Affiliated: Geelong Football League (GFL) 1979 - present.
Formed: 1934, when the Chilwell Football Club (formed 1874) and Newtown Football Club (formed 1874/75) merged.
Colours: Black with a red strip (same as AFL Essendon)
Emblem: Eagles (formerly the Combine, then the Wells, and later the Bloods)
NEWTOWN & CHILWELL FOOTBALL CLUB - PREMIERSHIPS
SENIOR: 1937, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1986
RESERVE: 1965, 1971, 1977, 2006, 2011
UNDER 18: 1944, 1945, 1947, 1955, 1982, 1966, 1968, 1991
UNDER 17: 1990, 1993
YOUTH GIRLS: 2012
UNDER 16: 2001, 2003, 2011
UNDER 15: 1992, 1994
UNDER 14: 1973, 1988, 2006
UNDER 13: 1972, 1990, 1997, 2001
UNDER 12: 2005
Senior Competition Best & Fairest Player Awards:
Geelong & District Football League (Evelyn Hurst): Lindsay Gross (1964), Rod Cotterill (1968), Noel Mullen (1969).
Geelong Football League (Mathieson Medal): Basil Flynn (1985)
Highest Score: 47.16 (298) vs North Geelong 7.4 (46) in 1982
Most Senior Games: Craig Morrissy (271)
Chilwell Football Club in early records was referred to as the Clarendon Football Club then the Riversdale Football Club.
According to references in the book "The Earlier Days of Newtown & Chilwell" - 'Some noted footballers lived in the suburbs of both Newtown and Chilwell, and their influence was felt at the Geelong Football Club from the beginning. Dr. David Boswell Reid of Chilwell had taken a leading part in forming the Geelong Football Club in 1859. Newtown vacant allotments were amongst those in the suburbs where preliminary 'trial kicks' were held in 1860; but the Geelong Football Club's first ground was near the Agricultural Society's Showgrounds (Ryrie and Garden Streets) and Newtown players thought the distance to far. They decided to remain members only on the understanding that matches would be on the Argyle ground. Some of the better know footballers from the borough were H. Timms, Snr., of Chilwell and his brother who were in the first team in Geelong; Dr. Boswell Reid also of Chilwell played with Geelong on the old Argyle ground in 1860; and George Stevens of Newtown, brother of Bishop Stevens, also played senior football with Geelong. They were followed by many others 'Newtown & Chilwell supplied a great proportion ofthe players in the Geelong Team for many years - Dr. Alec 'Shacko' Timms, son of H. Timms Snr, Captain of Geelong, Frank Brockwell of Newtown, Edward 'Wingy' Stevenson of Chilwell, Ted Rankin of Riversdale and his sons Bert and Cliff of Chilwell, Jim Palmer of Newtown and Arthur Pink of Newtown.
By the 1870's there was a growing public interest in other local football teams. Both Newtown and Chilwell Football Clubs existed by 1879 - "Chilwell's general meeting in July that years was at the Sawyers' Arms Hotel. It was assumed that they probably played on Chilwell Flat (Kardinia Park) as often as not, but one game between East Geelong and Chilwell drawing press comment in June 1881 was at South Geelong (that is, south of the Grammar School, rather than Kardinia Park). 'Blood, hair and one (artificial) tooth flew, These exhibitions were 'a disgrace to all parties'. If a few similar matches took place,' said the Geelong Advertiser 'a great deal of interest would be centred on the combatants.
Other local football teams were: - Newtown Juniors better known as Newtown Magic's, because their Guernsey's were supplied by Cr. John McLeod and bore the trademark of his Magic Soap Works (Victorian Soap and Candle Co.) on the back of the Geurnsey ' heart pierced with an arrow', Magic Soap Works was located in Riversdale Road, Newtown near the Barwon River. - Newtown Imperial Minor, - Chilwell Junior, - Riversdale Minor.
Since the formation of both clubs they have been affiliated with the following leagues:
1879-1918 Geelong District Football Association (GDFA)
1919-1921 Geelong District Football League (GDFL)
1922-1932 Geelong Junior Football Association (GJFA)
1933-1938 Geelong District Football League (GDFL)
1939-1945 Geelong District Football Association (GDFA)
1946—1978 Geelong And District Football League (G&DFL)
1979 the clubs comprising Division One of the G&DFL seceded en masse to form the Geelong Football League (GFL) as it is currently known.
At the conclusion of the 1933 season Newtown & Chilwell Football Club was formed by the amalgamation of two of Geelong's oldest clubs, Newtown Football Club which had fallen on hard times and having difficulty getting players, and Chilwell Football Club which along with other clubs such as North Geelong, Barwon, Geelong West, Queenscliff, Werribee and Guilds Scouts formed Geelong's original league.
