A Very Short History of the

Albury Magpies

Rugby League Club

 

 

IF YOU WANT ALL THIS ON A WORD DOCUMENT

EMAIL ME AT

bill.silvester@bigpond.com

WITH YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS

AND I WILL SEND IT TO YOU ON A MEMORY STICK

 

Send any pics, stories, additions

(eg words to the club songs)

and corrections to the same address.

 

Last Updated: 6/7/2020

Latest Contacts: Brian Jux, Howard Leader x2, Paul Dennis.

Contents

Club Song. 3

Group 13 Fixture Book 1971. 3

Some of the Players and Some of the Years. 10

First Grade Coaches. 11

Presidents. 11

Most Games. 12

1970 First Grade Semi Final Teachers v Lockhart at Tarcutta. 12

1970 Group 13 Awards. 17

1971 Game Reports. 18

1971 Group 13 Team.. 37

1972. 38

1973. 45

1974. 50

1975. 57

1976 Group 13 Trials. 112

1976. 113

Magpies Touch Team.. 138

Magpies Cricket 140

Extras. 141

Rogues Gallery. 142

Albury Magpies Stories. 148

Magpies Greatest Team.. 150

 

 

The Club began in 1970 as Teachers United

Played for 7 seasons

Ended at the start of 1977

 

This hung above the bar at Soden’s Hotel, Albury

(drawn by Bill Silvester in 1972)

 

Club Song

We win, we win again

We thank our striving team

Albury Magpies

Our love for you

No one can near approach, can near approach

No one can near approach

MAGPIES

 

 (To the tune of Marseilles)

Another anthem (tune Goodnight Irene)

 

Saturday night I stayed sober

Sunday went down to the ground

Went to see the Albury Magpies play

The Opposition didn’t make a sound

Albury Magpies

Albury Magpies

Magpies to Win, Magpies to Win

Albury Magpies to win

 

(Words concocted by Paul Dennis and Billy Lotter)

(Thanks to Howard Leader for sending the words in)

 

 

 

 

Teacher’s United changed its name to Albury Magpies in 1973

and became a hub of Sporting and Social activities for many young people in Albury

and became famous for its hospitality.

 

The club started mainly with teachers but spread to include anyone with a sporting and partying attitude.

It spawned basketball, cricket, volleyball, hockey and waterpolo teams, all loosely associated.

 

 

Doug McFarlane, President of Albury Teachers,

Terry Hodgetts, Coach, Brian Jux and Dennis Pittard,

South Sydney and Australian five-eight at Teachers Presentation night in 1971.

 

Neal White: Player of the Year.

Con Tsakalos and Mark Wilson: Best Reserve Grade players.

Terry Kesby: Most Improved.

Terry Hodgetts and Mike Stevens: Group Pockets.

Tony Quinn: Best First Grade Forward.

 

The 1971 First Grade Team

 

 

Standing (L to R): John Holmes, Brian Jux, Neil White, Graham Cole, Lyn Jones,

Terry Hodgetts, Lance Goodger, Keith Lambert, R Walker, G Edwards.

Crouching: M Stevens, Ron Hughes, Tony Quinn.

 

Albury Magpies 1972

 

 

Back Row (L to R): Max Apps coach, Lyn Jones, Terry Hodgetts, Graham Cole,

Col Carrington, David Polkinghorne, Roland Martin.

Middle Row: Frank Gee, Bill Silvester, Mark Wilson.

Front Row: John Sobolewski, Barry Thompson, Bruce Baily, Allan Toogood ??, Ralph Johnson.

 

 

Reserve Grade 1971 or 1972

 

 

Standing: T Kesby, R Grimmond, A Byrne, N Betts, Paul Dickinson, A Kesby, M Wilson, A Fraser.

Front: A Chick, S Coles, G Atkinson, Bruce Ball, Peter Graham

 

Coach Terry Hodgetts addressing the team in 1973

 

1975 First Grade Team coached by Paul Dennis

 

 

Managers: Bob Moffitt and Keith Ball

Back (L to R): David Polkinghorne, ‘Jedda’ Halpin, Dave Lucas.

