Tasmanian football in the old days
Mr K. E. ‘Kenny’ Burn has received a letter from Mr W. H. ‘Billy’ Cundy, who is at present in Launceston, stating that he will be in Hobart in a few days, and would be very pleased to meet old football friends.
In the good old days of football in Tasmania the name of Cundy was one to conjure with. Billy Cundy, of dapper appearance, curly hair, and moustache, was a model footballer, skilful general, and champion rover, and for many years led the Railway Club (formed in 1879) to victory (Cundy was the captain.)
In the first year of the club's existence, 11 matches were played, of which 4 were won, 4 lost, and 3 drawn. The ‘locos’ wore red and black uniforms, and under Mr Cundy's guidance won the premiership three years in succession; 1881, 1882, and 1883.
The first Tasmanian team which visited Victoria in 1887 was captained by Billy Cundy, and on the return of the team he led the Railway Club to victory in some memorable fights against City (captained by T. P. Ryan), and finally won what was called the "Jubilee premiership" on account of the jubilee celebration of Queen Victoria's reign being in the same year.
Many old time footballers will be pleased to give Mr Cundy the hearty grip of friendship for "auld acquaintance sake." Mr Cundy left tor Victoria after the 1887 season.
Veteran Railway players hope to have an evening with their old skipper. Taxing one's memory, one recalls the names of Kenny Burn, C. McAllen, John Watt, James Watt, George Cheverton, W. Deeble (now loco superintendent Tasmanian Government Railways), L. H. Macleod, Arthur Judge, Neil Walters (present at last Saturday's match), John Hutton, Andy Fleury (the man who knew how to use his weight), "Snowy" Carney, Ed Cherry, Jack Sibley ("what ho! she bumps"), R. Sibley, W. Wise, W. Lloyd (Oatlands), Tom Mitchell (headmaster at St. Mary's school, and a footballer who knew no fear), Fred. N. Clarke, W. Leitch, R. Langworthy, Joey Briggs (an argumentative forward and an able secretary of the club for years), J. Casey, Les Jones, and others who have played under Mr. Cundy's captaincy. What memories a convivial gathering of these old-time footballers would arouse.
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The game in the olden days
The visit to Tasmania of an old-time football champion in Mr W. H. ‘Billy’ Cundy will set the heroes of bygone days thinking of the deeds they achieved on the field. The sport has had a rather interesting career in this State, and the following article contributed to the "Australian Football Guide" in 1904 by "J.C.," under the heading of "Progress in Tasmania" should prove interesting reading for past and present day footballers:
Many years ago the Australian game of football in Tasmania was threatened by an invasion of the English game, and for some considerable period the different clubs played under different rules—some under Australian rules, some under Rugby and Association mixed rules.
In olden days clubs refused to meet each other unless concessions were granted regarding the "drop kick" or "kicking over the bar," and subsequently disputes arose about pushing from behind. Old records show that on one occasion, a protest was entered against a club winning on the ground that "a piece of string was used as the goal line instead of the ordinary wooden bar."
When the military forces of the Imperial Army were stationed at Hobart the soldiers used to play on the spot where the Hobart railway station at present stands. Those whose memories extend that far back say that the soldiers were terrors for football, and that it was no uncommon sight to see them returning to barracks with torn and tattered uniforms and blood-smeared faces. Of course, the soldiers played the English game [of Rugby] which used to account for their rough handling and treatment.
On a spot on Hampden Road, where the Model School now stands, football was played for many years on what was known as Butler's paddock. The clubs then in existence were Derwent, Stowell, and Break O' Day. As far back as 1864 a football club was formed at New Town. In 1875 the City Football Club was formed at a meeting held at Trafalgar Place, and next day the players met for practice at the parade ground, Military Barracks, a hard, gravelly place that left its marks on many of the players.
