The Early Years 1964-1969
PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1964
Pines Football Club began in 1964 as an arm of the then Pines Sports Association which was formed in summer of 1963/64 to cater for the sporting needs of the people of the Pines Forest Housing Estate. The Association organised teams in cricket, football, darts, soccer, basketball, calisthenics, boxing and ladies hockey and softball. Foundation members of the association were- Messrs T.Burt, K.Tuck, J.Hinde, V.Trotter, A.Vines, J.Thrower, N.Mayne, M.Daniels, M.McInerney, T.Reynolds and S.Goldsmith. Inaugural office bearers of the football club were Tom Burt (president), Kevin Tuck (secretary), John Hinde (treasurer), and Pat Nolan (Coach) who came to us from Seaford. Conditions were rather spartan for the one senior team and the under 17 team in 1964 with no wins to the seniors credit, no clubrooms and playing on an oval that once was a swamp. Match days would see club members erect tents for the players change-rooms and a refreshment booth where hot water was prepared on camp stoves by the ladies committee for cups of tea and hot dogs. Wood fired “coppers” supplied hot water for the players ablutions with even a bath being dragged in at times. Pines joined the Nepean FL which had started in 1959 and had clubs that had been operating on the peninsula for many years. This league was formed for the clubs that were not in the MPFL when the B grade of that league was dissolved at the end of 1958. Pines first game was certainly a baptism of fire when we played Crib Point who beat us by 201 pts although we did manage one goal kicked by Kevin Whyte. Ironically Crib would be the last team that Pines would ever play in the NFL and that was the 1983 grand final. We did not have any senior wins in 1964 and our highest score was 6.7-43 v Dromana. There was no reserves competition in this year and although we did have an under 17 team not a lot is known of it. Some known thirds were John Pearce, Phil Curran, Peter Isheev, D.Nowill and D.Hodgson. Forty five seniors were used during this season and although some were experienced and came to us from other clubs, there were many who had never played much footy and came along just for a game or two after moving in to new housing in the area. Pat Nolan was to coach in this year only although he did continue on as a player in the next season. Trevor Cowan was our first senior best and fairest winner with Billy Thompson second. Barry “Happy” Dyer played the most games for the season and received the most determined trophy. We would in later years see Barry coach some of our junior teams to premierships. Councillor Mr Eric Bell, after who the ground is named, and former Seaford coach Dick Avery presented trophies on presentation night. Other awards went to Alan Abraham (snrs most improved) and Peter Williams (snrs leading goalkicker). Best clubman was Ted Hammond. Other 1964 teams were Army, Bonbeach, Bruce Park, Crib Point, Dromana, Langwarrin, Navy, Pearcedale, Rosebud, Rye and Somerville. Pines would finish on the bottom of the ladder in 1964 but there would be many great years ahead.
Most senior games (15). B.Dyer, P.Williams.
Highest known one game senior goals (3). P.Williams v Dromana, Langwarrin, S’ville.
Seniors highest score; 6.7-43 lost to Dromana.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1965
There would now be some improvement with the seniors winning two games and drawing one for the season. The reserves competition had now commenced in the Nepean FL and we again fielded an under 17 team. Pines fielded a total of 65 players through the two senior grade teams which would have included a number of thirds players who were called on to play on the day. Former Collingwood player Jack Sales took on the coaching role and even at the age of 41 did play some games. Jack had come to us from Langwarrin and he had also played at Frankston. The new club rooms were opened in 1965 which was mainly bought into happening by councillor Mr Eric Bell who was invaluable to the club as he would often sit in on many meetings giving valuable advice and assistance. The oval would later be named the Eric Bell Reserve in his honour. Club meetings, prior to the rooms being opened, had been held in a council gardeners shed at the ground and at times in a members kitchen or lounge room. The official league goal tally sheets show that Lyle Ainslie booted 26 goals out of our 110 for the year which was a vast improvement on 1964 when we kicked a team total of only 41. Robert Fairless was best player in our reserves, Peter Isheev won the thirds trophy and Trevor Cowan won his second award for the senior team. The highest Pines score kicked in 1965 was 10.18-78 when we defeated Langwarrin in round 11. We had drawn a game in round 5 v Rosebud and we had a win over Bruce Park in round 10. These however were our only victories for the year. Pines finished tenth for the season but were not last on the ladder as this spot went to Rosebud. Other teams in the 1965 NFL competition were Bonbeach, Bruce Park, Crib Point, Dromana, Langwarrin, Navy, Pearcedale, Rosebud, Rye and Somerville. Tom Burt, Kevin Tuck and John Hinde again headed the club administration and it is noticed that young players from the 1964 thirds team were amongst the seniors trophy winners at years end. Phil Curran (most promising) and John Pearce (most improved) were amongst the seniors awards. This would certainly be the basis of future senior teams. Presentation night and a dinner dance were held at the Frankston Hotel and guests included Cr. and Mrs Eric Bell, NFL president Mr D.Nesbitt and Mrs Nesbitt. Other awards in this year were Gary Clements (snr b&f runner up), and in the reserves Vern Trotter (most consistent), Graeme McDuff (most improved) and John Auty (leading goalkicker) who was also the reserves coach. Other thirds trophies went to Peter McCue (most consistent), G.Weaver (most determined), John Feeney (most improved), A.Toomey (most promising) and Colin Moorhouse (leading goalkicker). The best clubman award went to Stan Goldsmith. Mrs Haig, ladies auxiliary president, presented a cheque for $200 to Tom Burt who thanked the ladies for their work during the year.
