Names | |
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Full name | East Perth Football Club |
Former name(s) | Union Football Club (1902–06) |
Nickname(s) | Royals |
Motto | Regii hodie et heri et cras maneamus |
2011 season | |
Premiership | 7th |
Leading goalkicker | Josh Smith (50 goals) |
Best and fairest | Brendan Lee |
Club details | |
Founded | 1902 |
Colours | Blue and Black |
Competition | West Australian Football League |
Coach | Tony Micale |
Captain(s) | Michael Swan |
Premierships | 17 |
Ground(s) | Leederville Oval (capacity: 18,000) |
Other information | |
Official website | www.eastperthfc.com.au |
Guernsey: |
The East Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Royals, is an Australian rules football club that is a member of the West Australian Football League. The club is based at Leederville Oval.
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The club was actually founded in 1902 as Union Football Club (not to be confused with the defunct Unions club from Fremantle) and competed in the Perth 3rd Rate Association Competition (however an earlier 'East Perth' had formed in 1891). The club was successful and was promoted to the 1st Rate Association. After continuing to succeed at this level they applied to join the WAFL and hence became a member in April 1906. The club became known as East Perth in accordance with the WAFL's policy of having each club represent a district in Perth.
After a relatively slow start - despite being competitive form its first season - East Perth after World War I went on to become one of the most powerful clubs in the West Australian league with the appointment of former Subiaco player Phil Matson as captain-coach. The club won five consecutive WAFL premierships between 1919 and 1923, and after a brief lapse due to Matson’s death in car crash recovered to contest the finals every year from 1931 to 1940, but won only one premiership - a frustrating record to be repeated in the 1970s.
Although the club garnered an undefeated premiership in the under-age WAFL competition in 1944, it was very much a middle-of-the-road side until the emergence of champion ruckman Graham "Polly" Farmer in 1956. That year, despite being held to the lowest WAFL score between 1946 and 2002[1] by Perth in torrential rain and genuine darkness at the WACA,[2] the Royals won fourteen of their nineteen games and beat South Fremantle twice. Under the coaching of Jack Sheedy, and aided by becoming the first WAFL club to play players formally,[3] the club contested the following five grand finals for further premierships in 1958 and 1959 and a huge upset loss to Swan Districts in 1961.
The loss of Farmer, however, saw a decline in fortunes: in 1964 the club won only one of its first eighteen games and finished with its first wooden spoon since 1929, but with the recruitment of Kevin Murray the club returned to the top quickly. It returned to the finals in 1966 and played therein during every one of the next seventeen seasons except 1974. During these years East Perth won 246 and drew one of 388 games for a success rate of 63.5 percent: clearly the highest in a competition that - at least during the first half of the period - was extremely even and characterised by very rapid fluctuations in teams’ fortunes.[4] By 1980, the club had made a submission to enter the VFL/AFL, however this was withdrawn, and from 1983 their fortunes declined abruptly: between 1985 and 1995 East Perth won only eighty and draw one of 235 games for a success rate of 34.26%.[5]
In 1996 the Royals returned to prominence and took the minor premiership before losing narrowly to Claremont in its first grand final since 1978. However, the club returned to the lower reaches of the ladder in 1999, winning only five of twenty games. East Perth later acted as the host club for West Coast Eagles players recruited from interstate from 2000–2001[6] until the host club arrangement was abolished. This made them favoured for high honours in 2000 - which was achieved, though the Royals’ “old guard” made a much larger contribution than expected to the club’s first flag for twenty-two years.[7] It repeated the dose emphatically in 2001, holding South Fremantle to 0.3 (3) after half time, and yet again in 2002, but fell off steadily in the following four seasons to win only six games in 2005. A partial recovery in 2007 saw the Royals finish fourth, but it returned to last in 2008 before again rebounding in 2009 to finish fifth.
Its first home ground was Wellington Square. It then moved to Perth Oval between 1910 and 2002, although it played games at the WACA from 1988–89. East Perth began playing its games at Medibank Private Stadium from 2000 (better known in Perth as Leederville Oval, formerly the home of bitter rivals West Perth), but the club only officially moved there in 2003. They have since been joined at the ground by the Subiaco Football Club.
The 2010 season of home and away matches ended on a high for the Royals, as they defeated minor premiers Clarement in a tense and physical round 23 encounter. The win enabled them to hold their fourth place in the top four, earning a first semi-final appearance against East Fremantle.
After a slow start where East Fremantle lead 7.2-3.2 at quarter time East Perth eventually overran the much more fancied Sharks by 14 points 15.12 (102) to East Fremantle 13.10 (88). West Coast Eagles listed player Ben McKinley lead the charge up forward with 6 goals while Zac Beeck and Zac Clarke dominated the ruck.
