Violet Town Football Club
The club is currently part of the Kyabram District Football and Netball League (KDFNL) and has four football teams: Seniors, Reserves, Under 18's and Under 14's.
The club recently won an Under 18's premiership in 2023, having gone undefeated all season. The club has also amalgamated with the Violet Town netball club to become the Violet Town Football and Netball Club Inc.
History
Violet Town Football Club is an Australian football club which was established in 1880 and has won 15 football premierships in various Australian rules football leagues.
One of the first recorded Australian Rules football matches for Violet Town was a contest against Euroa on Saturday, 19 July 1884 in Violet Town, with J. Clancy as captain,[1] with Euroa, 4.15 - 39 defeating Violet Town 0.5 - 5.[2]
In 1904, the club colors were a navy blue guernsey, blue pants and maroon stockings.[3]
In 1943, Violet Town defeated Euroa in the grand final of the Slap Dash Knockout Football Competition.[4][5]
In 1949, Violet Town's Bruce Smith kicked 99 goals for the season, which included five goals in their grand final victory against Strathbogie.[6]
Football Leagues Timelines
- 1880 to 1895: No official competition matches, but the club did play many matches against other local clubs.
- 1896 to 1898: North East Football Association
- 1899 to 1902: ?
- 1903 to 1904: Euroa District Football Association[7]
- 1905: Violet Town Football Association
- 1906 to 1907: ?
- 1908 to 1912 : Violet Town Wednesday Football Association
- 1913 to 1914: Euroa District Football Association. 1913 Premiers: Gooram FC,[8] 1914 Premiers: Gooram d Violet Town[9]
- 1915 to 1918: Club in recess due to WW1, but local junior football was played in and around the Violet Town area.
- 1919: Euroa District Football Association[10] 1919 Premiers: Gooram d Violet Town[11]
- 1920 to 1921: North East Football Association[12] 1920[13] & 1921[14] Premiers: Benalla Rovers
- 1922: Club in recess.[15]
- 1923 to 1935: Euroa District Football Association
- 1936 to 1940: Tatong / Thoona Football Association
- 1944 to 1945: Euroa District Football Association
- 1946 to 1947: Benalla & District Football League
- 1948 to 1949: Euroa District Football Association
- 1950 to 1966: Benalla Tungamah Football League
- 1967 to 1977: Tungamah Football League
- 1978 to 2005: Benalla & District Football League
- 2006 to present day: Kyabram District Football League
Location
Violet Town is located in North Eastern Victoria, Australia; the town is found on the route between Melbourne and Albury and is approximately 180 km north-north-east of Melbourne and is between Euroa and Benalla and is bypassed by the Hume Freeway (and former Hume Highway) which are found to the south.
Football Premierships
- Seniors
- Violet Town Football Association (J D Nicholls Cup, Farmer's Arm Hotel)[16]
- 1911 - Violet Town: 3.12 - 30 d Karramomus: 2.9 - 21[17]
- North Eastern Football Association
- 1923 - Violet Town: 6.9 - 45 d Longwood: 4.10 - 34[18][19]
- Euroa District Football Association
- 1927 - Violet Town: 10.4 - 64 d Longwood: 7.6 - 48[20]
- 1928 - Violet Town: d Longwood: by five points.[21]
- Tatong & Thoona Football Association
- 1938 - Violet Town: 17.15 - 117 d Benalla All Blacks: 12.11 - 83[22]
- 1939 - Violet Town: 12.15 - 87 d Tatong: 4.6 - 30
- Euroa District Football Association
- 1944 - Violet Town d Euroa
- 1948 - Violet Town d
- 1949 - Violet Town: 13.11 - 89 d Strathbogie: 5.6 - 36[23]
- Benalla Tungamah Football League
- 1960, 1961
- Benalla & District Football League
- 1982, 1987, 1990
- Kyabram District Football League
- 2012[24][25]
- Reserves
- ?
