Umpire Coffey looks back
Dipping into the football history of South Australia who among the old-time players does not remember Frank Coffey, the leading umpire of those days? He was a great umpire. Indeed, he was looked upon as the Jack Trait of this State, and no higher compliment could be paid.
Fifty-eight years ago [1863] Mr Coffey was born in Victoria. From the early age of seven he followed the Carlton colours, and as time rolled on he developed into one of their most chronic one-eyed barrackers—of the type that flourishes to this day. Mr Coffey was honest enough to admit that when the Mail man sought a chat with the veteran referee.
But he did more than just barrack with one eye. He got to love the popular pastime so intensely that he wanted to expend some of that superfluous lung power in the direction of playing the game, and next he is seen in the arena. He appeared first in the half-back lines for the North Park Club in Melbourne, playing with men like Tracker Forbes, George Stuckey, and Harry Todd. Then he was promoted, to the Hotham (North Melbourne) Club in 1882, and four years later joined that grand old team of honoured tradition, Carlton.
All this was splendid experience for Mr Coffey, who never missed an opportunity to study the tactics and art of that prince of Australian umpires, Trait. Next he is seen as an umpire, for several years performing the duties of that office in Victoria.
It was in 1895 that he was selected by the South Australian Football Association, when Mr W. G. Coombs was its chairman, to come to this State under agreement to umpire. His fee at the time was three guineas, match or no match, and for many years he acquitted himself with distinction. In later days Mr Coffey transferred to Western Australia, where he also earned a wide reputation as a competent and impartial umpire.
“When I look back to my umpire days in South Australia,” said Mr Coffey, “my mind quickly recalls the kind treatment I received from the public. I never had any trouble except a few boo-hoos that one must always expect, and without which an umpire would feel that something were wrong.”
Present-day umpiring
What is your view of the umpiring today?
“The umpires have my sympathy,” Mr Coffey promptly replied, betraying that ‘fellow-feeling that makes us wondrous kind’;
“I don't profess to be much of a judge of the profession, but I may be permitted to say one or two things. I think they should stop so much kicking and forcing the ball wilfully out of bounds. They should also keep down unduly rough or foul play. An umpire should make up his mind when a man is badgering him through a game—as some old players attempt to do with younger umpires—to bring him before the League, and the League should support the umpire to the utmost.”
How would you improve the present umpire system?
“I would get a man like Phil Kneebone, one of the best umpires South Australia has had, a man with determination of character, and appoint him coach. On one night a week he could, if he were willing to act, get the umpires together, chat over ideas, and discuss the rules and regulations, and endeavour to produce uniformity in their decisions.”
Do you think the game has improved since your day?
“No. From a spectacular point of view it was just as good twenty or thirty years ago. The wing [boundary] umpires have made it a bit faster, but it is no cleaner. The rules have been altered a lot without improvement to the game, though I think it still stands out as the king of winter pastimes. In fact, from a spectator's viewpoint it is high above all other games. I am pleased to see eight teams in the field, and I consider Glenelg has done well for the first year. I have a suspicion that at times some players are over-trained, which is as bad as being under-trained. The best team that played under me was South Adelaide of 1895-6. It was invincible.”
Early Victorian giants
Who were the giants in your time?
“Among the Carltons, Jack Gardiner, afterwards a member of Parliament, first comes to mind. He was wonderfully good at running with the ball either on the wing or half-back. Burly George Robertson (about 17 st.) was an astonishingly agile man for his size, and one of the most solid players for Carlton. Billy Dedman was a famous goal-sneak who afterwards played in South Australia. Billy Goers was one of the trickiest performers of his time, and Paddy Gunn was a little wonder as a rover. He was only about 10 st., but he feared no man. Topsy Waldron and his brother were two of Carlton's best. Topsy had a style all his own. He was remarkably good at twisting and dodging, and the most elusive player I have ever seen. George Kennedy and his brother Kirk were also two great, exponents of the game. They migrated to South Australia and played for South Adelaide. George was elected captain in the days of that great statesman Charlie Kingston, who was himself a bit of a footballer, though too big and bulky to come into the front rank.”
“Of the famous stars who played for the Melbourne Club there was Harrison, the father of the Australian game, and one of the fleetest men who ever ran with a ball. Toppy Longden was a good follower and a manly player. A man named Benny, who played a lovely game, was the only man I have ever seen wearing glasses on the field. Lou Suhard had a burly style and came through with brilliant rushes. Subsequently he stripped for Norwood, in which team he has also been represented by a son. The Baker brothers were fine footballers, too. South Australians of the early days will remember Jammy Watson, that great follower, who also played for Norwood. He met an untimely end at sea through falling overboard. Another player who cannot be left out is Bob Absolom of North Melbourne, who afterwards donned the South Adelaide guernsey. He was one of the best all-round athletes in Victoria and South Australia. Joe Traynor, yet another old Hotham player, years later stripped for Norwood. He was one of the fairest players who ever touched a ball."
South Australian stars
Who were South Australia's best?
“The late Bunny Daly was the finest I player I have seen up to recent days. Other great men were Jack Mack (Port) and Jack Holbrook (Norwood), the coolest players I have ever known. More early-time champions were Welshy Davis (Port follower), Alby Green (Norwood rover), and Alf Marlow (South back man, a brother of Frank Marlow, the present League secretary). Jacky Samuels (Port rover) was exceedingly clever, and Vince Covacivich was a splendid Port follower. Teddy Strawns was another Port player, who was good anywhere.
Alf Grayson, Joe Travers and Joe Darling were three sturdy back men for Norwood when I came over. At that time Bos Daly was blooming into a formidable goalkicker who required much watching to keep him under. One of the smartest wingman was Arthur Goode of South and for the same team Freddy May and Jack Kay proved themselves champion footballers and long kicks. Tommy MacKenzie of Torrens and North was a replica of Bunny Daly. All the men I have mentioned played under me.”
What of those whom you have watched from the pickets?
"In my opinion the finest footballer in Australia today is Dan Moriarty of South. He is a wonder, and I don’t know how he does it. His aim is always the ball. Harry [Vic] Cumberland and Tom Leahy stand alone as followers. Cumberland was a brilliant footballer and Leahy was always predominant as a follower. Other followers of note were Essie [Essington] and Lance Lewis of Norwood and the late Hermann Kruss of South. Two champions were Bert Renfrey of Sturt and….[illegible]…an ostrich stride had Renfrey. He could clear the field from one end to the other and cover more ground than any two men."
Recollections of these famous men came tumbling from Mr Coffey’s mind as he recounted the football episodes of other days. Mr Coffey was not ony a competent umpire, but having been a player himself he was a good judge of a footballer.
“A man who can’t stand a bump”, he said, “ought to get out of the game”.
Footnotes
Title: Football stars. Umpire Coffey looks back
Author: The Mail Staff Writer
Publisher: The Mail (Adelaide, SA: 1912-1954)
Date: Saturday, 3 September 1921, p.3
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