Our History

HISTORY OF BETHANGA FOOTBALL CLUB

By Danny Steel.

A history of the Bethanga Football Club from its origin’s which date back to the latter part of the 1800’s. The township, the locals, the wins, the losses. The characters I’ve met over the years. The Coaches, the players, the officials, football trips and the many awesome experiences I’ve had during my time involved at the footy club.

​Bethanga is located twenty miles from Wodonga in the mountainous northeast region of Victoria. A half-hour-drive, across Bethanga Bridge, up over Bethanga gap with its panoramic views of the Hume Dam, Albury/Wodonga and surrounding vista’s brings you to this bustling metropolis. It might not look much at first sight but once you delve into its history and meet the locals of this quiet hamlet tucked away in the hills you become quite attached to this place.

Just over a decade after Hume and Hovell’s exploration into the North East/Upper Murray Area in 1824 opened up the area, the first settlers moved in to the region. Around 1845 most of the North East Upper Murray Region of Victoria was settled and the Bethanga run of 40,000 acres was established. A run was a tract of land used for cattle and sheep grazing by herdsman from the drought affected areas of NSW. Gold was discovered in the area in 1867 and in 1876 Bethanga Common was proclaimed.

Today about 300 acres is still Crown land. Due to the gold rush the population grew from 100 to 1500 fortune seekers and even though there wasn’t a lot of gold found, the township grew from the gold dust with shanties, shops, schools, churches, 14 pubs and eventually a Football Club. Back in the 1860’s Football was played in the North East in unofficial games way before any organized competitions. It was known as Victorian Rules up until 1908 when it was changed to Australian Rules. The game was a variation of Gaelic Football and Rugby with constant rule changes adopted and eventually becoming our nation’s number one winter sport. Bethanga first fielded juniors in 1887 playing against Bungil, Granya and Tallangatta. However in 1888 the population had dropped to 500 because of problems in the mines causing the miners to leave and look for work elsewhere. This article appeared in the Upper Murray and Mitta Herald on Thursday the 27th May 1897. “Bethanga means to boast a football club, and I can assure the neighbouring clubs that they will find it a very lively club indeed”. Bethanga played a game against Sandy Creek on Sat 28th May 1898 at Sandy Creek but the footy team must have played very few games during this period as there was no other mention of them or the results in the papers at that time.

On the 2nd of May 1907 Bethanga Football Club was officially formed joining the Mitta Mitta Football Association. Playing in the Essendon strip the Bombers played their first game against Tallangatta at Bethanga Park on the 18th May losing by six goals. Bethanga Park was always used for sporting events, picnics and meetings etc, and now would become the footy clubs home ground. Bethanga Park is still used today for cricket, soccer, gymkhana’s and other various events. There was another Bethanga Park located five or six miles outside the village on the road to Tallangatta or the old Tallangatta as we know it today. Back in the 1860’s David Mitchell selected about 6000 acres of prime land and during the period when his family owned it, it was known as Bethanga Station. David Mitchell was Dame Nellie Melba’s (the famous opera singer) father who would have spent her youth there. In 1905 his family sold the land to the Bowman family who renamed the area Bethanga Park. The Park was regarded as the best stock fattening property in Australia at the time but in 1929 4,613 acres of the property was acquired by the River Murray Water Commission and the prime land was soon swallowed up by the rising waters of the newly constructed Hume Dam. After the Weir filled there was only about 1300 acres left which was sold by the Bowman family to Ellen Bragg on the 21st October 1945.

The 1907 the team squad was Sangster, Gould, McClure, Martin, Miller, Hyland, Dickenson, Packer, Wild, Bell, Parkhill, Cavanagh, Cousens, Rowley, McGill, Williams, Percy, Marchant, Willet, Ladd, Mooney and Harris. The Mitta Mitta Association had six teams in it which were split up into two divisions. Division A consisted of Eskdale, Mitta Mitta and Sandy Creek. Division B was Tallangatta, Bethanga and Granya playing for the Rosenberg Trophy offered by D. Rosenberg from Eskdale. In the team’s second game against Tallangatta the boys lost by 14 points in a credible performance but lost to a rampaging Granya combination with the visitors defeating Bethanga by 39 points a few weeks later. The 1907 Grand Final saw Granya defeat Sandy Creek at Eskdale on the 25th August by 28 points to win the cup.

