Western Bulldogs VFL promotion documented in John Gent Footscray compendium
Council workers in Footscray have stumbled across a book from almost 100 years ago, documenting the Western Bulldogs’ iconic promotion to the VFL. Read what the pages revealed.
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WESTERN Bulldogs fans pining for the days of premiership glory can now get a first person account of a vital championship victory from almost 100 years ago.
A book full of newspaper clippings and other memorabilia from the 1924 Victorian Championship was unearthed in the attic of a Maribyrnong Council building during a clean- up.
The book, compiled by then town clerk John Gent, documents the match which put the club on centre stage for promotion into the Victorian Football League and later the AFL.
Officially known as the match for Dame Nellie Melba’s Appeal for Limbless Soldiers, Footscray’s 28 point upset win over the Essendon Football Club in 1924 is believed to be a key part of Footscray’s acceptance into the VFL in 1925 after years of unsuccessful applications.
Maribyrnong mayor Cuc Lam visited Whitten Oval on July 25 to present the book to the club.
Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Baines said he was extremely grateful to Maribyrnong Council for locating the book and donating it to their museum.
“It’s fantastic news. Obviously a great insight into the club’s history, particularly around the 1924 final and the clubs transition into the then VFL,” he said.
Bulldogs historian and museum curator Darren Arthur happened to be visiting the council at the time and spoke of his surprise when workers handed him the book.
“They brought this out and said you might be interested in this,” he said.
“Being in charge (of the museum), I knew the importance of it, it’s a fairly rare thing to get.”
A display of a bygone era, the collection contains advertising for social nights including a club “smoke night” and a tagline for a pennant presentation says “Roll up! Cheer the team.”
John Gent is recognised for his contribution to the club’s promotion with a stand at Whitten Oval.
The book will be on display at the Bulldogs museum.
After the VFL broke away from the Victorian Football Association in 1897 the VFA had tried a number of times to stage a championship game between the leagues, but the offer had been accepted just twice.
The league accepted the proposal in 1924 to benefit Dame Nellie Melba’s charity appeal and for the first time it took place between the premiers.
The VFL was rated as a stronger competition at the time and Footscray went into the game as underdogs only to dominate the second half of the game with their controversial “flick pass” handball.
Mr Arthur said the game was “pivotal” in the club’s promotion into the VFL, as was the work of John Gent.
“The club couldn’t push their own cause to get into the VFL, he did it on behalf of the club,” Mr Arthur said.
“[John Gent] was in charge of pushing their cause. It went on for about five or six years, and he kept all this paperwork.”
After years of submitting their application for entry to the VFL, Footscray was accepted into the league in 1925 along with Hawthorn and North Melbourne.
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