A week later East Perth met Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval for the chance to meet the top of the table Claremont in the Grand Final. This time it was East Perth who flew out of the blocks to lead at the first change 5.2 to 3.2 but after that they would manage only 4 goals for the rest of the match as Swans steamrolled their way past a valiant East Perth 15.11 (101) to 9.9 (63). Swan Districts then went on to win the 2010 WAFL Premiership defeating Claremont in one of the great Grand Finals by 1 point at Subiaco Oval 8 days later.
The Reserve grade team went one step further than the Seniors in 2010 going down to Claremont by 12 points 13.6 (84) to 10.12 (72) in the Grand Final.
Craig Wulff was finally rewarded with his first FD Book Medal as the Best & Fairest for season 2010.
As of 3 March 2011:
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East Perth's traditional and most bitter rivals are West Perth Football Club (Previously known as the Cardinals). They have competed in many historic matches (Perth Derbies) including Grand Finals in 1922, 1932, 1960, 1969, 1971 and 2002 when East Perth defeated the Falcons by 60 points to complete a hat-trick of premierships. Ryan Turnbull won the Simpson Medal that day.
The East Perth vs Perth clash has also been referred to as the Perth Derby, made famous due to the famous clashes in the 1960s and 70s, including the famous 1978 grand final. However its significance is somewhat muted compared to the former mentioned fixture. This could be due to Perth's lacklustre performances since the late 70's.
Another newer rivalry is that with co-tenants Subiaco Football Club. Historically, East Perth has never beaten Subiaco since they began sharing the ground in 2004. This was broken in the 2007 season when East Perth came from over forty points behind at half time to win the game by three points. Recent games have become even more bitter with the transfer of players Travis Knights, Caine Hayes and Paul Ridley to Subiaco under controversial circumstances. It should be noted though that off the field the two clubs do have a good working relationship in regards to their ground sharing situation.
WAFL Premierships: (17 total) 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1926, 1927, 1936, 1944,[8] 1956, 1958, 1959, 1972, 1978, 2000, 2001, 2002
Runners-Up: (14 total) 1910, 1918, 1928, 1932, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1976, 1996
WAFL Wooden spoons: (7 total) 1911, 1913, 1929, 1964, 1985, 1989, 2008
Reserves Premierships:[9] (13 total) 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1948, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1967 1976, 1978, 1981, 1983
Colts Premierships:[10] (5 total) 1967, 1975, 1980, 2000, 2006
Fourths Premierships:[11] (2 total) 1965, 1967
Rodriguez Shield: (9 total) 1958, 1959, 1961, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1976, 2000
Sandover Medallists: (18 total) 1923: William 'Digger' Thomas, 1925: George 'Staunch' Owens (1925), 1929: Billy Thomas, 1950: Frank Allen, 1956: Graham Farmer, 1957: Graham Farmer, 1958: Ted Kilmurray, 1960: Graham Farmer, 1969: Malcolm Brown, 1975: Alan Quartermaine ,1976: Peter Spencer, 1978: Phil Kelly, 1979: Phil Kelly), 1983: John Ironmonger, 1984: Peter Spencer, 1988: David Bain, 1997: Brady Anderson, 2001: Ryan Turnbull
Simpson Medallists: (7 total) 1958: Ned Bull, 1959: Graham Farmer, 1972: Ken McAullay, 1978: Ian Miller, 2000: Dean Cox, 2001: Ryan Turnbull, 2002: Ryan Turnbull
Bernie Naylor Medallists: (10 total) 1909: S.Sloss (30), 1924: Hugh Campbell (67), 1926: Hugh Campbell (89), 1927: Hugh Campbell (87), 1944: Alan Watts (101), 1958: William Mose (115), 1959: Neil Hawke (114), 1967: Phil Tierney (119), 1990: Glen Bartlett (69), 2006: Troy Wilson (74)
All Australians: 1956, 1958 & 1961: Graham Farmer, 1966: Kevin Murray, 1966: Keith Doncon, 1972: Mal Brown, 1972: Ken McAullay, 1979: Barry Cable[12]
Tassie Medallists: (3 total) 1937: D.J. 'Mick' Cronin, 1956: Graham Farmer, 1972: Ken McAullay
The F.D. Book Medal is awarded to the club's fairest and best player at the end of each season.
Highest Score: Round 1, 1944 - 41.30 (276) vs. South Fremantle at Perth Oval
Lowest Score: Round 13, 1909 - 0.6 (6) vs. East Fremantle at Fremantle Oval
Greatest Winning Margin: Round 1, 1944 - 256 points vs. South Fremantle at Perth Oval
Greatest Losing Margin: Round 20, 1987 - 169 points vs. Claremont at WACA
Most Games: Derek Chadwick 269 (1959–1972)
Most Goals: Phil Tierney 620 (1962–1972)
Record Home Attendance: Round 9, 1969 - 26,760 vs. West Perth at Perth Oval.