In April 1934 a meeting was held with a view to stimulating interest in combining both the Newtown Football Club and Chilwell Football Club at the town hall, over which the Mayor, Cr. J.T. Gill presided. The meeting was attended by the President of the Geelong & District League Mr. B. Mason and Secretary Mr. Foster. The the meeting discussed the election of office-bearers and the method of finance for both these club, including the liquidating of a small debt on behalf of the Newtown Football Club.
Mr. H.D. Tomlinson was elected President and Mr. N. Thomas as Secretary. The balance of the committee was elected from both clubs, Vice-Presidents: Messrs Gordon Smith and J. Stein (Chilwell) and Rae Hume Jnr. and W. Honey (Newtown). Committee: Messrs G. Moore and R. Oates (Chilwell) and T. Elford and N. Carter (Newtown).
The combined club adopted Chilwell's colours, a Black Guernsey with a Red Strip, the same as AFL Club Essendon. Newtown played in the blue and white hoops of Geelong. The first Coach for the newly merged club was Bruce Mills.
Since the amalgamation the club was initially known as the "Combine" then the "Wells" then the ‘Bloods’ and since the mid 60's known as the ‘Eagles’.
Prior to the amalgamation both clubs had successs; in the 1897 Grand Final Newtown defeated Chilwell to be Premiers, Newtown went onto win 5 premierships - 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 and 1910 and were runners-up in 1889, 1891, 1892, 1896, 1913 and 1915. Chilwell won 4 premierships - 1903, 1915, 1922, 1923 and were runners-up in 1878, 1897, 1898, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1910, 1913, 1914, 1925 and 1929.
The club from it’s merger in 1933 took to the field in 1934, it was not until 1936 that they found success to play in it’s first Geelong District Football League Grand Final, they were defeated by a stronger Geelong West.
1937 on 2nd October under Coach, Ralph Lancaster the ‘Combine’ won their first Geelong District Football League Premiership soundly defeating Geelong West by 31 points.
It took 25 years to win another Premiership for the "Combine" in 1962 in both Premierships the name Gross appears, Reg Gross came from Quambatook to Geelong Football Club in 1937 he moved to Newtown & Chilwell and played in that Premiership. Reg’s cousin Earle Gross coached Newtown & Chilwell in 1961 to be Runners-up, in 1962 Earle's son Lindsay played in the 1962 Premiership.
In 1938 the "Combine" once again made it’s way to the Grand but this time were unable to match their previous years success and were defeated by Geelong West.
During the 2nd World War senior football went into recess. Football officials keen to see that clubs would have a sound base to reform after the end of the war formed what was known as the ‘Geelong Boys’ League’. In 1942 under the guidance of the President Mr Al Honey and office-bearers not involved in military services the Newtown & Chilwell Boys’ Club entered the competition. Mr Honey provided his home in Autumn Street as the Club Rooms.
The boy’s initially did not have great success until 1944 when they became Premiers. 1945 the boy’s become the first team since the formation of the Boys’ League 8 years prior to become Premiers & Champions. During that season they kicked according to an article in the Geelong Advertiser 334 goals and 210 behinds and only on one occasion failed to kick a double figure goal score.
Player Joe Martini kicked 163 goals for the season—best score one match was 21 goals.
This team was coached by A A ‘Jock’ Lucas who was named as the Coach of the 1950—1960 Decade Senior Team in 2000 Team of the Century Awards.
The Under 18 Team in 1946 was not quite as successful with the team playing in the Grand Final to be runner’s-up. 1947 saw the Under 18 Team once again take out the Premiership under coach W ‘Bill’ Shelley. It took 17 years for the Senior Team of the Newtown & Chilwell Football Club to once again appear in a Grand Final.
In 1955 under coach A A ‘Jock’ Lucas they were narrowly and controversially defeated by North Geelong. The Under 18’s narrowly defeated C.W.Y.C.W. to take out the 1955 Geelong & District ‘B’ Division Premiership coached by Alan Russell.
In 1956 under coach George Goninon ex-Geelong 1962 Premiership player, played and coached Newtown & Chilwell to come from 4th position on the ladder to play off in the Grand Final against St Mary’s unfortunately he and the club were not rewarded with the Premiership Cup.
After 5 years in 1961 Barwon defeated Newtown & Chilwell, for the next four years Newtown & Chilwell consecutively won the Geelong & District Football League—Evelyn Hurst Premiership Trophy.
1962 and 1963 defeating St Mary’s, 1964 defeating East Geelong and in 1965 once again defeating St Mary’s.