In 1908 Bethanga played in the Tallangatta Football Association consisting of Division A-Granya, Tallangatta and Bethanga. Division B-Eskdale, Sandy Creek and Mitta Mitta. The clubs played for the McKay/Fagan Trophy with Sandy Creek reversing the previous year’s disappointment by defeating Granya by two points at Tallangatta and taking the cup home. Bethanga’s squad that year was Hyland(capt), Bell, McClure, Parkhill, Ladd, Ryan, Cummins, Williams, Bohun, McClure, Pfeiffer, Sangster, Mooney, McGill, Ryall, Hollands, Packer and Martin. The Martin bloodline goes back five generations with the first three males all known as Thomas Martin. Thomas Martin 1st, Thomas Martin 2nd, Thomas Martin 3rd, Norman Martin 4th and Robert Martin 5th is the genealogy order. Thomas Martin (1st) was a former manager for the J.A Wallace mining company in Bethanga about 1880 and died in 1904 and is buried at Chiltern. In later years his son Thomas Martin (2nd) who was born in 1888 was also a manager for the same company and played for Bethanga in the 1907/08/09 seasons and he died in 1948. Norm and Robert Martin had long associations with Bethanga Football Club years later.

Horse drawn Drags, horseback or walking was the common mode of travel back in those days with each drag holding about 20 people. Royal Mail Line Coaches operated by Crawford & Co, linked the Northeast/Upper Murray area from Wodonga to outlying settlements such as Bonegilla, Ebden, through to Bethanga, Talgarno, Tallangatta, across to Kiewa, Yackandandah and Beechworth and up the river to Cudgewa and Corryong until the arrival of the rail. Even after the rail Coaches still linked up with the outlying regions until motor vehicles took over. The Melbourne to Wodonga rail link opened November 21st, 1873, and in 1889 the rail extended from Wodonga connecting East Wodonga (which was renamed Bandiana in later years), Bethanga Road Station (which was later renamed Bonegilla), Ebden and Huon Lane. Huon Lane and Tallangatta (old Tallangatta) as we know it today was linked up in 1891. Tallangatta and Cudgewa were finally linked up in 1921. When Tallangatta moved in 1956 as the Weir filled the area it was moved to was originally known as Bolga. In 1909 Jim Stewart, an ex-Melbourne player and Bill Twomey organized the Twomey/Stewart Association. Bethanga, Wodonga, Tallangatta and Dreadnought competed.

​Dreadnought was formed when Sandy Creek and Kiewa merged that same year. It was a late start to the season not starting until 19th June. Wodonga won the comp by defeating Dreadnought at Wodonga. The 1909 Bethanga squad was Griffiths(capt), McClure, Mooney, McGill, Martin, Miller, Marchant, Parkhill, Scammell, Chanter, Hackett, Webb, Scott and Rowley. Granya didn’t play in the trophy comp but still managed to play a few non trophy games also quite a few of their players went and played for Bethanga and the newly formed Tallangatta Valley. The 1910/11/12 seasons Bethanga did not field teams however in 1913 Bethanga Football Club won their first premiership by defeating archrivals Granya in the Granya/Wymah//Bethanga Football Association on the 2nd August 1913 at Wymah. The club had withdrawn earlier that year from the Mitta Mitta Valley Football Association in the Blanchfield Trophy Competition. Unfortunately, there were no score or results in the papers. At present the 1913 premiership cup is proudly on display in the Bethanga pub.