Middle: Bill Silvester, Terry Hodgetts, Paul Dennis, Mike Savage, Max Bloomfield, Ian O’Connell.

Front: Ron Carroll, Garry Huggard, ballboy ??, Wayne Grant, Billy Lotter.

 

 

1975 Reserve grade team coached by Don Farrell

 

 

L-R Top Row: Jim Purtell (Prop), Peter Shaddock (5/8), Peter Carroll (Lock), Chris (Porky) Anderson (SR), Brian Mead (W), Brian (Changa) Heyward (Prop), Steve (Moses) Hill (Fullback), Don Farrell (Coach). L-R Bottom Row: Jamie Martin (SR), Graeme Hoffman (O Centre), Graeme Cole (I Centre), Howard Leader (Hooker), George Kosciak (Winger), Dave Anderson (SR), Scott Sinclair (1/2), the Ball Bay Michael Silvester.

Absent were: Ernie Meyers (W), Peter Graham and Lindsay Augustus.

Evan Kelly (Manager)

The photo was taken 28th April 1975 at Alexandra Park. We beat Tarcutta that day 21-0.

 

1971 Committee

Doug McFarlane: President

Graham Black: Vice President

Brian Jux: Secretary- Treasurer

Ron Hughes: Assistant Secretary-Treasurer

Terry Hodgetts: Coach

Committee: Keith Ball, Don Ross, Keith Lambert, Col McAulay

Home Ground: Alexandra Park

 

1970 Committee

Doug McFarlane: President

Brian Jux: Secretary- Treasurer

 

 

Group 13 Reps:

Terry Hodgetts 1971 72 73

Neil White 1971

Geoff Martin 1976

Mike Savage 1976

Ian O’Connell

 

Riverina Possible – Probables:

Terry Hodgetts 1973

 

Riverina:

Ian O’Connell

 

 

Group 13 Premiers and Coaches

 

 

 

 

1970   John Holmes on $10/week

1971   Terry Hodgetts

1972   Max Apps

1973   Terry Hodgetts

1974   Paul Dennis

1975   Paul Dennis

1976   Geoff Martin

 

 

Clarrie Wilson

Don Farrell 1975

Ian O’Connell 1976

 

Doug McFarlane

Keith Ball

 

 

 

 

Possibly …

Dave Polkinghorne – 5 seasons - 1972 – 76

Terry Hodgetts – 5 seasons - 1971 - 75

Graham Cole – ?? 73 74 75 ??

Peter Graham  ?? 71 72 73 74 75

Bill Silvester – 5 seasons 1972 – 76

 

 

 

Teachers: P. McDougall Fullback, K. Lambert and B. Hillard Wingers, N. White and C.. McCann Centres, B. Anquetil Five Eight, M. Stevens Half Back, A. Hughes Lock, H. Simmons and A. Quinn Second Row, P. Dickinson and J Holmes Front Row, B. Jux Hooker.

 

NB: Bill Silvester Halfback for Lockhart

 

 

 

Scorers: Teachers: Hughes, Lambert, White tries; McDougall goal. Henty: Breed try, Peet goal.

Best: Hughes, White, McDougall, Lambert.

 

1969 Tarcutta
1975 Albury Blues
1985 Tumbarumba
1986 Tumbarumba

 

 

 

 

 

   

Paul McDougall 2^nd in the Wayling Gold Medal, winner of the Tom Summerfield Pocket.

4th in the Tom Chubb Highest Point Scorers.

R Hughes 7^th in Wayling Medal and 12^th in Summerfield Pocket

Neil White 4^th in Try Scoring list.

 

 

New Coach Terry Hodgetts and Preseason

 

 

  

 

 

R1 Teachers V Henty

 

  

 

Group 13 v Group 17

 

Group 13 Team 1971

Brian Purtell, Bill Plum, Mike O’Neill, Terry Hodgetts, Neil White, Brian McPherson, Bob Hanson.