Most senior games (14). T.Cowan, B.Thompson.
Most reserves games (14).J.Auty, J.Connell, B.Dyer, M.Lea, K.Wall.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest known one game senior goals (3). L.Ainslie v Rye, Bonbeach, Somerville.
Highest one game reserves, thirds goals-unknown.
Seniors highest score; Rd 11, 10.18-78 d Langwarrin by 10 pts.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1966
Fred Webster was appointed playing coach and he brought with him a great deal of experience of which he had acquired as a Melbourne VFL player and as captain whilst with Sandringham VFA. His deeds at Sandringham would in later years see him named as that clubs captain of their team of the century. Fred was 31 when he came to us and he would go on to play 115 club games and kick 78 known senior goals from 1966 to 1973. He won the Nepean FL Best & Fairest in this his first year and he would repeat the effort in 1967. He only once accepted a club senior best & fairest trophy (1970). He may have been worthy of that trophy in earlier years but ruled himself ineligible as it was his belief that a playing coach should not be entitled to the award. Fred, along with Frank Spencer were selected to play in a winning NFL team v MPFL. Max Hanna, a former Edi Asp player won the senior best & fairest in 1966, Vern Trotter was the reserves best & fairest and Neville Clements was likewise for our thirds. An NFL fourths grade competition had opened in 1966 but Pines did not field a team. Our seniors now progressed to 5 wins for the season with our highest score being 14.21-105 defeating Bonbeach and our total annual goals now climbed to 137 of which Lyle Ainslie was the highest with 27. Barry Moore, who in later years would become a club legend, played his first senior games in this year. Visitors to the Pines rooms will notice that the social rooms are named in his honour. The ten teams in the Nepean FL were unchanged from 1965 and Pines finished seventh on the list. The football team still operated under the auspices of the Pines Sports Associaton and successes in other sports handled were coming to the fore including our senior cricket team being promoted to the District grade after only two years of playing Presentation night seen other awards go to thirds players D.Richards (most consistent), John Feeny (most determined), D.Stevens (most improved), Bob Verity (best team-man) and Hank Bos (most promising). Stan Goldsmith would again win the best clubman trophy and Geoff Dyer became the first player to play 50 club games. The Ladies Auxiliary is noted to have had a busy but successful year holding street stall sales, a Christmas hamper raffle and even a ‘table-setting’ competition at Edments (Jewellers). They raised a total of $1052, quite a substantial sum.
Most senior games (18). P.Curran, M.Hanna, F.Webster.
Most reserves games (11). J.Auty.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest known one game senior goals (4). L.Ainsley v S’ville, Pearcedale, Bonbeach.
Highest one game reserves, thirds goals-unknown.
Seniors highest score; Rd 18, 14.21-105 d Bonbeach by 44 pts.
