Federal Football League

The Federal Football League was an Australian rules football competition in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, that was in existence from 1909 to 1981. It was regarded as one of the strongest metropolitan leagues in Melbourne and in the 1960s[1] and it is said that Channel Seven were seeking to telecast league games on a Sunday.[2]

Federal Football League
FormerlyFederal Football Association
SportAustralian rules football
Founded1909
Ceased1981; 43 years ago (1981)
CountryAustralia
Most titlesMoorabbin (12)

Formation edit

Formed in 1909[3] as the Federal Football Association,[4] the competition's eight founding members were Cheltenham, Ellindale, Elsternwick, Frankston, Mentone, Mordialloc, Moorabbin, and Glen Huntly,[5] all from the southern/south eastern suburbs.[6]

Local Councillor F. T. Le Page was elected president.[7]

History edit

In 1915, the Federal football Association (FFA) A. Grade teams were - Brighton District, Moorabbin, Cheltenham, Moorabbin Park, Oakleigh and Elsternwick, whilst the B. Grade clubs were Sandringham, Mentone, Heatherton and Glenhuntly.[8]

In 1925, the FFA comprised 10 senior and 9 junior club's and had over 1,000 registered players.[9]

In 1933, J Nolan kicked 116 goals for the Caulfield.[10]

In 1937 the A Section competition teams were composed of - Black Rock, Mordialloc, Cheltenham, East Burwood, Moorabbin, Caulfield, Darling and Mentone, and in the B section, Chelsea, Highett, Mt. Waverley, Mordialloc, Black Rock and Edithvale-Aspendale.[11]

Middle Brighton FC kicked 50.40 - 340 v Heatherton: 0.0 - 0 in a match in 1914.

Clubs edit

Colours Club Nickname Location Years in competition Notes
 
Bentleigh Football Club Demons Bentleigh, Victoria 1957–1978 Merged with McKinnon to form the new Moorabbin FC in 1979
 
Black Rock Football Club Jets Black Rock, Victoria 1913-14, 1919–1926, 1931–1972 in recess 1973, reformed in 1980
Brighton Districts Football Club Brighton, Victoria 1915, 1919-21 Joined the Victorian Junior Football Association in 1922[12]
Camden Football Club Caulfield, Victoria 1939–1956 Merged with South Caulfield CYMS to form South Caulfield
 
Carrum Football Club Lions Carrum, Victoria 1911, 1913-1914, 1922–1927 In recess from 1928-31. Joined the Peninsula District FA in 1932
Caulfield Football Club Caulfield, Victoria 1914, 1930–1970 changed name to East Caulfield
 
Chelsea Football Club Seagulls Chelsea, Victoria 1919–1958 Joined the Mornington Peninsula FL in 1959
 
Cheltenham Football Club Rosellas Cheltenham, Victoria 1909–1928, 1930–1981 Transferred to South East Suburban FL in 1982
 
Clayton Football Club Clays Clayton, Victoria 1954–1981 Transferred to South East Suburban FL in 1982
 
Dandenong Football Club Redlegs Dandenong, Victoria 1951–1957 Moved to the Victoria Football Association in 1958
Darling Football Club East Malvern, Victoria 1934–1940 Did not reform after the World War II
 
Doveton Football Club Doves Doveton, Victoria 1972–1976 Returned to the South West Gippsland FL in 1977
 
East Burwood Football Club Rams Burwood East, Victoria 1931–1938 moved to Eastern Suburbs FL in 1939
East Caulfield Football Club East Caulfield, Victoria 1971–1976 Caulfield (Federal) changed name to avoid confusion with Caulfield VFA
East Malvern Football Club East Malvern, Victoria 1962–1973 Folded in early 1974 due to lack of off field support.
Ellindale Football Club McKinnon, Victoria 1909–1910, 1912 In recess by time of World War I
Glen Orme Football Club[13] Victoria 1946 - 1948 ?
Glen Huntly Football Club Hunters Glen Huntly, Victoria 1960–1976 In recess in 1977
Hampton Football Club Hampton, Victoria 1920[14] Joined the Metropolitan Amateurs Football Association in 1921.[15]
 
Heatherton Football Club Tonners Heatherton, Victoria 1913-14,[16] 1920–1921, 1927–1928, 1946–1952 Played as Freighters from 1951. Went into recess in 1952
 
Highett Football Club Bulldogs Highett, Victoria 1934–1981 Transferred to South East Suburban FL in 1982
McKinnon Football Club McKinnon, Victoria 1954–1977 In recess '78, merged with Bentleigh to form Moorabbin FC (Mark II) in '79
 
Mentone Football Club Tigers Mentone, Victoria 1909, 1913-1914, 1920–1981 Transferred to South East Suburban FL in 1982
Middle Brighton Football Club Brighton, Victoria 1913 & 14[17] red & white colors. In 1915 changed their name to Brighton Districts FC[18]
 
