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Coburg Amateurs Football Club

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For the present-day Victorian Football League and VAFA Women's club, see Coburg Football Club.
Coburg Amateurs
Names
Full nameCoburg Amateurs Football Club
Nickname(s)Swans
1987 D Section season
Home-and-away season10th
Club details
Founded1920s[1]
Dissolved1988; 36 years ago (1988)
Colours  Blue   Red
CompetitionMJFL (1928−34)
VAFA (1935−40; 1942−87)
EDFL (1941)
PremiershipsVAFA A Section (1)
VAFA B Section (2)
VAFA C Section (2)
VAFA D Section (2)
Ground(s)De Chene Reserve, Coburg[2][3]
Uniforms
Home

The Coburg Amateurs Football Club, nicknamed the Swans, was an Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Coburg.[4][5]

The club's most successful period was the 1930s, where they won two premierships and were runners-up in another four grand finals. They won senior premierships in the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) in every decade that followed (excluding the 1940s), but struggled after 1982 and eventually folded in 1988.[6]

History

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Early years

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Coburg Amateurs was formed in the 1920s and first competed in the A Grade of the Northern District Football Association (NDFA) in 1928.[7][8] The club made the finals series in 1929, but were defeated by Richmond United in the semi-final.[9]

The NDFA was renamed to the Metropolitan Junior Football League (MJFL) in 1930, and Coburg was defeated by Richmond United in the grand final later that year.[10][11] In 1931, Coburg defeated Richmond United in the semi-final, but was defeated by West Brunswick in the grand final.[12][13]

In its final season in the MJFL, Coburg was defeated by South Kensington in the 1934 grand final.[14][15]

VAFA

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Coburg Amateurs logo in 1986

Coburg left the MJFL to join the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) in 1935.[16] Its first VAFA premiership was won in D Section in 1936, which was followed by a C Section premiership in 1937.[17][18]

After the VAFA suspended competition in 1940 because of the Second World War, Coburg joined the Essendon District Football League (EDFL) for the 1941 season.[19] The club returned to VAFA affiliation in 1942 and resumed playing in 1946.[1][20] The club also affiliated with Moreland Amateurs, which entered the VAFA in 1949.[21]

Coburg made the 1970 A Section Grand Final, but despite being seen as favourites going into the match and finishing strongly, they were defeated by Caulfield Grammarians by two points.[22]

In its final season in 1987, Coburg only won a single game, finishing last on the D Section ladder. The club went into recess before the 1988 season began, and folded shortly after.[23][24]

Honours

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Premierships

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Division Level Wins Years won
A Section Seniors 1 1969
Reserves 1 1976
B Section Seniors 2 1955, 1963
C Section Seniors 2 1937, 1952
Reserves 1 1982
D Section Seniors 2 1936, 1981
Reserves 1 1981
Junior 2 Juniors 2 1973, 1979

Leading VAFA goalkickers

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Seasons

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Premiers Grand Finalist Minor premiers Finals appearance Wooden spoon Division leading goalkicker Division best and fairest

Seniors

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Year League Division Finish W L D Coach Captain Best and fairest Leading goalkicker Ref
1928 NDFA A Grade
1929 NDFA A Grade
1930 MJFL A Grade
1931 MJFL A Grade
1932 MJFL A Grade
1933 MJFL A Grade
1934 MJFL A Grade
1935 VAFA D Section 4th
1936 VAFA D Section
1937 VAFA C Section 1st 0 0 J. Plunkett 99
1938 VAFA B Section Stan McDonald [26]
1939 VAFA A Section 4th
1940 VAFA A Section [27]
1941 EDFL
1942 VAFA (No season due to World War II)
1943 VAFA (No season due to World War II)
1944 VAFA (No season due to World War II)
1945 VAFA (No season due to World War II)
1946 VAFA A Section
1947 VAFA A Section 4th
1948 VAFA A Section [28]
1949 VAFA
1950 VAFA
1951 VAFA B Section
1952 VAFA C Section
1953 VAFA
1954 VAFA B Section 3rd
1955 VAFA B Section 1st
1956 VAFA A Section
1957 VAFA
1958 VAFA
1959 VAFA B Section 3rd K. C. O'Brien 41
1960 VAFA I.J. Merrick
1961 VAFA
1962 VAFA B Section 3rd
1963 VAFA B Section Peter Scanlon
1964 VAFA A Section
1965 VAFA A Section
1966 VAFA A Section 3rd
1967 VAFA A Section Alan Salter [29]
1968 VAFA A Section Alan Salter Rod McFarlane 54
1969 VAFA A Section Alan Salter Norman Beattie Rod McFarlane 70
1970 VAFA A Section Alan Salter Norman Beattie Rod McFarlane 105 [3]
1971 VAFA A Section 4th Alan Salter John Douglas
1972 VAFA A Section 4th Alan Salter [30]
1973 VAFA A Section
1974 VAFA A Section 3rd
1975 VAFA A Section Graham Warfe[31]
1976 VAFA A Section
1977 VAFA A Section Lance Riky C. V. Cunningham [32]
1978 VAFA
1979 VAFA
1980 VAFA C Section 9th 4 14 0 [33]
1981 VAFA D Section Rod McFarlane[34]
1982 VAFA C Section
1983 VAFA B Section 9th 6 12 0 [35]
1984 VAFA B Section 9th 4 14 0 [31]
1985 VAFA C Section 10th 4 14 0 [36]
1986 VAFA D Section 6th 9 8 1 John Taylor[37] [38]
1987 VAFA D Section 10th 1 17 0 John Maloney[39] [40]