In 1965 the Reserves won their first Premiership in the Jarman Cup against St. Mary's. During these golden years the club was coached in 1962 by Cliff Palmer and the following three premierships by Ron Harris, Ron coached Newtown & Chilwell for 5 years after starting in the Under 18’s in 1946, Ron's son Tony played football during the 70's and his daughter Jan played netball, winning "A" grade best & fairest for Newtown & Chilwell, and in 2006 his grandson Sam Taylor proudly wore the red and black in the Reserve Premiership.
From 1965 until 1977 the Senior section of the club did not have great success, the under 18 and under 14’s during those years did win Premierships to finally lead to the Senior section of the club once again making it to a Grand Final.
Following a drought until 1977 the Senior’s once again found themselves in a Grand Final to lose to North Shore the following year 1978 saw them defeat North Shore by 10 points for the Premiership. During these years the team was coached by Hugh Strahan who also came through the junior ranks, Hugh also went on to play with Geelong.
1981 they were runners-up to North Shore, in 1982 the Premiership Cup was once again back at Elderslie Reserve after soundly defeating St. Peters.
3 years on 1985 they defeated St Albans and 1986 North Shore, 1987 saw them go down to St Albans.
The club from 1981 to 1988 was coached by Kevin Higgins the longest serving coach of Newtown & Chilwell.
It took until 2005 to make it back to a Grand Final but unfortunately unable to defeat a stronger team in South Barwon. Terry Bright lead the club from 2002 until 2006 bringing them from a bottom to the finals during his time as coach. In 2006 the Reserve’s defeated South Barwon to win the Premiership coached by Craig Morrissy.
The Club over the years has had many great coaches who have been rewarded with the success of a Premiership.
Year Coach Captain
1937 Ralph Lancaster Ralph Lancaster
1962 Cliff Palmer Cliff Palmer
1963 Ron Harris Roger Summers
1964 Ron Harris Ken Thompson
1965 Ron Harris Ken Thompson
1978 Hugh Strahan Hugh Strahan
1982 Kevin Higgins Mark Hall
1985 Kevin Higgins Gary Kelly
1986 Kevin Higgins Basil Flynn
When Newtown & Chilwell first moved to Elderslie Reserve in Raith Street, Newtown, Bill Onley was president, the rooms were a very small wood shed with poor facilities. Mr. Onley had Ray Jewell draw up plans (copied from Norlane Football Club) and submitted these to the Council. The Council were reluctant to assist the club in the building of the rooms when Bill Onley, Ron Harris and Don Golding presented them with the plans. At the time Mr. Harriott who was involved with the club and who was also a councilor pressured the council to build the new rooms in 1961.
The Club has had a great deal of success with the Junior development of the club and many have gone on to successful football careers, some at the club and others elsewhere.
Newtown & Chilwell Football Club have maintained the family club theme and that is evident today by the repeat of names coming back through the club.
The Netball has been a great addition to the club in recent years and one of the rewards is the new Netball Courts that now proudly take place at Elderslie Reserve today.
The first Life Member of the combined clubs was Mr. Horrie J. Rich in 1935.
The first female Life Member of the Newtown & Chilwell Football Club was Mrs. Jan Faulkner in 1983, Jan and her family have been involved with the football club for almost 40 years, the club Bar now bears Jan’s late husband Ron’s name the ’Ron Faulkner Bar’. There have been 3 life members from the Faulkner family, (Jan, Ron & daughter Debbie Braddock). Jan’s son Mark played junior football at Newtown & Chilwell, her grandson Nathan Braddock commenced playing under 9 football at the age of 6 in 1991, he played Senior football, his sister Kacey also played junior football and played netball for the club. Mark’s daughter Sophie also played Netball for the club, three generations of active participation and continuing.
Yanek Olsen holds the outstanding record of winning six consecutive club Best & Fairest awards with the Club. Norm Everett, another former player won four consecutive Best & Fairest.
This is a brief extract of a history being currently collected and collated into a book. Information about different era’s of the club would be very welcome.
A great deal of history is no longer at the club, early Presidents, officials, coaches, captains, best & fairest players right through, any help would be appreciated to fill in the gaps.
A continuing draft is available at the club to view and any information you are able to give would be appreciated. Photo’s, newspaper clippings and other information will be scanned and returned.
Draft some notes on events and interesting people from your era to be added any information would be greatly appreciated.
Commenced 2006, Compiled and Printed, By Christine Kelly
Mobile: 0422 306 870 Email: cagakell@bigpond.net.au
Alternatively mail to: "History" Christine Kelly
Newtown & Chilwell Football Netball Club
P.O. Box 956
Geelong. Vic. 3220
Or delivered to the football club rooms and marked "History" and it will be handed to Christine, leave your details for return of any information that you can offer. Thursday nights and home games you will find Christine at the club if you would like to contact her.