Years ago the cup went missing with no one knowing its whereabouts until one day the publican received a call from an ex Bethanga resident living in Melbourne saying he had found the cup in his attic. Dusting it off he said he would return it on one condition, that it would be on permanent display in the Bethanga pub for all to see and it’s been there ever since. In 1914 Bethanga joined The Wodonga and District Association along with the newly formed Federal Railway Football Club (ex Tallangatta), Sandy Creek and Wodonga. The 1914 team consisted of Parkhill (Captain), Goulds, Degraves, Bohun, Bohun, Wheeler, Pooley, Packer, Hill, Lees, Bradshaw, Meredith, Toohey, Cole, Collins, Swain, McGilland Rowley. As World War One was raging in Europe there was no football played from 1915 until 1919. Bethanga did not field a team until 1920 and still played in Essendon colours when it joined The Kiewa Football Association along with Kiewa, Bonegilla, Tallangatta and Sandy Creek. The teams played off for the Henderson Cup a silver cup offered by a local identity. Tallangatta were the premiers that season defeating Kiewa in the Grand Final. The 1921 footy season saw Bethanga compete in The Kiewa District Football Association against teams from Tallangatta, Tallangatta Valley, Talgarno, Kiewa and Granya. Granya won the Grand Final that year defeating Kiewa at Kiewa.

In 1922 The Kiewa District Football Association became The Tallangatta District Football Association with Tallangatta Valley dropping out and Eskdale coming in. Bethanga played in the Grand Final that year losing to Tallangatta 3.5.23 to 9.8.62 at Tallangatta’s Ormidale Oval. Bethanga’s team that day in the Grand Final was Lees (Capt), Pooley, Cole, Toohey, Crocker, Cole, Collins, Meredith, Cole, Collins, Parkhill, Summers, Trewella, Clough, Summers, McCallum, Eaton and King. They had a pretty good team that year and were the minor premiers after the home and away season.

Here’s an excerpt from the Upper Murray and Mitta Herald the 19th August 1922.

The final matches in connection with the Tallangatta District Association were concluded on Saturday last when Bethanga (minor premiers) and Tallangatta met in the Grand Final at Ormidale Oval at Tallangatta. The game attracted a good crowd despite the threatening appearance of the weather. A large contingent of Bethanga supporters accompanied their team to Tallangatta. The sum of 26 pounds and 10 shillings was taken at the gate. The game was somewhat disappointing as the local players asserted their superiority almost throughout the whole game. It was only in the concluding stage of the struggle that Bethanga showed anything approaching what was regarded as true form. On the other hand, the local team excelled all over the field and played their best game for the season. In the final rounds of the competition Tallangatta have vanquished in succession redoubtable opponents in Kiewa, Granya and Bethanga and is safe to assume that all good sporting enthusiasts associated with these, and other competing clubs will not begrudge the winners the fruits of victory earned by them after a keen and strenuous season. Goals-Jack Sommers 2. Lees 1. Best-Lees, Collins, Eaton, Pooley, Sommers, Meredith, Toohey, McCallum.

​The following season Allan’s Flat District Association kicked off with Allan’s Flat, Tangambalanga Rovers, Dederang and Kergunyah competing. Kiewa were the Tallangatta and District Association premiers for 1923 defeating Granya. Tallangatta, Eskdale, Talgarno, Bethanga and Mitta Mitta also fielded teams. After a fairly ordinary 1923 season for the Bombers they attempted to join the Yackandandah League in 1924 which consisted of Yackandandah, Kiewa, Ebden Wier and Huon Lane but the move did not eventuate. Season 1925/26 saw Bethanga compete in the Kiewa and District Football Association along with Yackandandah, Kiewa, Dederang, Allan’s Flat, Tallangatta and Granya. Tallangatta were premiers in 1925 defeating Allan’s Flat and in the 1926 season Granya defeated Bethanga by 4 points at Granya in a heartbreaking loss with the final score Granya-4.18.42 to Bethanga-5.8. 38. In 1927 Allan’s Flat departed and Mitta Valley Purples formed and joined the Kiewa and District Association. Once again Granya 8.11.59 defeated Bethanga 3.1.19 in the Grand Final by 40 points. In 1928 in the Kiewa and District Association Yackandandah pulled out of the League but saw Ebden Rovers join the comp. As well as playing in the Kiewa Association in 1928 Bethanga fielded a team in the Yackandandah B-Grade Competition playing in the red, white and blue. The team also played a practice game against Wodonga at Wodonga easily defeating them with the score Bethanga-14.14.98 to Wodonga-2.6.18.