Mr C. Pike was the first captain of the City Club, and Mr A. D. Watchorn the first honorary secretary. Subsequently the City Football Club became the recognised football authority in Tasmania and at a meeting of the Oatlands Football Club in 1879 a resolution "to play under whatever rules were adopted by the City F.C." was carried. In April 1879, a meeting was held, when it was agreed to form a Railway Football Club to play under Victorian rules. Billy Cundy was the first captain, and Mr E. H. Chesterman the first hon. secretary and treasurer.
In the football history of Tasmania no contests ever created such interest as those between Railway and City, whose first meeting took place on the Battery Ground, Queen's Domain, on June 7, 1879, when Railway won by one goal to nothing.
The Hotham Club (Victoria) challenged the City Club to a match at Hobart, one of the conditions being that the match should take place in a "properly enclosed ground." Being unable to comply with this condition, the City Club had to decline the challenge.
Some attempt to bring Tasmanian footballers into line with those of the other Australian colonies was made in 1879. On June 12 of that year the first meeting of the Tasmanian Football Association was held, and the gentlemen who attended that meeting were H. Chapman (Cricketers) (chairman), W. Ross (Richmond), H. Wright (New Town), W. H. Cundy (Railway), W. A. Finlay (City), L. Y. Prior (High School), and Wheen (Hutchins School). Mr L. Y. Prior was appointed hon. secretary.
At the annual meeting of the Association in May 1884, the following resolution was carried: "That the laws as made at the conference of inter-colonial delegates, and which are styled laws of the Australian Game of Football, be adopted." Although efforts were subsequently made to depart from the terms of this resolution, they proved unsuccessful, and Tasmania has ever since closely adhered to the Australian game as played in Victoria. The island was represented at most of the conferences held for the purpose of revising and amending the laws of the game.
When the matches were played on the Battery ground on the Queen's Domain, all that was done to keep the crowd in check was the placing of a rope just outside the playing area, and for many seasons it acted admirably. Matches were also played on the old Cricket ground adjacent to the battery, and on one occasion the Cricketers Football Club, owing to the key of the cricket pavilion having been lost, held a meeting on the battery, the chairman (Mr G. S. Chapman) taking his position on a gun carriage "to consider whether the club should play under English or Australian rules."
In the year 1882 negotiations were concluded with the committee of the Southern Tasmanian Cricket Association to play on their new ground, and in 1885 the Football Association, at a cost of £650, secured a ground of its own at Cornelian Bay. It was during the time the matches were played at this latter place that football reached the zenith of its success, the club matches arousing unprecedented enthusiasm amongst immense crowds of people. But by 1897 the game had fallen in public esteem consequent upon rampant professionalism, and the mortgagees, foreclosing on the ground, the Football Association was unable to meet its liabilities, and the fine ground passed out of the hands of footballers, and is now used as a racecourse. In 1886—the first season the ground at Cornelian Bay was used for football—the takings amounted to £1,008 8s. 9d. From 1898 up till the present time football has taken place at the cricket ground.
The first match of an inter-colonial nature took place at Hobart on July 5, 1881, when South Tasmania beat Hotham (Victoria), captained by W. Dedman, by 3.15 to 2.16.
In the year 1887 a Tasmanian team of footballers, comprising seventeen from the North and eight from the South, visited Victoria under the captaincy of Billy Cundy. Victories were gained over Melbourne University (3.7 to 0.5), Ballarat (5.12 to 4.10), and Adelaide, S.A. (13.14 to 3.6). Defeats were administered by Victoria (7.15 to 4.6), and Melbourne (3.10 to 2.8). A drawn game was played with Essendon (2.7 each).
In the season of 1889 a team, consisting of players chosen entirely from Southern Tasmania, went across to Victoria and met with several reverses. In the inter-colonial contest Victoria kicked 6.9 to Southern Tasmania 1.6., St. Kilda won by 5.3 to 4.11, Williamstown scored 1.1 to 0.1, and Geelong kicked 10.15 to 2.5. The only match the South Tasmanians won was that against Melbourne; 10.12 to 0.2.
Matches between North and South Tasmania were initiated in 1883.