Moorabbin Football Club Kangaroos Moorabbin, Victoria 1909–1950, 1979-1981 Joined the Victoria Football Association in 1951. Returned in 1979
Moorabbin Park Football Club[19] Moorabbin, Victoria 1913-1915 Withdrew in July, 1915 due to WWI[20]
 
Mordialloc Football Club Bloodhounds Mordialloc, Victoria 1909–1911, 1921–1957 Moved to the Victoria Football Association in 1958
 
Noble Park Football Club Bulls Noble Park, Victoria 1964–1981 Transferred to South East Suburban FL in 1982
 
Oakleigh District Football Club Districts Oakleigh, Victoria 1964–1981 Transferred to South East Suburban FL in 1982
Parkdale Football Club Seagulls Parkdale, Victoria 1955–1981 Transferred to South East Suburban FL in 1982
South Caulfield Football Club South Caulfield, Victoria 1957–1961 Merged with Brighton in the Victoria Football Association in 1962
 
Springvale Football Club Demons Springvale, Victoria 1957–1981 Moved to the Victoria Football Association in 1982
 
Vermont Football Club Eagles Vermont, Victoria 1936 Joined the East Suburban Football League in 1937.
Victoria Brewery Football Club Caulfield, Victoria 1910–1912 Left the FFA after the 1913 FFA - AGM[21]

A. Grade Football Premiers / Runners Up edit

The Agar Wynne Shield. The Honourable Agar Wynne, MHR was the Federal Football Association's Patron from 1909 to 1915.[22]

Best and Fairest Awards edit

Senior Football / A. Grade Section[50]

Cr. J.W. ALLNUT MEDAL. (Allnut was President of the FFA from 1936 to 1945 & a life member).

Year Player's Name Club Votes Year Player's Name Club Votes
1927 P Gleeson Chelsea 1952 C. Mudge Mentone
1928 P Gleeson Chelsea 1953 A. Beckwith Mentone
1929 Les Warren & Chelsea 1954 [51] G March Camden 22
W Hughes Mordialloc 1955 R Goodes Parkdale
1930 Les Warren Chelsea 1956 George Ashman Mordialloc
1931 A Perry Black Rock 1957 Kevin Phillips Chelsea
1932 B.Kavanagh Mordialloc 1958 Kevan Hamilton McKinnon
1933 J Ash & Caulfield 1959 K Roberts Cheltenham
I Corry Cheltenham 1960 I Gardner Springvale
1934 V Hunter East Burwood 1961 Kevan Hamilton McKinnon
1935 E Roff East Burwood 1962 Kevan Hamilton McKinnon
1936 E Martin East Burwood 1963 Kevan Hamilton McKinnon
1937[52] J Mitchell Mentone 1964 K Hamilton McKinnon
1938[53] P Witchell Black Rock 21 1965 G Gotch Glenhuntly
1939 K Dunn Mentone 1966 W Morrison Highett
1940 E.McInerny Moorabbin 1967 J Ward Black Rock
1941[54] Laurie Kelly Camden 1968 I House Caulfield
1942 In recess. WW2 1969 C Hutchins East Malvern
1943 In recess. WW2 1970 K Ellis Glenhuntly
1944 In recess. WW2 1971 J Calleja Bentleigh
1945 R.Hocking Camden 1972 D. McGrath Noble Park
1946 D.Fankhauser Mordialloc 1973 F.Clifford Doveton
1947 C.Mudge & Mordialloc 1974 G.Skinner Parkdale
Alf Evans Chelsea 1975 R.Johnston McKinnon
1948 C.Coade & Glen Orme 1976 A.Sierowkoski Mentone
G.Daley & Heatherton 1977 L.Studham Noble Park
C.Mudge Mordialloc 1978 T.Quinn Bentleigh
1949 R.Fox Moorabbin 1979 S.Watt Noble Park
1950 C.Dawson Caulfield 1980 D.Brooks Noble Park
1951 C.Mudge Mentone 1981 T.Quinn Moorabbin