Grand finals

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Premiers Runners-up Drawn
Year League Division Grade Opponent Score Venue Date Report
1930 MJFL A Grade Seniors Richmond United 8.7 (55) d. 7.7 (49) 6 September 1930 [11]
1931 MJFL A Grade Seniors West Brunswick 7.12 (54) d. 4.8 (32) Motordrome 10 October 1931 [13]
1934 MJFL A Grade Seniors South Kensington 7.11 (53) d. 3.10 (28) September 1934 [14]
1936 VAFA D Section Seniors Footscray TSOB 18.19 (127) d. 15.8 (98) [7]
1937 VAFA C Section Seniors Footscray TSOB 22.24 (156) d. 10.6 (66) [7]
1938 VAFA B Section Seniors Old Melburnians 13.10 (88) d. 12.10 (82) [7]
1952 VAFA C Section Seniors Elsternwick 7.16 (58) d. 4.11 (35) [41]
1955 VAFA B Section Seniors Old Scotch 10.12 (72) d. 8.2 (50) [7]
1956 VAFA A Section Seniors Ivanhoe 6.14 (50) d. 5.12 (42) [42]
1963 VAFA B Section Seniors UHSOB 9.15 (69) d. 7.13 (55) [7]
1965 VAFA A Section Seniors University Blacks 17.12 (114) d. 10.5 (65) [42]
1969 VAFA A Section Seniors Ormond 13.17 (95) d. 12.12 (84) [42]
1970 VAFA A Section Seniors Caulfield Grammarians 14.8 (102) d. 15.10 (100) [42]
1976 VAFA D Section Reserves North Old Boys 12.18 (90) d. 7.13 (55) 18 September 1976 [43]
1979 VAFA Section 2 Juniors Kew 14.15 (99) d. 11.15 (81) 15 September 1979 [3]
1981 VAFA D Section Seniors West Brunswick 17.12 (114) d. 3.4 (22) [44]
1981 VAFA D Section Reserves West Brunswick 15.7 (97) d. 13.8 (86) [7]
1982 VAFA C Section Seniors Old Camberwell 17.20 (122) d. 11.7 (73) [7]
1982 VAFA C Section Reserves Hampton Rovers 12.8 (80) d. 10.7 (67) [45]