B McCarthy, Ian Taskis, Des Plum, Norm Geaghan.

Mick Chittick, Norm Hadson, Barry Breed, John Whitson, Tony Stevens.

 

R2 Teachers V Tarcutta

 

R3 Teachers V Batlow

 

 

 

 

R4 Teachers V Roos

  

 

R5 Teachers v Holbrook

 

 

R6 Teachers v Holbrook

 

 

R7 Teachers V Lockhart

 

R8 Teachers V Tumbarumba

A Game to Remember

 

1971 Tumbarumba and Batlow came back to Group 13 and were expected to dominate the comp.

 Lockhart were the only team to beat both during the season.

BUT it was Teachers who were the first to beat Tumba. 12 – 10 in Round 8 with Neil White scoring 4 unconverted tries.

John Whitson and Warren Crotty scored for Tumba with B Burgun kicking 2 goals.

 

 

 

 

 

R9 Teachers V Blues

 

 

 

R11 Teachers V Tarcutta

 

 

R12 Teachers V Batlow

 

R13 Teachers V Roos

R14 Teachers beat Holbrook

 

R15 Teachers V Lockhart

R17 Teachers V Tumbarumba

 

 

Teachers beat Blues R18

 

 

Group 13 team 1971: Neil White, Terry Hodgetts, Tony Stephens.

Brian Purtell, Bill Plum, Roos or Blues coach, Terry Hodgetts, Neil White, Eccles McPherson, Bob Hagan (Batlow coach).

??, Ian Taskis, Des Plum, Norm Geaghan.

Cudmore ?? – Batlow half, Norm Hadson, Henty??, John Whitson, Tony Stephens.

 

 

Max was the first Principal at Glenroy Public School

He represented against New Zealand, France and England in regional sides.

Coached Premierships

1 Boggabilla 1956

2 Bowral Blues v Mittagong Lions in 1958

3 Mittagong Lions v Moss Vale Dragons in 1959

4 Captain-Coach Tamworth City 4 years - Premiers in 1960

 

 

 

 

Teachers 39 def Lockhart 9

Alan Toogood 2, John Sobolewski 2, Keith Lambert, Terry Hodgetts, Anthony Quinn, Bill Silvester tries, Silvester 6 goals.

 

 

 

Terry Hodgetts figures in both Best Player Awards

 

 

John Holmes in Reserve Grade point Scorers.

Article mentions that he was also 13^th top scorer in 1971 season.

 

Max Bloomfield, Terry Kesby, Geoff Ewart, Graham Cole, Keith Lambert, John Hook, Jim Ousterhous, Terry Hodgetts (c), Lyn Jones, D Bannock, E Gee, Jim Purtell.

Firsts: Roos 13 def Magpies 11

D Farrell, M Bloomfield, G Cole tries, W Silvester 1 goal.

Best: J Oosterhouse, T Hodgetts, M Bloomfield, G Cole.

Reserves: D O’Brien, A Quinn tries, B Thompson 2 goals.

Best: D O’Brien, A Quinn, R Mercer.

 

Geoff Ewart (Hewart) and Dave (Don) Polkinghorne new centres.

 

Terry Hodgetts in ‘Possibles’ Riverina team.

 

Terry Hodgetts in Riverina Possible – Probables game

  

Year Uncertain – but Ben Hall played in 73.

Batlow 16 def Magpies 6

Ben Hall and Dave Polkinghorne tries.

 

Late round in the season

 

 

Opening Round  - Adelong 36 Magpies 11 at Adelong

Best: T Hodgetts, P Dennis, B Heyward.

Adelong 38 def Magpies 11

B Heyward, T Hodgetts, P Dennis tries, P Dennis 1 goal.

Reserves: Adelong 22 def Magpies 0.

 

Round 12 Magpies def Roos in Boilover

Magpies lost to Roos 31 – 15

Best: G Thompson, T Hodgetts, M Savage, D Polkinghorne.