References edit

  1. ^ "Federal League: Its Value to the Game". The Age. 24 April 1936. p. 9. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  2. ^ "Cheltenham Football Club hosts reunion of Federal league". Moorabbin Glen Eira Leader. Herald Sun. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Cheltenham". Brighton Southern Cross. Victoria. 6 February 1909. p. 4. Retrieved 4 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "1909 - Federal Association". Mornington and Dromana Standard (Vic). 27 March 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Position of the Clubs". Mornington and Dromana Standard (Morning. ed.). Victoria. 31 July 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Events in the Past: The Federal Football League Launched in 1909". City of Kingston. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Federal Association". Mornington and Dromana Standard (Morning. ed.). Victoria. 27 March 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "1915 - Football". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 3 April 1915. p. 3. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  9. ^ "1925 - Federal football". Sporting Globe. 8 August 1925. p. 6. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  10. ^ "1933 - Caulfield Shines". Sporting Globe. 21 October 1933. p. 6. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  11. ^ "1937 - Federal League". The Age. 3 April 1937. p. 43. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  12. ^ "1922 - Junior Football". Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic). 19 August 1922. p. 5.
  13. ^ "1946 - FIXTURES AND ENGAGEMENTS FOR TOMORROW". The Argus. 26 April 1946. p. 13. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  14. ^ "1920 - Football". The Age. 19 March 1920. p. 12. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  15. ^ "1921 - Metropolitan Semi Finals". The Age. 15 August 1921. p. 11. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  16. ^ "1914 - Federal Football". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 29 August 1914. p. 6. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  17. ^ "1913 - Middle Brighton Club". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 12 April 1913. p. 3. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  18. ^ "1915 - Football". Sandringham Southern Cross (Vic). 20 March 1915. p. 8. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  19. ^ "1913 - Football: Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 27 September 1913. p. 7. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  20. ^ "1915 - Football". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 24 July 1915. p. 2. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  21. ^ "1913 - Federal Football Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 29 March 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  22. ^ "1910 - Football: Federal Association". Mornington & Dromana Standard (Vic). 5 March 1910. p. 4. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  23. ^ "1909 - Football: Federal Association - Cheltenham Premiers". Mornington and Dromana Standard (Vic. 11 September 1911. p. 2. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  24. ^ "1910 - Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 13 August 1910. p. 9. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  25. ^ "1911 - Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 2 September 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  26. ^ "1911 - News of the Week: Cheltenham". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 7 October 1911. p. 6. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  27. ^ "1912 - Football: Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 28 September 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  28. ^ "1913 - Football: Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 11 October 1913. p. 9. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  29. ^ "1914 - Football: Federal Association". Brighton Southern Cross (Vic). 26 September 1914. p. 8. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  30. ^ "1915 - Football: Final Match". Seaside News (Cheltenham, Vic). 21 August 1915. p. 8. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  31. ^ "1915 - Football: Final Match, Brighton Districts Premiers". Moorabbin News (Vic). 21 August 1915. p. 8. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  32. ^ "1919 - SECOND JUNIOR SEMI-FINAL TO-MORROW". Geelong Advertiser (Vic). 3 October 1919. p. 6. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  33. ^ "1920 - Cadet Premiership". The Age. 4 October 1920. p. 8. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  34. ^ "1921 - Preparing for Football". The Herald. 2 April 1921. p. 4. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  35. ^ "1921 - Federal Association". The Age. 19 September 1921. p. 14. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  36. ^ "1922 - Sporting Life: Federal Association". Frankston & Somerville Standard (Vic). 30 August 1922. p. 1. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  37. ^ "1923 - Federal Football Association". Frankston & Somerville Standard (Vic). 22 August 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  38. ^ "1923 - That Fair Dinkum Football Team". Frankston & Somerville Standard (Vic). 14 September 1923. p. 4. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  39. ^ "1924 - Federal Association". The Argus. 15 September 1924. p. 5. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  40. ^ "1922 - Other Matches: Federal Association". The Age. 21 September 1925. p. 15. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  41. ^ "1926 - Football: Federal Association". The Argus. 27 September 1926. p. 7. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  42. ^ "1927 - Football: Federal Association Final". The Argus. 26 September 1927. p. 6. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  43. ^ "1928 - Football: Federal Association". The Argus. 24 September 1928. p. 17. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  44. ^ "1929 - Football: Federal Association". The Argus. 9 September 1929. p. 16. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  45. ^ "1925 - Federal FA". Malvern Standard (Vic). 25 September 1925. p. 8. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  46. ^ "1931 - Football". Frankston & Somerville Standard (Vic). 17 October 1931. p. 8. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  47. ^ "1932 - Federal Districts". The Age. 26 September 1932. p. 12. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  48. ^ "1933 - Federal District League". The Age. 25 September 1933. p. 6. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  49. ^ "1938 - Federal First Grade". The Argus. 12 September 1938. p. 14. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  50. ^ Alan Maher & Ross McCulloch. "Federal FL - Best & Fairest Awards". Federal FL - 1909 to 1981. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  51. ^ "1954 - Bill Campbell Dande's "Best & Fairest"". The Dandenong Journal (Vic). 8 September 1954. p. 24. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  52. ^ "1937 - V.F.L. FEDERAL DISTRICT". Frankston & Somerville Standard (Vic). 29 October 1937. p. 8. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  53. ^ "1938 - BEST & FAIREST DISTRICT PLAYERS". The Herald. 16 September 1938. p. 8. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  54. ^ "1942 - Federal League - Annual Meeting". Standard (Frankston, Vic). 10 April 1942. p. 3. Retrieved 22 May 2021.

Links edit