1878
For the first time ever, Avoca fielded a school boy's team in 1878.
Clunes and Talbot were also participating in football games against Avoca.
However, the locals were particularly miffed when they were let down by Talbot.
Avoca had agreed to play Clunes at Talbot on 3 August 1878.
Because of the difficulty in transporting a full team, Talbot offered to provide Avoca with several players to make up the numbers.
Much to Avoca's disgust, the Talbot men did not turn up and, according to the Avoca mail, "inferior players were substituted and, despite some grand rushes by the Avoca boys, they failed to score".
The Mail also reported that several players had been hurt whilst playing football:
"While practising on the cricket flat on Saturday, Master George Earl fell over another player and sustained a fractured rib. The injury was purely accidental, we understand, with no rough play being indulged in at the time".
go to 1879