Scorers: Thompson, Polkinghorne, Savage Tries, Thompson 3 goals.

 

 

Paul Dennis sent Off.

Ben Hall and Dave Polkinghorne trys.

T Hodgetts, B Hall, G Thompson, M Bloomfield – Best.

 

Battle for the Wooden Spoon – Magpies v Wodonga

 

 

Maggies were confident to take on Wodonga with only 10 men?? – see below.

 

Blues 21 def Magpies 9

Best: S Hill, D Lucas, W Lotter

 

 

Group 13 1975 Results

                                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL LADDER – First Grade

 

 

FINAL LADDER – Reserve Grade

Tumbarumba            29

Batlow                               28

Magpies                  26

Albury Roos            25

Albury Blues            24

Holbrook                 13

Lockhart                  12

Tarcutta                  11

Adelong                   8

Wodonga                4

 

Magpie Awards 1975

 

Least number of points scored: Evan Kelly 3, Wayne Grant 3, Brian Heyward 3, Dave A 3, Don Farrell 4.

Most Field Goals: Scott Sinclair 3, Paul Dennis 2.

Most Replacements: Don Farrell 9, Jamie Martin 5.

Club’s Longest Playing Player: Peter Graham 6 seasons. Graham Cole 6 seasons ?? Terry Hodgetts, Dave Polkinghorne and Bill Silvester 5 each.

Best Trainers: Brian Mead and Chris Parkinson.

Longest Continuous Playing Record: Dave Polkinghorne – about 33

Briefest Appearance with club: Paul Dickinson 1, Barry Vogel 1.

Briefest Appearance in First Grade: Peter Shaddock – half a game at end of season; Scott Sinclair – last 10 minutes of semi)

Most Games in Reserves: Peter Shaddock 18.

Most Games in Firsts: Ron, Bill, Wayne, Dave – 18 each.

Most games for the club in 1975: Dave, Steve and Howard – 20 each.

Best Actor: Jamie Martin

Most tries in one game: Mike Savage – 5

Most Rub Downs: Moses

Most excuses for missing training: Wayne Grant

Most Injured: Ray Gear and Rod Copeland

Most spectacular game: Hoffman 4 tries to defeat Blues and win a place in the finals!

2^nd: First defeat of Tumba at Tumba.

First grade scored 100 tries for the season.

Only players sent off during the season: Max Bloomfield and Paul Dennis.

Best Supporter: Joy Ball

Player with the nicest girlfriend: Bill Lotter

Player who falls in love the most: Paul Dennis and Bill Lotter

Most injured Player of the year: Hodgie on trip away.

 

Group 13 Scorers 1975 season (unofficial)

Ray Lynch               195

Gary Hiscock           156

Neil Bulger              144

Bill Butz                   140

Bill Silvester            125

Peter Purtell            124

Steve Cotton           112

Rick Hamilton          99

Peter Richards        99

Ian O’Connell                    91

Mike Savage           90

 

Group 13 Tries 1975 (unofficial)

Peter Richards        33       (Group record)

Rick Hamilton          33       (Group record)

Mike Savage           30      

(Mike broke group record earlier in the season with 29 tries from the first 14 games according to Gerry Ryan Daily Advertiser Wagga, and was then injured)

Ian O’Connell      27

 

Ron Carroll and Billy Lotter were selected n the Group team (bottom right)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserves Ladder: Batlow 24, Tumba 23, Magpies 22, Blues 22, Roos 19, Holbrook 13, Lockhart 12, Tarcutta 7, Adelong 6, Wodonga 2.

Dave Lucas far left.

Firsts: Holbrook 30 def Magpies 24

Paul Dennis, Ian O’Connell, Mike Savage, Ron Carroll tries.

Bill Silvester 6 goals.

Reserves: Magpies 23 def Holbrook 8

U17: Holbrook 24 def Magpies 0

 

 

Magpies 28 def Tumbarumba 16

Scorers: I O’Connell 3, M Bloomfield, G Hoffman, D Lucas, W Silvester tries, W Silvester 3, I O’Connell 2, P Dennis 1 goals.