Football was first started in Launceston in the year 1867, and in 1879 the Launceston Football Club was formed, and in 1885 the Northern Tasmanian Football Association sprang into existence, the name of the Tasmanian Football Association at Hobart being then altered to that of Southern Tasmanian Football Association.
Tasmania has very great reason to be proud of the splendid footballers which she has supplied to Victoria. First and foremost Fred McGinis, the acknowledged champion of Australia, who played with the Melbourne Club. Other Tasmanians who achieved brilliant successes in Victoria were Colin Campbell, Leonard Webb, and George Vautin—all of whom played for Essendon—George Watt and R. Langford, who played for Collingwood; Vic Cumberland and Vic Barwick, who played for St Kilda, and Harry Edmondson, who is a smart forward for the Perth Club in West Australia.
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Footballers' reunion
Billy Cundy, the popular captain of that old Railway Football Club of Hobart, and the skipper of inter-state teams in the eighties, was entertained at a reunion social at the Highfield Hotel on Saturday night by his old club mates and admirers. Mr W. P. Brownell occupied the chair, and amongst the old-time footballers present were such well-known veterans as Messrs. L. H. Macleod, George Cheverton, Kenny Burn, G. Watt. W. Leitch, A. Floury, W. C. Sibley, F. O'Brien, T. Molloy, R. Kirby, and T. Mitchell. Besides these, the large gathering also included many other gentlemen associated with the guest during his sojourn in Hobart.
The proceedings were marked by the enthusiasm always displayed in a reunion of "sports," and throughout the evening the old footballers probed their memories to revive many incidents connected with football as played on the Domain 30 years ago. Many interesting reminiscences were told of how Billy Cundy "played the garnet" in the eighties.
"The old Battery ground, I remember, was up at one end and down at the other, and one side was also higher than the other," remarked one old player. "Yes, and there were some pretty nice stones there, too, for I remember getting a push from Billy Cundy which accounted for one of my front teeth," added another stalwart veteran. Memories of the past such as the above came from all parts of the room, and much merriment was caused by the recounting of old-time stories.
The Chairman, in his opening address, congratulated the committee on making such a gathering of old sports possible He extended a cordial welcome to Mr Cundy, the captain of the old Railway Club. He was one of the finest player of his time. They also felt pleased at having with them Sir George Davies, one of the best friends and patrons of manly sports that they ever had in Tasmania. (Hear, hear)
In the midst of a busy public life he had materially assisted all branches of sport. He noticed there were also present members of the old City, Holebrook, and Cricketers' Clubs, which, in conjunction with the Railway Club, upheld the prestige of Tasmanian football many years ago. It was very on enjoyable indeed to meet together in a social way to talk over old times and experiences, and he ventured to say that some of them would be egotistical enough to think they could yet give some good hints to the players of to-day (laughter).
Football was well played in the State 30 years ago, and they gave many a good account of themselves in interstate matches. Since giving up the active exercise of football many of them had assumed serious responsibilities in regard to citizenship, and he thought they would all agree with him when he said that a man was all the better equipped to carry out the duties of every-day life by reason of the fact that he had taken, or was still taking, an active part or interest in some form of manly, health-giving sport (hear, hear).
In a strenuous game such as football such qualities as courage, skill, endurance, and good temper were required to make a good player, and he had come to regard the field of sport as an excellent training around for acquiring those qualities which would be helpful to a man in gaining success in the battle of life in which they were all called upon to take part in some form or another (hear, hear).
He again expressed his great pleasure at being present and felt that everyone was equally glad to have the opportunity of again meeting Billy Cundy (Applause).
Sir George Davies, in proposing the boast of the evening, said he was glad to have had the opportunity of doing honour to an old sport, such as Mr Cundy. In days gone by they used to fight strenuous battles, not only in football, but in cricket also, and the young men were taught to play the game. That was done by some degree of sacrifice, and by having professional men to assist them.
