Although the war was not over, it was moving further from Australian shores.
Back home, young men were anxious to pull on their football boots and, in 1944, competition football was resurrected with the formation of the “Patriotic Football Club” at Avoca.
The Office Bearers were:
President: George Jolly
Vice-President: Les Pora
Secretary: Ron French
Treasurer: Ron French
Selectors: George Jolly, Jack Groves, Ron French, Tony Jolly.
Gate Keepers: Alf Redpath, Charlie Brown, E.J. Hellings
Boundary Umpire: Reg Harrison
The players list had plenty of new faces from Avoca and Amphitheatre, and many of the surnames were familiar with past glories.
Jack Groves (Captain & Coach), Tony Jolly (Vice-Captain), Laurie Barker, Errol Howell, George Jolly, Danny Blair, Eric Richards, Ron French, Bruce Harrison, Les and Gordon Beavis, Sam Drummond, Alan Pitcher, Ron Driscoll, Pat, George, Joe and Sam Wardlaw, Charles and Frank Impey, Edward Day, Kevin and Pat Lindsay, Clive Dellar, Arthur Stuart, Des Meagher, Geoff Chapman, Laurie French, Les Pora, Alan Field, Malcolm and Keith Ford, Clarrie Barry, Les Morris, Ivan Redpath, Jack Beddoe, Jack Gee, D.J. Murphy, Doug Varty, Mel Morley, Ron Anderson, M Johnson, R Dridan, Norm Field, Stan Beavis, George Harrison, and Clem Hill.
On Saturday 17th June 1944, an article in the Avoca Free Press reported on the new team’s prospects.
“Tony Jolly, who was one of the most consistent men up to the time when the game was abandoned, should be able to give newcomers some useful hints.
Former leading footballer, Laurie Barker, is prepared to help make up a side, but, like former captain and champion Errol Howell, and President George Jolly, he does not want to stand in the way of younger players.
Tuesday night’s meeting however, agreed that a sprinkling of more experienced men would tend to give the juniors a lead.
At this year’s Easter carnival at Stawell, Dan Blair won the half mile race, and his success as a long distance runner makes it appear that he will be a good stayer on the football field.
Eric Richards and Ron French, who ran second and third to Blair, also come under the same category.
Bruce Harrison, the grocer boy employed by L.G. Barker, comes from a footballing family. His Father, Hec Harrison was one of Avoca’s cleverest players. A few years ago, the Harrison’s of Waubra could muster a team of their own.
Two other lads who are following in the footsteps of their father are Les and Gordon Beavis, sons of George Beavis, who was a hard man to beat in his day and could mix it with the best of them.
All who have seen Goldy Drummond on the football field will remember his solid work in the ruck. His bumps were hard but fair, and many a match he has helped win for Avoca. Goldy’s son, Sam Drummond, is a fine lump of a lad, and no one is keener to have a game.
At the park last weekend, Sam and a few of his cobbers were having a kick, and young Drummond’s performance was very impressive.
No doubt in a few years time, he will rank amongst our leading footballers, and when Drummond senior is able to return home from Germany, where he is a prisoner of war he will get a kick out of watching his son carry on the old tradition.
Alan Pitcher has never played before, but is willing to have a try. His brother Peter, now of the AIF was a tough customer and as game as Ned Kelly, and Alan will probably be the same. If he is as good at football as he is on horseback, he’ll do.
Pat, George, Joe and Sam Wardlaw are also likely material that has never been tried out. All wiry, hard working lads, and it will be very surprising if they do not make the grade.
The Impey Brothers, Buller and Frank (known as Mick), are anxious to be in it and as ruckmen will be able to toss their weight around.
Kevin, Pat and Brian Lindsay should be hard nuts to crack. These boys, like some of the others mentioned are new to the game, but will no doubt soon pick up what has to be learned. Pat proved this by his exhibition of steer riding at local carnivals.
Les Pora of foot running fame looks like being a slick, cool-headed man on the ball and an aerial artist, who will be hard to beat.
Alan Field is also a solid stamp, who is anxious to have a try out.”
Interestingly, whilst some of those mentioned in that report did not develop as proficient footballers, most became staunch supporters of the club, whilst others are remembered as some of Avoca’s best footballers.
Although the seniors stole the limelight, some interesting names appear in the junior team which included:
Laurie Barker (Captain), Ivan Redpath )Vice-Capt), Jack Hardy, Noel Jess, Fred Burns, Peter King, Max Trainer, Fred Barker, Kevin Trainor, Neil Youren, Doug Romey, Charlie Crowley, Alan O’Shea, Len Studd, Don Studd, John Schmidt, and Ron Diamond.
Go to 1945