Best: D Lucas, D Farrell, I O’Connell.

 

Magpies 33 def Tumbarumba 16

Best: D Lucas, D Farrell, I O’Connell.

 

Magpies 33 def Tumba 16.

Scorers: I O’Connell 3, M Bloomfield, G Hoffman, D Lucas, W Sylvester tries, W Sylvester 3, I O’Connell 2, P Dennis goals.

 

 

Bill Silvester Magpies no 7. Bob McIntosh Blues captain-coach with hands on hips.

Looks like Garry Huggard v Blues at Greenfield Park.

Semi Final: Batlow 34 def Magpies 5

Scorers: Ian O’Connell a try and a goal.

Best: W Lotter, T Hodgetts, O’Connell, S Hill.

Reserves: Roos 36 def Magpies 3.

Scorers: D Farrell 1 goal, S Sinclair 1 field goal.

Best: P Shaddock, D Burke, S Sinclair.

 

 

Magpies Players:

Southern Firsts: Mike Savage Wing, Ian O’Connell Lock.

Southern Seconds: Geoff Martin Fullback, R. Carroll Wing, John Miller Five-Eighth, Jamie Martin Front Row.

 

Group 13 Rep Team 1976

Back Row (L to R): Graham Doherty, Dave Mulrooney, Gary Purtell, Ray Lynch, Brian McPherson, Dick (Richard) Hamilton, ??.

Middle Row: Garry McKenzie (sling), Geoff Martin, Nifty Stevens, ??, Mike Savage, Ian Taskis, Aidan Beath??

Front Row: Bob Thompson, Steve Cotton, John Keeley, Allan Plum ?

 

 

Round 1: Magpies 15: M Savage 2, J Martin tries, I O’Connell 2, M Marcumi goals def Adelong 3.

Round 2: Tumbarumba 11 def Magpies 4: I O’Connell 2 goals.

 

Northern v Southern Group Trials:

Firsts: M Savage (wing), I O’Connell (lock).

Seconds: G Martin (fullback), R Carroll (wing), J Miller (five-eight), J Martin (front row).

 

Group 13 win Riverina Knock-Out for the first time.

 

 

Group 13 team included Mike Savage.

John Miller and Savage scored tries in the trial.

Jamie martin scored a try in the seconds match.

G Sinclair was selected in the Junior team.

 

 

 

Albury Magpies: S Martin, M Bloomfield, M Savage, T Harrison, D Voss, S McIlveen, K Gossage, J Miller, G Cameron, D Cullen, J Martin, G Halpin, I O’Connell.

 

Group 13 team to play Group 17 including Mike Savage and John Miller.

Selectors including Keith Ball.

 

 

Magpies def Tarcutta

Scorers: K Gossage 2, I O’Connell, M Bloomfield, G Cameron tries, I O’Connell 6 goals.

Best: I O’Connell, K Gossage, G Cameron, T Harrison.

 

 

  

Lockhart 26 def Magpies 10.

Scorers: J Miller 2 tries, H Leader. T Harrison goals.

Best: J Miller, G Halpin, T Harrison.

 

 

Howard (not Harry) Leader

 

Firsts: Batlow 35 d Magpies 10

Scorers: S McIlveen, T Harrison tries, T Harrison 2 goals.

Best: T Harrison, K Gossage, S McIlveen.

Seconds: Batlow 32 d Magpies 2

G Huggard 1 goal.

Best: J Hook, M Punch, G Koscik

 

 

Magpies 16 d Roos 8

Scorers: R Carroll 2, K Gossage, C Dixon tries, T Harrison 2 goals.

Best: T Harrison, K Gossage, R Carroll, M Bloomfield.

 

Magpies 26 def Holbrook 9

Scorers: I O’Connell 2, T Harrison, G Halpin, G Martin, R Carroll tries, T Harrison 4 goals.

