Veterans reunite for 50th anniversary of footy premierships

IT’S been 50 years since the now defunct Ashburton YCW won two premierships, but it won’t stop club mentor Father Bob Maguire and the surviving team members from celebrating the momentous occasion.

IN SEPTEMBER 1968, the now defunct Ashburton YCW won two premierships — but less than 12 months later, a quarter of the club’s senior team were sent to fight in Vietnam.

Now, club mentor Father Bob Maguire and the surviving team members are reuniting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of those remarkable premierships and honour those who didn’t return from the war.

FATHER BOB MAGUIRE’S FINAL MASS

THE BLOCK’S NEW ST KILDA LOCATION BLESSED BY FATHER BOB MAGUIRE

Father Bob and club legend Gavin White are putting the call out to track down the remaining members of both teams they haven’t yet been able to find.

White said growing up in Ashburton in the 1960s “was an interesting era for many young men” and playing footy on the weekend was a “matter of tradition”.

“We had more than our fair share of young blokes called up for National Service and on their way to a war in Vietnam — a place that many had never heard of,” he said.

“Many of us didn’t have a lot but we were really a close bunch who worked hard and played in medieval conditions before converging on the Matthew Flinders Hotel.”

The Ashburton FC celebrating its 50th Premiership reunion.

Father Bob was the club’s spiritual leader and coached the team on several occasions.

“I remember I was late for a game once because I was working with the young soldiers at Puckapunyal but we still won.

“They probably won the premierships because of me also,” he said, with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.

The reunion will be held at “The Matthew” on September 27.

If you are a past team member or know someone who played in the 1968 premiership, please contact: [e-mail]