Formed in 1872, the Maryborough Football Club has just celebrated its 150th anniversary. Over the years the Club has brought glory and prestige to the town of their name.
Many famous footballers began their careers with Maryborough: Horrie Clover, Ron Branton, Darky Nalder, Don/John Nicholls, Graeme Whitnall, Col Elliot. None more illustrious than Jack Worrall. Transferring from Maryborough to Fitzroy in 1884, he represented Victoria, coached Carlton and Essendon to multiple premierships, and played cricket for Australia.
As a boy I remember watching Maryborough play. By 1.00pm the grandstand was packed. Webber Jackson called the matches on the radio, at half time the brass band entertained the crowd. I can still see Norm Sing and Nev Olver on the wings taking ‘speckys’ then running forward to the roar of the crowd.
For away games, along with school friends Noel Bishop and Ian Hunter, we would line up outside the McIvor Hotel to catch the bus to Ballarat.
Noel went on to play for Maryborough and Carlton, Ian played representative cricket and golf for South Australia. As a student at the Tech, our woodwork teacher was Cecil Kerr. At the beginning of class someone would ask “Mr Kerr didn’t you play football?”. He would tell us to put our tools down and for the entire period would regale us with stories of his time with Maryborough and Fitzroy.Cec is the only locally born runner to have won the prestigious Maryborough Gift (1931).
The Maryborough Football Club has a long and illustrious history. Numerous premierships, Champion teams, famous payers, countless memories. But most important of all is the pleasure the Club has given to thousands of supporters on Saturday afternoon for 150 years.