Interleague; F.Spencer, F.Webster.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1967
Fred Webster again led the club as captain coach and he would again take out the league best & fairest award although it would be Trevor Cowan who would receive the club trophy for the third time. The reserves award went to John Auty (coach) and David Mason was judged best player in our fourths. Details of the thirds in 1965 are unknown apart from Brian Shaw being the coach. Although our fourths (under 15) were a new team in the competition they did win through to the grand final only to be beaten by 3 pts by Bonbeach on the last kick of the day. Coach Vern Trotter still laments that day but he would have better times ahead. Some other teams that Pines played were Langwarrin, Mt Eliza, Rosebud and Tootgarook. The team listed many young lads who would in later years become champions in our senior teams. Two brothers, Alan and John Lillico, who had simply wandered into the club early in the season, were signed up after enjoying a pie night at the home of Vern and June Trotter. John once quipped “If it hadn’t of been for the pies we may never have played for Pines”. Our seniors highest score of 23.17-155 and biggest win for the season was against Mt Eliza who were playing in their first senior year. Rather oddly the Mounties went into the MPFL in the next year. It is said that this was to even up the number of teams in that comp. A dutiful ladies auxiliary once again worked tirelessly throughout the year and at seasons end Mrs Betty Mayne presented Tom Burt with a cheque for $400. Our senior team finished seventh with 10 wins in a list of eleven teams. 191 goals were kicked for the season, an increase of 60 on the previous year. A big win in this season was against the Navy team on the depot ground at HMAS Cerebus. The result was only 5 pts in our favour at the final siren but it was a very determined win against what was publicly described as a fitter and faster Navy team who were forecast to be the potential winners. Our 1967 fourths would be the very first Pines team to appear in a NFL grand final so it’s only fair that we list the players. W.Saunders, I.Mallett, D.Pratt, M.Seeckts, D.Mason, J.Kirby, G.Shone, D.Gibb, I.Thompson, P.Sadler, R.Attwood, M.Burt, A.Gilbert, A.Cridland, Phil Mayne, J.Menzies, I.Lamont, A.Lillico, J.Lillico, G.Abblitt, G.Cogan, Peter Mayne, N.Crabtree. Coach, as mentioned, was Vern Trotter and team manager was Colin Beasley. The fourths presentation night was held at the Trotter home and trophy winners were D.Mason (best and fairest), G.Shone (most consistent), I.Lamont (most determined), A.Lillico (best trier), M.Seeckts (coaches trophy), D.Mason (best in finals) and J.Kirby (leading goalkicker). The senior presentation night was once again at the Frankston Hotel where other trophy winners were seniors K.Butlin (runner up b&f), G.Clements (most consistent), A.Hill (most determined), J.Speed (most improved), J.Brown (best team-man), R.Roberts (most promising) and B.Lewis (coaches trophy). Reserves, S.Goldsmith (most consistent), I.Connell (most improved), R.Wilks (best team-man) and N.Gay (most promising and leading goalkicker). Best clubman was once again S.Goldsmith and M.Hanna received an outstanding services award.
Most snr games (18). G.Clements, N.Clements, T.Cowan, M.Hanna, A.Hill, F.Webster.
Most reserves games (18). R.Wilks.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest known one game senior goals (8). N.Clements v Mt Eliza.
Seniors highest score; Rd 13, 23.17-155 d Mt Eliza by 145 pts
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1968
There was not a lot of improvement in this season for the senior grade teams and it would be the fourths, coached once again by Vern Trotter, who would fly the flag for us, winning the first ever premiership for the club. Their win was against Rosebud who they defeated by 16 pts. They were undefeated for the season and finished with 304 goals kicked with only 43 kicked against them. Fred Webster once again led the senior team, Syd Thomas was reserves captain coach, Barry Dyer coached the thirds. Our senior team once again finished seventh in a field of ten after winning eight games. The senior teams totalled 70 players between them and although there was plenty of depth, the seniors were still just a middle of the order team with the reserves finishing last. Trevor Cowan again was senior best and fairest, his fourth award for same and he was runner up league B&F followed by Fred Webster in third place. Fourths captain Joe Kirby won that grades league B&F. It was in this year that Syd Thomas penned the words to our famous club song. The role of president was now with Stan Goldsmith along with Alan Vines (secretary) and Ken Bartholomew (treasurer). This was the first change of committee leadership since 1964. Nothing is known of our 1968 thirds and although they finished last there would be brighter days ahead for them. A strong family influence was now becoming evident in the club and one of the largest at this time were the Gay brothers. Arthur, Lyle (Butch) and Noel were regulars in our senior team and then was Robin and Shane in later years. Noel won the reserves goalkicking in 1968 and would in forthcoming years win a reserves B&F and be reserves team coach. A total of 159 goals was kicked by our seniors with Trevor Cowan claiming 36 of these. Our highest score for the season was 14.13-97 when we defeated Dromana, our first win ever against them. The NFL teams were still the same and it would be in this year that Crib Point would win their third consecutive flag. Pines had yet to win a game against this strong team and it would be a few years yet before we did so. They were the only team at this time that Pines had not beaten. Our fourths premiership team was J.Kirby, E.Ferris, W.Borzatti, D.Mack, G.Seeckts, C.Moorhouse, A.Cridland, G.Abblitt, M.Henson, R.Cranch, T.Welling, P.Sadler, P.Abbott, D.Shade, S.Hodgkinson, I.Busby, L.Herrick, D.Dornbusch, L.Dornbusch G.Jones, P.Mayne. Coach, as mentioned, was Vern Trotter and team manager was former Seaford player Ken Boyack. Ken had played in the 1954 Seaford reserves flag team and played senior games for Pines in 1964. There can be no doubt that the under 15 lads were certainly in good hands. Very little is known of other trophy winners for 1968 except that J.Brown was voted best clubman. Gary Clements became the first player to play 50 senior games and Rob Fairless the first with 50 reserves games.