That had ceased to exist as far as cricket was concerned, and unless something was done they would find that in that noble game Tasmania would never hold its own outside the State. He was sure that if the young men made some sacrifices, the old players would make equal sacrifices (hear, hear).
Football was a much more popular game than cricket because it was within the comprehension of the masses, and he would like to see something done to further popularise cricket.
They were proud to see Billy Cundy amongst them (Hear, hear). He had shown how the game of football should be played, and why? Because he always "played the game." (Hear, hear.) His success, not only as captain of the Railway Club, but also as leader of the Tasmanian team, was brought about by his tact and judgment and his unselfishness. He not only commanded the respect of those he captained, but he also held the respect of the public. There was no doubt in his mind, and his experience extended many years back, that the man who was a good sport was also a good fellow. (Hear, hear).
Although they were sorry when they lost him, they were equally delighted to know that he had had a successful career on the mainland. Unfortunately, young men had to leave Tasmania if they wanted success because they could not offer the same inducements as the larger States.
In conclusion, Sir George said that if he spoke for a month he could not say more than that they were delighted to see Mr Cundy amongst them again, and they hoped he might live many years to enjoy happiness and health and strength (Applause),
Mr Cundy, who was enthusiastically received, expressed great pleasure at meeting so many of his old friends. Those who had played in the old strenuous days of football had done a great deal in bringing the game to what if was to day. He was glad that, whatever reputation he had gained as a footballer was gained in Tasmania. After leaving Tasmania he captained the old Sandhurst (Victoria) team for three years and for two years this team was never beaten.
He had never forgotten the lessons in Tasmania, particularly one lesson taught him by his dear friend, Sir George. In the old days his (Mr Cundy's) watchwords were "Play for the ball" and he would say that in those days football was much better than it was to-day for the one reason that comradeship was always there. There was none of that shifty business they saw today (Hear, hear). In his day, if a man worked and played the game they were satisfied but if he wanted anything else he was not wanted. He again expressed his great delight at having been enabled to meet many of his old club comrades and friends (Applause).
Mr Charles Eady proposed the toast of "Old Players," and in the course of an interesting speech, bristling with reminiscences. He referred to the fact that the
question had been raised is to whether the old players were as good as the present day footballers. Although the game was played differently now he ventured the opinion that they would be able to convince them that the old teams had both weight and race (Hear, hear). There was undoubtedly better discipline in the old days, and the players had more regard to keeping their places on the field. There were three players who had never been surpassed, and they were Billy Cundy, T. Bagley, and Kenny Burn (Hear, hear).
Sir H. Macleod was the first to respond. He remarked that Billy Cundv was his ideal of what a footballer ought to be. He always went for the ball and nearly always got it (Laughter). Not only was he a great footballer, but a master of men, and could captain a team and still play a brilliant game. From 1879 to 1887 he was closely associated with their old friend and it gave him great pleasure to see him amongst them that night (Applause).
Messrs D. B. Johns (first chairman of the Railway Club), George Cheverton, T. Molloy, T. Witt, R. Kiroy, Kenny Burn, W. Leitch, T Mitchell, and A. Fleury also responded, and for over an hour those assembled were treated to a wholesale recital of interesting and amusing reminiscences.
The other toasts honoured were "Success to the Tasmanian team at Adelaide," “The Entertainers”, and “The Press”.
A musical programme was contributed to by Messrs Crooks, G. Cherry, O. B. Johns and C. B. Dawson, while Mr C. Addison gave an exhibition of legerdemain [magic tricks]. The reunion was arranged by a committee consisting of Messrs Burn, Leitch, Cheverton, Watt, and Mitchell, with Mr H. R. Robertson as hon. secretary.
Footnotes
Title: The game in the olden days
Author: The Mercury Staff Writer
Publisher: The Mercury (Hobart, TAS: 1860-1954)
Date: Monday 24 July 1911, p.7 (Article)
Date: Monday, 31 July 1911, p.7 (Article)
Comments
Jim McBride 19 August 2015
great article, it is fascinating to read about Tasmanian football origins and history. Something we don't hear much about
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