Golden Grove Football Club to wear heritage guernseys as part of 25th year celebrations

This northeast footy club began with almost nothing back in 1997, now the rising powerhouse with a bright future is set to honour its past.

Golden Grove Football Club players Connor Hillcoat (left) and Tom Tacono (centre) in heritage guernseys with inaugural player Phil Jordan (right) in an original guernsey. The club is celebrating its 25th year and this weekend will be wearing throwback jumpers this Saturday to what the first senior teams wore in the 90s. Picture: Brenton Edwards

When the Golden Grove Football Club’s A grade runs out onto Harpers Field this Saturday it will look somewhat like the Kookaburras’ first ever senior side back in 1997.

But in reality, the club is nothing like it was all those years ago.

The Kookaburras will don heritage jumpers – a throwback to the club’s first ever senior guernsey – in its division three clash with CBC Old Collegians.

It is part of Golden Grove’s 25th anniversary celebrations being held this season.

The club, which began with junior teams in 1995, was unable to hold events last year to commemorate the occasion but is making up for it in 2021.

While Golden Grove is young compared to most others in the Adelaide Footy League it has been on a huge journey in those now 26 years.

Golden Grove Football Club players Michael Walters, Todd Sheppard, Tom Tacono, Rohan Shenton and Connor Hillcoat in the replica heritage jumpers with inaugural players Brett Elsworthy, Kym Dobie, Mick Grandey, Phil Jordan and Steve McGregor in original guernseys. Picture: Brenton Edwards

From a handful of underage sides in 1995, the Kookaburras now boast 39 junior and senior teams.

Games record-holder Shaun Duffy joined the club in 1998 and has seen it go from strength to strength.

“When I first came out we were at Greenwith Oval and all it had was one main light post – we used to hire a generator floodlight for training – and didn’t have any clubrooms or changerooms,” said Duffy, who is expected to play his 400th game later this season.

“Now to have two ovals, clubrooms and hopefully soon new double-storey clubrooms.

“It’s been huge considering where we started and in a short time. Over 25 years it’s a big change.”

Last month it was announced the club’s base at Harpers Field will undergo a $12m, two-storey redevelopment.

Duffy, 46, said the upgrade would be a good reward for everyone, especially those who have helped build the club from the ground up.

He said the club’s success has been driven by how inclusive, friendly and family-orientated it is.

Past players, members and family are expected to flood to Harpers Field for Saturday’s match.

Golden Grove will also hold a 25-year gala event at Adelaide Oval later this year, where the replica heritage jumpers will be auctioned off.

On the back of winning the division three premiership last year, the Kookaburras are undefeated this season and will be looking to secure a seventh-straight victory for the campaign against the Dolphins.