Best: G Martin, G Halpin, D Allen, I O’Connell (till injured).

 

April 12 1976

Blues def Magpies

 

Best: I O’Connell, A Gossage, M Bloomfield.

 

 

May 11

Batlow 36 def Magpies 10

Magpies: S McIlveen, T Harrison tries, T Harrison 2 goals.

 

June 7 1976 – Adelong 18 lost to Magpies 19

Magpies: T Harrison, J Miller, R Cole, I O’Connell, K Gossage tries. T Harrison 2 goals.

Best: R Horner, G Martin, T Harrison.

Harrison kicked a goal from halfway in the last minute to win.

 

July 9 1976        Magpies v Batlow

 

 

Magpies 27 def Tarcutta 17

Scorers: K Gossage 2, I O’Connell. M Bloomfield, G Cameron tries. I O’Connell 6 goals.

Best: I O’Connell, K Gossage, G Cameron, T Harrison.

 

July 13 1976 Batlow down Magpies 37-7

Best: Halpin, Miller and O’Connell

 

Magpies v Roos July 19

 

John Miller Magpies Lock

 

Magpies Scorers: G Koscaik 2, G Huggard tries, G Koscaik 3 goals.

Best: W Sylvester, G Kosciak, G Huggard.

 

Juniors: A Grady, B Hopwood, J Ridge.

 

Reserves: Albury Magpies 24 def Blues 8

 

26.7.76       Magpies def Wodonga 52-11

 

July 19 1976       Magpies 35 – Roos 24

Scorers: G Martin 2, R Horner 2, T Harrison 2, J Miller, K Gossage, D Allen, I O’Connell, S McIlveen tries, I O’Connell 11 goals.

11 Tries – 11 goals to O’Connell

Best: O’Connell, Sinclair, Halpin, Harrison.

 

 

Magpies slip from 3^rd to 6^th with 14-12 loss to Blues.

Magpies: John Miller 2, Tom Harrison 1 try.

Best: G Halpin, G Martin, J Miller.

 

Magpies 31 def Adelong 16

Scorers: K Gossage 2, I O’Connell, J Miller, S Sinclair, C Dixon, G Martin tries, T Harrison 3, I O’Connell 2 goals.

Best: I O’Connell, T Harrison, K Gossage.

 

Reserve Grade Semi Final v Tarcutta

Reserves coached by Ian O’Connell made the semi against Tarcutta.

     

What Bill remembers about the game … We had a great run that season but lost the semi to Tarcutta. Brian (Harry) Heyward was not well and Ian found him down by the creek and got him onto the field after twenty minutes. Minutes from the end of the game I made a break, drew the fullback and passed to Donny Farrell for him to win the game with a try between the posts. The only problem was the Tarcutta fullback was Des Plum. He and I had played half and 5/8 in the Group 13 team in 1970 and knew each other well. He picked me like a nose and intercepted the pass. By the time Donny and I turned around Tarcutta had scored at the other end and Ian’s dream was over!

 

What Howard Leader has to say about the game .. I remember the semi vs Tarcutta.  I watched it from the sideline as I’d played too many 1st games for the season.  In 1975 I missed the semi vs Roos with a broken collar bone.  Jim Purtell hooked and he broke a leg!!  

Loved playing for the ‘Pies.  Don Farrell and Ian were great coaches.  I used to visit Don some evenings out at his one-teach school at Thurgoona to share a beer and talk about plans for the weekend. Ian used to call out from the sideline if I lost a scrum he thought I should have won, “Get aggressive Howard!”

Best boast was when Don asked me “How does it feel to have won the scrums against an Australia hooker?”  That was when Allan Buman playing for Tumbarumba.

 

Blues and magpies make the Finals

 

Magpies 26 def Holbrook 9

Scorers: I O’Connell 2, T Harrison, G Halpin, G Martin, R Carroll tries. T Harrison 4 goals.

Best: G Martin, G Halpin, D Allen, I O’Connell (till injured)

 

 

Our First comp Touch team, playing in Manly colours bought by Ian O’Connell.