Record Finals Attendance: 1969 Grand Final - 51,385 vs. West Perth at Subiaco Oval.
With the launch of the East Perth history book in mid-2006, an expert panel from the club came up with two "teams of the Century". One pre-war team from 1906–1944, and the other from 1945–2005
Pre-War Team | |||
B: | Wally Fletcher | Harry Sherlock | Alby Western |
HB: | Hugh (Nashy) Brentnall | Ray Star | Archie Herd |
C: | Ike Allen | William 'Digger' Thomas | Jackie Guhl |
HF: | Mick Cronin (c) | Paddy Hebbard | Bert Harrold |
F: | William 'Billy' Thomas | Bonny Campbell | H (Nugget) Gepp |
Foll: | George Owens | Val Sparrow | Larry Duffy |
Int: | Herbie Screaigh | ||
Coach: | Phillip Matson |
Post-War Team | |||
B: | Stephen Curtis | John Watts | Malcolm Atwell |
HB: | Ken McAullay | Ross Glendinning | Jim Washbourne |
C: | Phil Kelly | Syd Jackson | Derek Chadwick |
HF: | Ted Kilmurray | Malcolm Brown | Peter Spencer |
F: | Ron Alexander | Phil Tierney | Keith Doncon |
Foll: | Graham Farmer | Kevin Murray | Jack Sheedy (c) |
Int: | Bradley Smith | Bob Graham | Tom Everett |
Ryan Turnbull | |||
Coach: | Jack Sheedy |
Year | Coach | Captain | Best & Fairest (F. D. Book Medal) |
Leading goalkickers |
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1906 | N/A | |||
1907 | N/A | |||
1908 | N/A | |||
1909 | Jack Savage | |||
1910 | Arthur Hesford | |||
1911 | N/A | |||
1912 | N/A | |||
1913 | N/A | |||
1914 | N/A | |||
1915 | Hedley Tomkins | N/A | ||
1916 | N/A | |||
1917 | N/A | |||
1918 | Phil Matson | Phil Matson | N/A | George Owens (?) |
1919 | Phil Matson | Phil Matson | N/A | |
1920 | Phil Matson | Phil Matson | N/A | George Owens (?) |
1921 | Phil Matson | Phil Matson | N/A | Gus Giese (?) |
1922 | Phil Matson | Phil Matson | N/A | Gus Giese (?) |
1923 | Phil Matson | Phil Matson | N/A | |
1924 | Phil Matson | N/A | Bonny Campbell (67) | |
1925 | N/A | Bonny Campbell (?) | ||
1926 | Phil Matson | "Plum" Duffy | Bonny Campbell (89) | |
1927 | Phil Matson | Jim O'Meara | Bonny Campbell (87) | |
1928 | Phil Matson | Billy Thomas | Bonny Campbell (?) | |
1929 | Val Sparrow | "Plum" Duffy | Billy Thomas | |
1930 | Val Sparrow | Val Sparrow | Albert Davies | |
1931 | Val Sparrow | Val Sparrow | Mick Cronin | Billy Thomas (30) |
1932 | Val Sparrow | Val Sparrow | Herb Screaigh | |
1933 | Herb Screaigh | |||
1934 | Jerry Dolan | Herb Screaigh | ||
1935 | Jerry Dolan | Brian Ryan | ||
1936 | Jerry Dolan | Mick Cronin | Leo Graham | |
1937 | Jerry Dolan | Mick Cronin | Herb Screaigh | |
1938 | Jerry Dolan | Mick Cronin | Ray Starr | |
1939 | Mick Cronin | Mick Cronin | Dave Miller Ritchie Thomas |
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1940 | Herb Screaigh | Mick Cronin | Ritchie Thomas | |
1941 | Mick Cronin | Max O'Loughlin | ||
1942 | Billy Thomas | N/A | ||
1943 | N/A | |||
1944 | N/A | Alan Watts (101) | ||
1945 | Harry Outridge | |||
1946 | Jim Washbourne | |||
1947 | Val Sparrow | Norm Gibney | ||
1948 | Val Sparrow | Frank Sparrow | ||
1949 | Ray Perry | |||
1950 | Frank Allen | |||
1951 | Mick Cronin | Ray Perry | ||
1952 | Mick Cronin | Frank Sparrow | ||
1953 | Mick Cronin | Jim Spencer | ||
1954 | Mick Cronin | Graham Farmer | ||
1955 | Mick Cronin | Graham Farmer | ||
1956 | Jack Sheedy | Jack Sheedy | Graham Farmer | |
1957 | Jack Sheedy | Jack Sheedy | Graham Farmer | |
1958 | Jack Sheedy | Jack Sheedy | Ted Kilmurray | Bill Mose (115) |
1959 | Jack Sheedy | Jack Sheedy | Graham Farmer | Neil Hawke (119) |
1960 | Jack Sheedy | Jack Sheedy | Graham Farmer | |