Notable players

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References

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  1. ^ a b "COBURG AMATEURS". Australian Football. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Coburg Grounds Allotted". Trove. The Sun News-Pictorial. 23 April 1935. Retrieved 20 July 2024. De Chene Reserve, Bell Street: Coburg Amateur Football Club, Presbyterian Football Club
  3. ^ a b c "The Amateur Footballer Week 3 1980" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Coburg Amateurs To Train". Trove. The Herald. 26 March 1938. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  5. ^ "BRUNSWICK VS. COBURG AMATEURS". Brunswick Football Club. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Vintage Coburg Amateur Football Club Badge 1965". ebay.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "Coburg Amateur Football Club (Vic)". Footypedia. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  8. ^ "NORTHERN DISTRICTS' ASSOCIATION". Trove. The Age. 6 September 1929. Retrieved 20 July 2024. Keilor v. Coburg Amateurs, to be played at Keilor
  9. ^ "NORTHERN DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION". The Age. 16 September 1929. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Northern Districts Association". Trove. The Argus. 26 February 1930. Retrieved 20 July 2024. At the annual meeting of the Northern Districts Association it was unanimously to change the name of the federation to the Metropolitan Junior Football League
  11. ^ a b "METROPOLITAN JUNIOR LEAGUE". Trove. The Age. 8 September 1930. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  12. ^ "METROPOLITAN JUNIOR LEAGUE". Trove. The Age. 5 October 1931. Retrieved 20 July 2024. The first grade final between Richmond and Coburg Amateurs was played on the Exhibition oval, the result being in Coburg's favor by 31 points
  13. ^ a b "METROPOLITAN JUNIOR LEAGUE". Trove. The Age. 12 October 1931. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Victorian Junior League Grand-Final". Trove. Sporting Globe. 29 September 1934. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  15. ^ "KFJSC: A POTTED HISTORY". Kensington Flemington Junior Sports Club. Archived from the original on 16 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024. South Kensington had a meteoric career: formed in 1930 and sponsored by local bookmaker Harry Youlden, it won the Metropolitan Junior League A grade flag three years running (1932-34)
  16. ^ "Previous VAFA Clubs". Victorian Amateur Football Association. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  17. ^ "Coburg Amateurs". Trove. The Age. 11 March 1938.
  18. ^ "George Ross". Tigerland Archive. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  19. ^ "ESSENDON DISTRICT". Trove. The Age. 14 July 1941. Retrieved 20 July 2024. Coburg Amateurs 8-19 d. Fawkner District 3-18
  20. ^ "SIX OVALS FOR SEMI-FINALS". Trove. The Age. 14 August 1946. Retrieved 20 July 2024. With two wins In a row, Coburg has assured itself of remaining in A grade.
  21. ^ "Good Draw For First Matches". Trove. The Herald. 21 April 1949. Retrieved 20 July 2024. Moreland Amateurs (affiliated with Coburg Amateurs)
  22. ^ "Caulfield by two points". The Age. 14 September 1970. p. 17. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  23. ^ "The Amateur Footballer, Week 1, 1988". Issuu. VAFA Media. 17 January 2017. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024.
  24. ^ "A BRIEF HISTORY" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. 9 April 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  25. ^ "The Amateur Footballer Week 4 1977" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. 7 May 1977. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Coburg Amateurs". Trove. The Age. 11 March 1938. Retrieved 20 July 2024. The club was fortunate in its coach, Stan McDonald.
  27. ^ "AMATEUR SIDES TO FINISH". The Herald. 21 June 1940. p. 16. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Cohurg's Vital Amateur Game". Trove. The Herald. 8 July 1948. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  29. ^ "The Amateur Footballer Week 2 1987" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. 11 April 1987. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  30. ^ Rundle, Noel (9 July 1977). "The Amateur Footballer Week12 1977" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2024. 'A' Section coaches were John Caspars (Caulfield Gramm.), Alan Salter (Coburg)
  31. ^ a b "The Amateur Footballer Week 2 1985" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. 12 April 1985. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  32. ^ "The Amateur Footballer Week 2 1977" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. 23 April 1977. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  33. ^ "The Amateur Footballer Week 22 1980" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. 7 September 1980. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  34. ^ "Division 1 Grand Finals". Victorian Amateur Football Association. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  35. ^ "The Amateur Footballer Week 20 1983" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. 27 August 1983. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  36. ^ "The Amateur Footballer Week 21 1985" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  37. ^ "The Amateur Footballer, Week 4, 1986". Issuu. VAFA Media. 18 January 2017. p. 10. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  38. ^ "The Amateur Footballer, Week 22, 1986". Issuu. VAFA Media. 18 January 2017. Archived from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  39. ^ "The Amateur Footballer Week 10 1987" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. 20 June 1987. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  40. ^ "The Amateur Footballer Week 23 1987" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2024.
  41. ^ "Premier C Section Grand Finals". Victorian Amateur Football Association. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  42. ^ a b c d "Premier Men's Grand Finals". Victorian Amateur Football Association. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  43. ^ "The Amateur Footballer Week 1 1977" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. 16 April 1977. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  44. ^ "The Amateur Footballer Week 1 1982" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. 17 April 1982. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  45. ^ "The Amateur Footballer Week 1 1983" (PDF). 9 April 1983. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  46. ^ Noakes, Cameron (5 June 2024). "Beloved football commentator Ross Booth dies, aged 72". 7NEWS. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024.
  47. ^ "Almanac Footy (History) – Jack Mueller: The Power of One". The Footy Almanac. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024. Godfrey (ex-Coburg Amateurs VAFA) played just eight games for Essendon before enlisting in the Second AIF.
  48. ^ Eddie Williams; Floss Adams (28 June 2024). "Australia's oldest footballer, Neil Rainbow, still playing at 76 for Bega-Tathra in AFL Sapphire Coast comp". ABC News. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024. After years representing school teams and suburban junior sides, Rainbow said he received interest from VFL and VFA clubs before ultimately joining Coburg amateurs.
  49. ^ "Vale Alan Salter". Victorian Amateur Football Association. 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  50. ^ "Robert Walls". Blueseum. 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
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