Having been out of action for 13 years, former players, coaches, umpires, officials and any other followers of the Lexton League will join together once again for a reunion at Avoca Football Club.
LFL committee person Jack Bibby and ex-Waubra player Alistair Fisher got things rolling when they spoke over the phone about getting all former members of the league together again.
The Lexton League existed from 1945 through to 1998 when it merged with the Western Plains League to make the now defunct Lexton Plains League.
In that time the LFL had 18 teams compete, with Navarre (14 flags), Lexton (13), Waubra (eight) and Avoca (seven) the most successful. A number of those teams have since folded including Moonambel, Amphitheatre, Raglan, Langi Kal Kal, Marnoo, Landsborough, Redbank-Stuart Mill and Elmhurst.
At the peak of its success the Lexton League had 11 teams competing in 1946 and at the end of its era had just seven teams fighting it out.
A number of quality footballers have come and gone from teams within the league. These include Navarre players Vin Williams (Fitzroy), Frank Driscoll (Essendon), Tony Beck (St Kilda), Gerry Brennan (South Melb) and Henry Gunstone (South Melb), Landsborough stars John Aston, Terry Amarant (Hawthorn), Wayne Ellis (St Kilda) and Peter Amarant (Haw), Avoca's 'Ghost' Jim Jess (Richmond), Marnoo ruckman Russell 'Rusty' Ellen (Ess), and Beaufort onballer David Norman (Collingwood), as well as many others.
In recent years the LFL has seen Navarre's Tim Notting (Brisbane Lions) and Lexton's Darren Jolley (Mel/Syd/Coll) go on to play in two AFL premierships, proving the league was a good stepping stone to the elite level.
All past players, coaches and officials are invited to the reunion on Sunday, May 22, starting at 11am. Jack Bibby said they are hoping to get as many people there as possible.
"Everyone is invited, that includes players, coaches, officials and even umpires who have umpired matches, as well as anyone who has followed the Lexton League over the years," Bibby said.
"We are also trying to get a guest speaker, so maybe an ex-player or even an umpire would like to do that. We are still looking over everything.
"People can bring along any memorabilia from over the years too if they like."
On the day participants will register as they enter with a name tag stating their team, name and the year they played. A barbecue and bar will be available to all at their own expense.
Committee members have a meeting this Sunday at Avoca, which is open to everyone, aiming to tie up any loose ends in readiness for the exciting reunion in May. For further information contact Jack Bibby on 5357 4240.