1961 | Jack Sheedy | Jack Sheedy | Graham Farmer | |
1962 | Jack Sheedy | Don Marinko | ||
1963 | Jack Sheedy | Derek Chadwick | ||
1964 | Jack Sheedy | Derek Chadwick | ||
1965 | Kevin Murray | Kevin Murray | Kevin Murray | Phil Tierney (?) |
1966 | Kevin Murray | Kevin Murray | Syd Jackson | |
1967 | Hans Verstegen | Phil Tierney (119) | ||
1968 | Jim Haines | Phil Tierney (106) | ||
1969 | Jack Sheedy | Mal Brown | Phil Tierney (?) | |
1970 | Mal Brown | Mal Brown | Mal Brown | |
1971 | Mal Brown | Mal Brown | Ken McAullay | Phil Tierney (105) |
1972 | Mal Brown | Mal Brown | Mal Brown | Archie Duda (?) |
1973 | Mal Brown | Mal Brown | Gary Malarkey | Archie Duda (?) |
1974 | Ron Alexander | Archie Duda (?) | ||
1975 | Peter Spencer | |||
1976 | Graham Farmer | Peter Spencer | ||
1977 | Graham Farmer | Stephen Curtis | Archie Duda (?) | |
1978 | Barry Cable | Barry Cable | Kevin Bryant | Archie Duda (?) |
1979 | Barry Cable | Barry Cable | Phil Kelly | |
1980 | Wayne Otway, Sr. | |||
1981 | Dean Turner | |||
1982 | Stephen Curtis | |||
1983 | John Dimmer | Peter Spencer | ||
1984 | Grant Campbell | |||
1985 | Brett Stephens | |||
1986 | Craig Starcevich | |||
1987 | George Giannakis | |||
1988 | David Bain | |||
1989 | George Giannakis | Glen Bartlett (?) | ||
1990 | Lucio Baroni | Glen Bartlett (69) | ||
1991 | Ryan Turnbull | Glen Bartlett (?) | ||
1992 | Stan Magro | Peter Miller | ||
1993 | Stan Magro | Ryan Turnbull | ||
1994 | Dean Talbot | |||
1995 | Greg Jones | Scott Loving (36) | ||
1996 | Peter Miller | Paul Peos | Christopher Gerreyn (74) | |
1997 | Peter Miller | Peter Miller | Scott Loving (56) | |
1998 | Kevin Worthington | Peter Miller | Aaron Marley | Wayne Otway, Jr. (31) |
1999 | Kevin Worthington | Jeremy Barnard | Ryan Turnbull | Jeremy Barnard (21) |
2000 | Tony Micale | Jeremy Barnard | Aaron Marley David Swan Rod Wheatley |
Ashley Hutchinson (51) |
2001 | Tony Micale | Jeremy Barnard | Rod Wheatley | Dean Buszan (51) |
2002 | Tony Micale | Jeremy Barnard& Rod Wheatley |
Paul Ridley | Paul Ridley (54) |
2003 | Andy Lovell | Jeremy Barnard | Brent Cowell | Paul Ridley (71) |
2004 | Andy Lovell | Jeremy Barnard & Ryan Turnbull |
Troy Wilson | Troy Wilson (54) |
2005 | Warren Mahoney | Dean Brennan | Andrew Merrington | Andrew Merrington (51) |
2006 | Warren Mahoney Paul Peos |
Michael Swan | Troy Wilson | Troy Wilson (74) |
2007 | Glen Bewick | Michael Swan | Frank Agostino | Ben McKinley (46) |
2008 | Glen Bewick | Michael Swan | Timothy Noakes | Andrew Merrington (44) |
2009 | Tony Micale | Michael Swan Luke Webster |
Trevor Oliver | Mathew Seal (36) |
2010 | Tony Micale | Craig Glancy Michael Swan Luke Webster |
Craig Wulff | Adam Prior (43) |
2011 | Tony Micale David Hynes |
Michael Swan | TBC | Josh Smith (47) |
East Perth Forever Boys is the theme song of the East Perth Football Club, played as the league team comes to the field at either a home game or final, and after a victory at a home game or final. It is sung to the tune of Anchors Aweigh The lyrics were written by John K. Watts, an ex-player of the club. He was also responsible for the club songs of Swan Districts Football Club and Geelong Football Club. The recording of the song used by the club was performed by Clem Grogan and the Blue Brass. Hobart Football Club also has a song sung to the tune of Anchors Aweigh. Its lyrics are very similar to East Perth Forever Boys.
Merged content from East Perth Forever Boys to here. See Talk:East Perth Forever Boys.
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