Most senior games (18). G.Clements, T.Cowan, P.Curran, A.Hill, D.Mason, J.Pearce.
Most reserves games (14). R.Fairless.
Most thirds games-unknown.
Highest one game senior goals (4). K.Butlin v Navy. T.Cowan v Bonbeach, Dromana, S’ville, P’dale, Rye. A.Gay v P’dale. B.Moore v Rosebud. F.Webster v Dromana.
Highest one game reserves, thirds, fourths goals-unknown.
Seniors highest score; Rd 4, 14.13-97 d Dromana by 43 pts.
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PINES FOOTBALL CLUB 1969
Tom Burt returned as president along with Alan Vines (secretary) and Ken Jones (treasurer). Fred Webster continued as senior captain coach, Brian Jenkins, likewise with the reserves, Barry Dyer coached our thirds and Frank Maloney the fourths, who would once win the under 15 premiership. This time the win was against Tootgarook, by 14 pts. Our junior teams of these years were certainly putting Pines FC on the map and there were a lot of local lads vying for a game. Pines (NFL), Seaford (MPFL) and Frankston (VFA) were really the only local central clubs in these days with Bonbeach and Langwarrin being the next closest although Karingal had now commenced in the NFL. Our seniors slipped back a rung on the ladder, finishing eighth out of twelve with eight wins. The two new teams were Karingal and Red Hill, who had been in closure for a number of years. Our best effort for the year was against Red Hill when we kicked 18.16-124 and won by 46 pts A highlight of the year was Mark Seeckts winning the NFL thirds B&F and his brother Geoff being the league fourths leading goalkicker. Club senior best and fairest was Bob Reilly, reserves went Noel Gay and fourths best player was Stuart Dennis. Thirds trophy winners are unknown and although the team finished in sixth there were signs of improvement. Arthur Gay was the, as known, leading senior goalkicker with the team managing only 152 for the season. David Mason kicked 6 goals v Navy in round 4 which was the best effort since Neville Clements booted 8 v Mt Eliza in 1967. These details, and many others, are based on the only data available for these early years and this would be the trend right through until 1980. The weekly newspapers gave very little coverage to the NFL and the few footy records of the day did not seem to worry too much about goalkickers etc. It is not known how stringent the rules were for clubs to supply information to the league but it must not have been too strict as there are many details missing for many clubs as well as Pines. Once again we will show the fourths premiership team; P.Abbott, R.Ward, D.Dornbusch, S.Russell, G.McDonald, P.Watson, G.Dahl, P.Mayne, G.Seeckts, D.Saunders, S.Dennis, R.Svigos, B.Boyack, P.Jakabenko, P.Tickell, L.Dornbusch, T.Andrew, R.Dawes, D.Goodman. Frank Maloney, as mentioned was coach and Peter McDonald, team manager. This year would see the first actual football club life membership being granted to Stan Goldsmith who apart from being a 58 club game player, was also a tireless club worker, president in 1968 and was best clubman thrice. Two Pines Sports Association life memberships, Tom Burt and John Hinde had been given at the beginning of 1968 but oddly these are not registered as football club awards. The only other known trophy winners for this year were in the fourths with P.Abbott (b&f runner up) and G.Seeckts (leading goalkicker). Jim Wells was named best clubman. Ian Connell, Alex Hill and Bob Reilly all reached 50 senior games. There was a somewhat rare event in round 13 when Tom Burt and his 16 yo old son Martin combined in the same senior team.
Most senior games (18). P.Curran, A.O’Neill, F.Webster.
Most reserves games (16). N.Gay.
Most thirds games (18). J.Kirby, C.Moorhouse, M.Seeckts.
Most fourths games (18). G.Seeckts.
Highest known one game senior goals (6). D.Mason v Navy.
Highest one game reserves, thirds, fourths goals-unknown.
Seniors highest score; Rd 16, 18.16-124 d Red Hill by 46 pts.
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By Paul Williams SNR