Leo, Leopold, the team who has no fear.

They talk of Drysdale, West and Port,

And many a hard game we’ve often fought.

But after the match we’re all good sports,

As we dash to the Pub to have a few snorts.

Leo, Leopold, the team who likes their beer.

We’ve battled in the mud and we’ve battled in rain,

We’ve battled in the heat but we never complain.

We all get together for the fun of the game,

And all join as one and sing this refrain.

Leo, Leopold, the team who has no fear.

Our back men are good, our forwards are stars,

Our rucks fly high, they nearly touch Mars.

And here is a secret between you and me,

You’ll get fifty to the gallon on Filbay’s O.T.

Leo, Leopold, the team who has no fear.

There’s Tommy and Brian, Couta and Dig,

And Billy the Coach who could do with a Wig.

So rally you fellas and pay up your sub,

And forward forever this Leopold Club.

Leo, Leopold, the team who has no fear.

The 1956 season

Leopold defeat Drysdale in a practice match.

The first game, Leopold 6-2-38 lost to Drysdale 13-28-106.

Goal Kickers were: Graham Palmer 2, Neville Ash 1, Alan Thompson 1, Keith Scott 1, Graham Moore 1.

Best Players were: Graham Palmer, Graham Moore, Denis Fitzgerald, John Willis, Neville Ash.

The first win, Leopold 10-11-71 defeated Stonehaven 10-10-70.

Best Players were: Graham Moore, Neville Ash, Max Simpson, Brian Dowsett, Peter Lewis.

Leopold finishes 10th. of 12 teams with 2 wins.

Leading Goalkickers were Ray Ash and Graham Moore (9)

Club best and fairest was Graham Moore

The first footy trip was to Daylesford.

Senior player Gordon Palethorpe falls 24 feet from an S.E.C. pole. His workmate who was standing on the footpath broke the force of the fall, unfortunately Gordon later died from his injuries.

Teams in competition are Barwon Heads-Ocean Grove, Geelong West Cricket and Football Club, Modewarre, Stonehaven, East Geelong, Anakie, Torquay, St. Marys, Marshall-Grovedale, Drysdale, Portarlington and Leopold.

1957

Mr. Dick Foot re-elected President, Brian Dowsett Secretary and Des Larkins re-elected Treasurer.

Coach for 1957, four nominations. William Palethorpe (2 votes). Eric Lynch (14 votes). Les Ash (7 votes). Dick Foot (3 votes) Eric Lynch elected coach.

Leopold fields a Senior team in the G&DFL Jarman Cup section.

Herb Jeffrey appointed Captain.

Training commenced 19th March.

Les Ash donated scoreboard for 1957 season.

Report from league delegates that Torquay needs to get a louder bell and that players playing under assumed names be investigated.

W Carroll offered 9 gallons of beer if club wins premiership.

Footy trip to St. Arnaud.

Seniors finish 3rd. of 10 teams with 11 wins and lose to Torquay in Preliminary Final

Leading Goalkicker was Graham Palmer (34).

Club best and fairest was Peter Lewis

Teams in competition are Barwon Heads-Ocean Grove, GWC&FC, Stonehaven, East Geelong, Anakie, Torquay, Marshall-Grovedale, Drysdale, Portarlington and Leopold.

1958

Dick Foot re-elected President, Brian Dowsett re-elected Secretary and Des Larkins re-elected Treasurer.

Les Ash elected coach.

Leopold fields a Senior team in the G&DFL Jarman Cup section.

Les Ash appointed Captain.

In these early years Leopold was often referred to as “The Wallopers” due to the number of police officers playing. These included Rex Hackwill, Rex Greskie, Orm Stringer, Royce Beasley, Tom Pritchard, Jack Dowsett, Brian Dowsett, Ivan Lynch, John O’Donnell, Max Snell. Peter Lewis, and Herb Jeffery.

Brian Dowsett drop-kicks11 goals when, in Round11, Leopold, 26-27-173 defeat Stonehaven 5-3-33

Footy trip to Warnambool.

Leopold finishes 7th. of 12 teams with 8 wins.

Leading Goalkicker was Brian Dowsett (29).

Club best and fairest was Denis Fitzgerald.

Teams in competition are Barwon Heads-Ocean Grove, Bannockburn-Lethbridge, GWC&FC, Thompson, Stonehaven, East Geelong, Anakie, Torquay, Marshall-Grovedale, Drysdale, Portarlington and Leopold.

1959

Bill Palethorpe was elected President, Peter Dow Secretary and Charlie Williams Treasurer.

Position of coach to be advertised, Reg. Johnston selected.

Leopold fields a Senior team in the G&DFL Jarman Cup section and a Under 15 team in the G&DFL Buckley Cleverland Cup section.

Reg. Johnston appointed Captain.

Dressing pavilion to be built. 45 foot by 20 foot, corrugated iron roof and walls, weatherboard front.

The new pavilion was opened on May 2nd. It was constructed with voluntary labour by football club members and will be known as the Len Lewis Pavilion.

Mr. E.W.Bray’s quote of 36 pounds for showers and toilets to be accepted.

Briquette hot water service purchased.

Admission prices, 2 shillings adults, sixpence kids under 14.

Reg. Johnston asked to stand down as captain and coach. John McCashney appointed new captain and coach.

Regular pie nights.

Footy trip to Bendigo.

Seniors finish 8th of 10 teams with 8 wins.

U15’s, 11th of 14 teams in first season with 3 wins.

Leading Goalkicker, Seniors Don Ash (24). U15’s Ian Ash and I Foote (6)

Club best and fairest was John McCashney, U15’s ??

Teams in competition are Barwon Heads-Ocean Grove, Stonehaven, East Geelong, Anakie, Torquay, Marshall-Grovedale, Drysdale, Portarlington, Thompson, and Leopold.

Peter Dow awarded Life Membership.

1950's

Team of the Fifties

1955

1956

1957

1958

1959

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