- Under 18's
- Kyabram & District Football League
- 2007, 2023 (undefeated premiers and champions)
Football Runners up
- Seniors
- Euroa District Football Association
- 1919 - Gooram: 5.14 - 44 d Violet Town: 3.8 - 26[26]
- 1934 - Longwood: 7.16 - 58 d Violet Town: 3.10 - 28[27]
- Tatong / Thoona Football Association
- 1936 - Benalla All Blacks: 12.24 - 96 d Violet Town: 10.12 - 72
- 1937 - Benalla All Blacks: 13.9 - 87 d Violet Town: 10.14 - 74
- 1940 - Benalla All Blacks: 13.9 - 87 d Violet Town: 9.5 - 39
- Benalla & District Football League
- 1946 - Benalla 2nds: 12.17 - 89 d Violet Town: 12.11 - 83[28]
- 1991 - Thornton-Eildon: 19.9 - 123 d Violet Town: 6.10 - 46
- Benalla Tungamah Football League
- 1952 - Benalla 2nds: 13.12 - 90 d Violet Town: 11.16 - 82[29][30]
- 1959 - Mulwala: 12.16 - 88 d Violet Town: 6.10 -46
Violet Town Football Association
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Violet_Town_Football_Club_%281908%29.jpg/200px-Violet_Town_Football_Club_%281908%29.jpg)
Established in 1907, the Violet Town Football Association ran between 1905 and 1911, with the following clubs participating - Baddaginnie, Benalla Gymnasium (blue & white colours), Caniambo West, Euroa, Gooram, Karramomos, Strathbogie and Violet Town.
- Premiers / Grand Finals
- 1905 - Caniambo West: 4.12 - 36 d Baddaginnie: 2.6 - 18[31]
- 1906 & 1907: This football competition appears to be in recess.
- 1908 - Benalla Gymnasium: 9.14 - 68 d Euroa: 3.11 - 29[32][33]
- 1909 - Baddaginnie: 6.8 - 44 d Euroa: 4.10 - 34[34][35]
- 1910 - Baddaginnie: 9.11 - Euroa: 5.6 - 36[36]
- 1911 - Violet Town: 3.12 - 30 d Karramomos: 2.9 - 21[37]
Team Song
The team song has three official verses. They are as follows:
We're a happy team at Violet Town We're the mighty flying town. One for all, and all for one The way we play at Towners, we are the mighty flying Town. There are times when you'll see us, busting our guts! There are times when you'll wish that, you'd never known us! There are times when you'll know That we're really made of gold We are the boys from Violet Town. You'll see us in the finals, you'll see us do or die. We'll fight and fight forever, To see the banner fly. Are we good? Are we good? Are we any bloody good? We are the boys from Violet Town!
Cult Figures
- Gary 'Boyo' Abley
Boyo is the seniors' games leader and the primary groundsman for the palace on Tulip Street. Boyo is an absolute legend, with a trophy room so large it could have its own postcode. You are not a towner until Boyo himself has referred to you as 'boyo'.
- Matthew 'Pres' Holmes
Holmesy could be said to be the walls of the Violet Town Football Club, as he fought for the club's survival, and has exponentially grown the club into the blossoming association it is today. Barack Obama was once compared to Matthew Holmes.
- Michael 'Mad Mick' McLaughlin
Mick is the father of all trainers and is so good that he appears in 155 club rooms across Victoria alone. Mick has dedicated over 600 Saturdays to the club, translating to approximately 2000 games, which is truly mind-boggling considering Mick is only 21 years old.
- Ryan 'Hyphen' Lloyd-Williams
Known as the manliest man to ever live, Gary Ablett Snr once referred to Hyphen as the "toughest bloke he'd ever heard of." Hyphen recently reached his 50 senior game milestone, which is a credit to Hyphen for not being permanently suspended yet (due to his MMA style of play on the football field). Mr Lloyd-Williams is so hard at the ball that he allegedly was decapitated one day on his way through a pack. Despite this minor injury, hyphen continued to plough through anyone in his way, regaining his cranium and kicking the goal. Opposing wingmen cower in fear when they see Mr Lloyd-Williams line up against them, and beg for mercy when the ball is within a 100 metre radius of them.
- Ryan 'Legs' Jennings
Renowned for his John Williamson karaoke and his eye-catching dance moves, Mr. Jenning's claim to fame was his touching quote "Not bad, ya shelf?" This amazing lyricism and obvious poetic skill is also why Legs is a premiership assistant coach, and even captain of the senior side.
- Nathan 'Shredder' Abley
Son of Gary and nephew of Shane, Nathan (A.K.A Schooner Abley) is more than just a mustache. Mr Shredder is considered a 'pocket rocket', having once beaten Riley Kego in a time trial. Wheels is also an exceptional sword fighter, where his opponents are commonly heard crying and saying "no fair, his is bigger than mine!" Shredder bleeds Towner blood, and everyone, even Hyphen (who has no feelings except rage) love the beer sinking legend.
- Ashton 'Triffo' Hillaire
Some may know him as the Under 18's co-coach of 2022, or others may know him as the driver of that noisy Subaru. However you know him, Triffo is the fastest football player you've ever seen. Having once run a sub 1-minute marathon, Triffo once tore his hamstring. Within the same season, Triffo also broke a couple of ribs. You know what that means? The footy gods are so scared of Ashton Hillaire that they need to injure him in order to restrain his running abilities.