Back: Dave Polkinghorne, Ian O’Connell, Evan Connick, Mick Scott, Mick Trewin.

Crouched: Mike Waters

Front: Wayne Reid Col Selsby (ballboy from above phots??), Peter Westland, Bill Silvester, Peter Mentis.

 

 

 

 

An offshoot that was the equally successful socially, and won 4 premierships.

 

Peter Graham, Graeme Gifford, Garry Huggard, Leyland Sawyer, Evan Kelly, Graeme (Red) Hore, Don Farrell (Captain), Phil Berick, Jamie Martin, Richard Rule, Bill Silvester, ??, Bobby Stepto.

 

 

Evan Kelly, Brian Heyward, Richard Rule, Jamie Martin, Graeme Gifford, Graeme (Red) Hore, Terry Hodgetts, Don Farrell.

Charlie Hayes, Bob Napier, Peter Graham.

Mike Savage, Paul Dennis, Bill Silvester, Garry Huggard, Billy Lotter, Peter Graham.

Their first Hume Cricket Premiership.

 

Bob Napier had played first grade in Sydney, and Don Farrell opened Manly 2nd grade team with a former Australian opener.

 

Up ya bum, pull ya pud

Are we any bloody good?

We are the Magpies cricket team.

We won the Premiership

We think we’re just IT

What did Ben’s get?

A barrel full of s…!

Up ya bum, pull ya pud

Are we any bloody good?

We are the Magpies cricket team.

 

 

 

 

Willow Longbottom took a few of us home for a shower after the game. The game had been called off early because the conditions were toooo bad! And there was no hot, warm or even cool water left. So many went to the pub with their civies over the mud!

Another story has come to light recently … Wal Harvey took Mike Waters and Ian O’Connell home. His wife was taking toddies to them while they were in the bath and shower defrosting, then they sat down to a family Sunday night dinner, before returning quietly to the pub, saying nothing!!!

 

 

The Newmarket Hotel in Albury. One night a few players were locked in with the bar running, and lights out, after trading hours while the cops tried to get in!!! They even tried phoning the bar to get someone silly enough to answer.

 

 

 

 

Ian O’ Connell playing with Roos

 

Ian’s Group 13 Wayling Gold Medal

      

Billy Lotter (dropped the ball??)      Bill Silvester Wollongong 1965   

Age 39 RAAF Tigers v Army - Malaysia 1986

Geoff Ewart 1966 scoring 4 tries!

Geoff Ewart (far left) with West Wyalong

Howard Leader – Champ teacher – Albury Primary Schools Carnival 1975

 

1970 Albury Roos def Tarcutta in Grand Final

Albury Teachers United (Albury Magpies) lost to Lockhart in the First Semi Final

 

1977 - Our last season was with Geoff Martin as coach in 1976 and we lost heaps on failed 300 club.

The rest is an untold story of how we paid back debts!!!!

 

About 1973 Albury Magpies played the last game of the season against Tumbarumba at Tumba. Thirty minutes into the first half a squall of ice and rain swept across the ground. Spontaneously the referee, linesman and players raced off the field for shelter.

Neither side was going to make the finals, and talking together under shelter someone suggested that we call this halftime and play the same time for the second half.

Upon hearing the ref said we couldn’t do it as it was an official CRL game. He was ignored and someone said as the scores were close that we only play till, someone scores. This was agreed on by the players. After about 20 minutes with no further scores we all left the field and headed for the showers.

Unfortunately the reserves had used all the hot water and you can imagine the temperature of the cold water. A couple of players splashed water on themselves to remove most of the mud, but most just put their civies on over the mud and went to the pub.

