The rise of Brighton
In 41 years in the VFA, Brighton has risen from an obscure club which had not won a premiership until last year to its present position of challenging for the title again this season.
Before joining the VFA in 1908 the team representing Brighton district was a member of the Metropolitan Association. In those days Albert Thurgood, Jack Montz, Jack Webb, Jack Alley, L. McPherson, W. Robinson, W. Alley, Hugh Purse, and Andy Cronie were the team’s stars. Many of these became famous with League clubs later. Another star about that time was J. Kennedy, now Minister for Public Works. He was a clever centre-man.
Brighton did not have any great measure of success between 1910 and 1920. In that period key men transferred to League sides. "Jiggy" Harris went to Collingwood, Gordon Dangerfield to St Kilda, "Bun" Armstrong to Geelong, and Bruce Sloss to South Melbourne.
Success came to the side in 1926 when Gordon Rattray (left) transferred from Fitzroy to become captain and coach. He was the first coach to get the side into a grand final, and it was runner-up that year to Coburg. Next year it was runner-up to Coburg again. Until 1926 the club's ground was at Brighton Beach, but the smallness of the arena near the railway line forced a change to Elsternwick Park.
One of the old chestnuts of the club is told about a game on the Beach ground. In the early '20's Tom Callow, a Brighton player, is reputed to have "kicked" the longest kick in the world there. He kicked the ball out of the ground into a passing train. The train took the ball to Sandringham. When the train was returning to the city the guard threw it back into the ground. The "kick" had travelled six miles.
About the 1926 period the side's champion full forward was Jim Walsh. Other names were "Kanga" Hunt, centre half-back, who leapt like a kangaroo; Joe Garcia, back pocket; and Stan Mitchell, rover. A few years later George Beswick and Bill Borland shone as rovers and Harold Dainty and Gil Johnston were ace back men. After a mediocre period Brighten came back into the limelight in 1938, when Alan Fitcher, captain and coach, made it runner-up to Brunswick. Stars about then were Ernie Penny, rover; Geoff Webber, wing; and Cec Williamson, wing.
Fitcher stayed only the year, and was replaced by Jack Davis, who came from St Kilda. At that period Keith Miller, Test cricketer, had his introduction to senior football on the side's half-back line. He later went to St Kilda. Other outstanding men then were Jack Rector and Jack Connell.
Two of the club's players won important awards about this time. In 1939 P. Hartnett won the Recorder Cup, and in 1940 Jack Davis won it.
In a lean period in subsequent years, Fred Fraude came from Collingwood as captain and coach in 1942, and in 1945 Jim Halloran took over after transferring from Fitzroy. In 1942 Harry "Soapy" Vallance transferred from Williamstown. He stayed two years. Eric Plunket, Tom New, and Rus Mclndoe; stars in today's side, were beginning their careers.
In 1946 the club changed its colours. Until then the club's guernsey was white with red cuffs. The change was made to its present colour because the white dirtied too easily.
The lowest score the club ever kicked was in 1909 when Footscray defeated it 7-10 to 0-3.
In 1947, the present coach, Colin Williamson (left) was appointed after transferring from St Kilda. Last year he led the side to its first premiership. Men prominent in that side who have passed on from the club now are Alan Stretton (ruck), Doublas (rover); and Rose (full back). Russel Mclndoe also won the J. J. Liston Trophy for the VFA's best and fairest.
This year Brighton is one of the most financial clubs in the Association, and it has prospects of winning another premiership. At least coach Williamson says they'll win it.
Editor's Note: Brighton went down by 15 points to Oakleigh in the Preliminary Final one week later.
Footnotes
Title: Brighton has risen over the years Author: GEOFF CLANCY Publisher: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Date: Saturday 17 September 1949 Supplement Link: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/22779340?
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