- Josh Mellington
External links
- Official Kyabram and District Football League Website
- 1923 - North East Football Association Premiers: Violet Town team photo
- v
- t
- e
References
- ^ "1884 - Violet Town Mems". Euroa Advertiser and Violet Town, Longwood, Avenel, Strathbogie, Balmattam and Miepoll Gazette (Vic). 18 July 1884. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "1884 - Ourselves". Euroa Advertiser (Vic). 25 July 1884. p. 2. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "1904 - Violet Town FC". The Violet Town Sentinel (Vic). 15 April 1904. p. 2. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "1943 - SLAP-DASH PREMIERSHIP: VIOLET TOWN WINS". The Violet Town Sentinel (Vic). 28 September 1943. p. 3. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ "1943 - Final: Violet d Euroa". The Violet Town Sentinel (Vic). 28 September 1943. p. 3. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ "1949 - VIOLET TOWN PREMIERS OF EUROA DISTRICT ASSOCIATION". Benalla Ensign (Vic. : 1938 - 1954). 23 September 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "1903 - Football". Euroa Advertiser (Vic). 29 May 1903. p. 4. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "1913 - Gooram win premiership". Euroa Advertiser (Vic). 29 August 1913. p. 5. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "1914 - Gooram too good for Violet Town". The Violet Town Sentinel (Vic). 25 August 1914. p. 3. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "1919 - Longwood v Avenel". Euroa Advertiser (Vic). 13 June 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "1919 - Gooram defeat Violet Town". The Violet Town Sentinel (Vic). 23 September 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "1920 - Euroa Advertiser (Vic)". Euroa Advertiser (Vic). 16 April 1920. p. 4. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "1920 - BENALLA ROVERS WIN FINAL MATCH". Euroa Advertiser (Vic). 3 September 1920. p. 3. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "1921 - Rovers Win the Premiership". Benalla Standard (Vic). 6 September 1921. p. 3. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "1922 - Euroa". The Age. 12 May 1922. p. 7. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "1912 - J D Nicholls: Obituary". Corryong Courier (Vic). 8 February 1912. p. 2. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "1911 - Country Football". The Age (Melbourne, Vic). 21 August 1911. p. 11. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "1923 - Country Football: Violet Town". The Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic). 27 August 1923. p. 18. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "1923 - Violet Town". The Age (Melbourne, Vic). 21 August 1923. p. 14. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "1927 - VIOLET TOWN PREMIERS". Benalla Standard (Vic). 16 August 2024. p. 6. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "1928 - Country Football:". The Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic). 3 September 1928. p. 35. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "1938 - VIOLET TOWN WINS PREMIERSHIP". Benalla Standard (Vic. : 1901 - 1940). 27 September 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "1949 - VIOLET TOWN PREMIERS OF EUROA DISTRICT ASSOCIATION". Benalla Ensign (Vic). 23 September 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ Adam McNicol (2 September 2012). "2012 - September on the mind". The Age. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ Marc McGowan (24 September 2012). "2012 - Boys bring cup to town". Press Reader. Shepparton News. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "1919 - Gooram defeats Violet Town". Euroa Advertiser (Vic). 26 September 1919. p. 4. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "1934 - Other Matches: Euroa". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic). 10 September 1934. p. 14. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "1946 - Benalla Wins Grand Final by Six Points". Benalla Ensign (Vic. : 1938 - 1954). 20 September 1946. p. 4. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "1952 - Benalla Tungamah FL - Grand Final match review". Benalla Ensign. 18 September 1952. p. 10. Retrieved 21 June 2020 – via Trove Newspapers.
- ^ "1952 - Benalla Tungamah FL - Premiership Shield". Benalla Ensign. 16 October 1952. p. 3. Retrieved 22 June 2020 – via Trove Newspapers.
- ^ "1905 - Country Football". The Age. 25 August 1905. p. 9. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "1908 - GYMNASIUM PREMIERS". Euroa Advertiser (Vic). 14 August 1908. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "1908 - BALL AND PRESENTATION OP MEDALS". Benalla Standard (Vic). 18 September 1908. p. 4. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "1909 - The Wednesdays". Euroa Advertiser (Vic. : 1884 - 1920). 3 September 1909. p. 5. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "1909 - VIOLET TOWN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION". Euroa Advertiser (Vic. : 1884 - 1920). 21 May 1921. p. 6. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "1910 - The Wednesdays". Euroa Advertiser (Vic). 19 August 1910. p. 5. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "1911 - Country Football". The Age (Melbourne, Vic). 21 August 1911. p. 11. Retrieved 3 March 2024.