Then 40 years later we hear a couple of the privileged players were taken home by Tumba players like Willo Longbottom and Wal Harvey for showers. They must have those who were friendliest on the field! … Bill Silvester

That cold wet day at Tumba, Howard leader and I were taken home by Hooker Parker. I was in the shower and Howard was in the bath. Hooker was supplying us with scotch to warm us up. We finished and ate a roast dinner his wife had been cooking and then hooker took us to the pub. I think I slept all the way back to Albury.  … Ian O’Connell

Magpies led at the break .. captains agreed that if one side got a converted try in front … we’d stop .. Magpies did .. ref wanted to declare it a no result and was told to ‘piss off’. .. Dave Polk

 

 

Stuck in Batlow -  no petrol – rang wives – Willow Longbottom had a key to garage – we got home so went to Lav Sports Club – sprung by Pres wife

 

A Storm struck at Tumba 25 mins into the first half – we all ran for sheds – someone suggested calling that half time and playing the same for the second half .. the ref said you can’t, it’s an official CRL game .. we struck a deal with Tumba that if either side got more than a converted  try in front we’d call it quits. We did about 20mins or so into second half and all walked off.

The seconds had used all the hot water and the showers were too cold for anyone to get under so most put their civvies on went to the pub. A couple splashed themselves to get most of the mud off.

But for 50 years there has been a story withheld! Ian O’Connell and Howard Leader (??) were taken home by Hooker Parker. While Ian was in the shower and Howard in the bath, Wal’s wife took them brandies to drink. Then they sat down to a roast dinner with Hooker’s family before joining the rest at the pub.

 

I’ll F’n give you Christmas Tree to Jamie Martin at Tumba. – Wal Harvey

 

Don Farrell taking on Blues taking it up to their forwards after they had started bashing captain Terry Hodgetts.

 

Geoff Martin left jabbing Wal Harvey repeatedly… from Batlow as he kept swing at him .. having a together beer after .. you kept hitting me said Wal .. yeah but you wouldn’t stop coming at me answered Marto ..

 

Magpies after parties .. beers and drinks .. barbie .. music .. no one would go home.

 

Peter Graham – scoring an easy try at Lockhart after Bill Silvester warned Lockhart to watch out for Neil White…Pete dummied to Neil and went through untouched from 20m out. (Bill, Peter and Neil were at Wollongong Teachers College together – Neil had played for Illawarra Union, and had scored 4 tries against Tumba for Teachers to win 12-10 – the first loss for Tumba since re-joining Group13)

 

Peter Graham pulling hamstring at Blues ground in 2^nd grade, 20 metres clear of the defense and throwing the ball 10m into the air and limping off.

 

Max Bloomfield stitching Bill S’s head with needle and thread at Tarcutta after the game when it wouldn’t stop bleeding down his face in the pub.

 

Getting thumped by Tarcutta player each time I (Bill S) kicked .. calling to Max for some protection .. finally jumping back up and thumping the player .. whistle blew .. and I thought I was gone .. but ref Barry Goldspink  penalised the opposition player .. and said to me Ï was waiting for you do something about it!!”

 

Wetting Polk’s babies head at LSC… playing some coin game for shouts.

 

Kicking a goal just before full time to avoid not scoring and costing my father the double at Tumba ground where he had lost his front teeth.. BS.

 

Benalla trip… left one fella behind … wrestling Max in dark dining room behind swinging wild west doors .. Police escorting our bus out of town .. Bus trip to Melbourne .. kicked out of Benalla .. Red lip stick on barmaid in Lygon Street

 

Flight to Sydney .. Max Bloomfield on plane telling everyone to sit down and go to the toilet one at a time .. All staying together … then Ian going off to see some blonde!!.. $200 bucks to drink with at each stop to keep all together.

 

Dave and Coley getting a lift back into town in footy training gear and only socks by a Police Patrol car. Coley realising who the driver was used a stage whisper to Dave to inform him “Dave they’re f’ing COPS!’.

 

Putting pool up inside out at Don Farrell’s – started again the next weekend with no drinking….

 

Geoff Ewart taken to hospital at half time with hypothermia during a game at Batlow.

 

 

 

 

 

Some old Maggies in Moscow 2017

Ian, Evan, David and Bill.