The Woodville Football Club (SAFA) originally known as the Port Suburban Football Club (from 1868–1870) was an Australian rules football club that participated in the foundation year of the South Australian Football Association. It is not related to the Woodville Football Club that joined the SANFL in 1964.
| Woodville Football Club (1868–1877) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Names | |
| Full name | Woodville Football Club |
| Former name(s) | Port Suburban Football Club |
| Club details | |
| Founded | 16 May 1868[1] |
| Dissolved | 15 September 1877 |
| Colours | Blue (1877) |
| Ground(s) | Woodville |
First game edit
The first game was played on the 16 May 1868 between sides representing the Woodville Cricket Club against those from the Port Suburban Cricket Club.[1]
Port Road matches edit
In 1869 the club referred to itself as 'Port Suburban' and played its games at Woodville with teams chosen by which side of Port Road they lived.[2]
Rename as Port Adelaide formed edit
The club changed its name from Port Suburban to "The Woodvilles" at a meeting held at the Ford's Hotel on Wednesday 11 May 1870. J. Hart was elected Captained.[3]
SAFA foundation club edit
Woodville following an internal match elected two delegates (Captain J.Obsorne and T. Letchford) to the inaugural meeting of the SAFA.[4]
Woodville participated in the inaugural 1877 SAFA season winning 5 of its 16 matches to finish 5th of 8 teams. Internal disputes lead to resignations and having to play junior players towards the end of the season.[5]
Dissolution of Senior SAFA Club (1877) edit
The senior club dissolved at the end of the 1877 season and a number of Woodville's leading players joined a new club called the Norwood Football Club.[6]
Woodville's last scheduled game for September 15 against Port Adelaide at Woodville fell through due to a lack of players (their principal players being involved in a practice cricket match at Norwood).[7]
Notable players of the Woodville Football Club in 1877 were Captain J.R. (Joe) Osborn (who would become Norwood's Inaugural Captain in 1878), George Giffen (who played for Norwood 1878-1885) and the brothers Fred Letchford (who played for Norwood 1878-1886) and Tom Letchford (who played for Norwood 1878-1881).[citation needed]
Reformation of Junior Club (1881) edit
1881- A meeting to consider the desirability of forming a football club at Woodville was held at the local institute on Tuesday, April 5. There was a good attendance and about thirty members were enrolled. The following were the officers elected - Patron, Mr. Connor; president, Mr. DeMole; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. Roberts, J.L. Simpson, H. Hanson. R. Honey, T. Wright, J. Rawlings, and G. Baker; captain, Mr. R.Lucas; vice-captain, Mr. T. E. Kent; secretary and treasurer,Mr.F. J. Rawlings; oommittee, Messrs. F. Filgate and A. E. Norman, together with captain, vice-captain, and secretary. It was decided that the colours should be dark blue. [8][9]
1882 - The annual meeting of the club was held in the Woodville Institute on Thursday, March 23. There was a very good attendance, Mr. Forrester presiding. The report showed a balance in hand of £5 10s. Fourteen new members were elected, and the following officers were chosen :—President, Mr. T. Roberts ; Vice-presidents, Messrs. Bower, M.P., G. A. Connor, W. Russell, R. Honey, W. Thow, H.C. Fletcher, W. Forrester, G. Baker, H. Hanson, J. Rawlings, G. DeMole, and L. McLaren. The working officers were elected as follows:— Captain, H. F. Nicholls ; Vice-captain, J. E. Short ; Secretary, A E. Norman ; Treasurer, F. J. Rawlings ; Committee—T. Fletcher, G. H. Downer, F. A. Howell, E. Grant, and W. Terrell. The meeting closed with votes of thanks.
References edit
- ^ a b "GENERAL NEWS". The Express and Telegraph. Vol. V, no. 1, 356. South Australia. 2 June 1868. p. 2 (LATE EDITION). Retrieved 8 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "GENERAL NEWS". The Express and Telegraph. Vol. VI, no. 1, 634. South Australia. 4 May 1869. p. 1 (LATE EDITION.). Retrieved 8 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Topics of the Day". South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, Sa : 1858 - 1889). 13 May 1870. p. 2.
- ^ "Football". Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, Sa : 1867 - 1922). May 1877. p. 2.
- ^ "Football". Adelaide Observer (Sa : 1843 - 1904). 14 July 1877. p. 5.
- ^ "FOOTBALL". The Express and Telegraph. Vol. XV, no. 4, 297. South Australia. 18 May 1878. p. 3. Retrieved 8 October 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Football". South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, Sa : 1858 - 1889). 17 September 1877. p. 7.
- ^ "General News". Express and Telegraph. 7 April 1881.
- ^ "Football". Evening Journal. 7 April 1881.
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