Fingal District Football Association

The Fingal District Football Association was an Australian rules football association in Fingal Valley, Tasmania from 1884 to 1992.[1]

Fingal District Football Association
Founded 1884
Closed 1992
Previous Names None.
Participating Clubs
Stadiums

Contents

History

The history of the Association can be traced back to the 1880s. The town of Mathinna was thriving through it's gold mining and was able to host three teams that played each regularly. At this time, like most competitions in Australia at the time, the team that won the most games were awarded the premiership.

A game between Fingal and St Marys was recorded in 1884, but regular competition did not get underway until a railway line was completed through the Fingal Valley in 1886. This provided more reliable transport in the valley allowing players and supporters to travel to the games more easily. It became a three team competition when Avoca joined. The Launceston “Examiner” reported on Saturday 9 August 1890 that South Esk, a Launceston based team, had travelled by train to St Marys and played the local side. The game was played in good spirits and South Esk won by seven points.

Records prior to World War One have been hard to find. Only two Premierships have been recorded, from 1891 and 1907. On both occasions Avoca were the premiers. The competition went into recess during World War One, despite the odd game or two being played, and didn't reform again until 1922. Upon reformation, the participating clubs were St Marys, Rovers (Cornwall-Mt Nicholas), Fingal, Avoca and Mathinna. The Association had a two year recess from 1934 to 1935, but reformed again in 1936. The Rovers played a draw with Avoca in the grand final that year, but refused to replay the game the next week. As a result Avoca was awarded the Premiership cup that year. The very next year Avoca benefitted from another forfeit, this time from St Marys who had won the original final only to have the game ordered replayed due to a protest. St Marys had already arranged for a game outside the Association and wanted a delay. When this was refused, they forfeited[2]. The Association remained more of less stable until World War 2, when the competition went into recess once again. The Rovers failed to re-appear once the recess ended in 1945.

In 1945 St Helens, Rossarden and Swansea joined the competition bringing the club numbers to seven. Competition was healthy until the 1960s, when Mathinna started to struggle to get teams on the field. They finally folded in 1968, making way for Campbell Town to join the Association. By this time Rossarden were dominating the competition with players like the Lowe and Hawkins Brothers, Gus O’Boyle, Colin Cruikshank, Garry Tapp and coach Bob Miller. They won seven premierships between 1956 and 1967, with five in a row from 1961 to 1965.

In the more recent years of the Association, the competition was looked after by long time secretary Graham McGee. The players of the era included Bob Bye, Scott Marshall, John Smith, Jack Clements, Les Newman, John Thurley, Steven Salter, Colin Cruickshank, Gus O’Boyle, John and Patrick Cusick, Rob Lowe, Max Davison, Paul Ellis, Norm Barnes and Craig Woods.

The last grand final of the Association was played at St Marys in 1992. St Helens defeated St Marys by 87 points. Campbell Town decided to enter the Northern Tasmanian Football Association leaving only four teams in the competition; St Marys, Fingal, St Helens and Swansea. Rossarden had folded after the 1972 season and Avoca had folded after winning the premiership in 1989. It was decided that a four team competition was no viable. Swansea headed for the Tasman Football Association, while St Helens went into the North East Association. St Marys and Fingal were forced to join Campbell Town in the NTFA.

Seniors

Premiers

Spurr shield

(St Marys won the first grand final but the game was ended with ten minutes to go. Fingal protested and the Fingal F.A. determined that the game had to be replayed and it took place two weeks after)

Best and Fairest

Best and fairest in the seniors was presented the Athol “Curly” Ellis Memorial Trophy

Reserves

Premiers

Best and Fairest

Thirds

Premiers

References

  1. ^ Fingal Valley History. "Fingal District Football Association". http://www.fingalvalleyhistory.com/Ausie%20Rules.htm. Retrieved 30 March 2011. 
  2. ^ Hobart Mercury October 1937