In 1927/28 local brothers Albert and Arthur Mills who grew up and attended school in Bethanga were two of Bethanga Footy Clubs star players however Arthur the older of the two brothers and some say the better footballer was struck down with Meningitis which curbed his career. Doctor Frank Grant drove from Wodonga to Bethanga in a record time of 25 minutes to treat Arthur and considering the condition of the road and speed of the vehicles in those days it wasn’t a bad effort. In 1929 with the completion of the Hume Dam and the rising waters of the Mitta river many families, including the Mills family, were forced to pack up and leave. Arthur and Albert’s father Bill was Bethanga’s policeman at the time but he decided to move his family to Wangaratta for work. Both brothers played for Wangaratta for a season where Albert was picked up by Hawthorn Football Club. During his time at Hawthorn which spanned 13 years from 1930 to 1942, Bert played 196 games for the Hawks was captain in 1932/34/38 and capt/coach in the 1940/41 seasons. He went on to kick 60 goals, win three club best and fairest and was made a life member of Hawthorn in 1939. He won the Argus medal in 1939 which was the equivalent of the Brownlow Medal awarded in later years. The Argus Medal was an award sponsored by the then Argus newspaper. Coincidently in 2001 Hawthorn announced their team of the century and Albert Mills was named in a back pocket. He was considered a hard working follower and excellent back flanker.

In 1929 Bethanga departed the Kiewa Association and joined the Yackandandah Football Association and won their second Premiership with the Cup on Permanent display in the clubrooms. Following the Hume Dam completion and families uprooted one can imagine the impact this mass exodus had on the area and to football itself. Who knows how many more premierships alluded our once powerful club.

Bethanga did not field teams in the 1930 season but re-joined the Yackandandah Association in 1931 only to lose the Grand Final to Talgarno with the final score being Talgarno-11.14.80 to Bethanga-10.8.68. In the 1932 Yackandandah Association season Bethanga competed against teams from Yackandandah, Tallangatta, Kergunyah, Granya, Sandy Creek, Mitta and Kiewa Rovers. The 1933 season saw Bethanga playing in the Tallangatta and District Football League against Tallangatta, Mitta, Granya, Sandy Creek and Kiewa. Granya defeated Mitta Mitta at Tallangatta in the Grand Final by 21 points and were 1933 Premiers. In the 1934 season in the Tallangatta League there was no senior grade teams however a junior competition or reserve grade competition was organized and was known as Tallangatta Junior Association. Teams from Sandy Creek, Tallangatta Valley, Mitta Valley and Tallangatta Rovers. Sandy Creek were the Premiers that year defeating Tallangatta Rovers at Sandy Creek. Bethanga joined the Hume League in 1934 where they played until 1938. Doug Dower who was born in 1918 played his first game of senior footy at Bethanga in 1934 at age sixteen and played all his footy for Bethanga football Club. Doug went to War in 1939 and resumed his football career after the War in 1945 and retired in 1949. Still playing their home games at Bethanga Park which consisted of a footy ground, tennis court, cricket pitch and a golf course. In those days there were no paid players, no coaches though each club did have a captain and training was limited if not at all due to the fact that the majority of the players worked at least 12 hour days.

As times were a lot tougher then with the harsh conditions the players were naturally tougher both physically and mentally and they make the present day footballer pale in comparison to what these men endured. On the away games transport came in the form of the local milk truck. A tarp was thrown over the back to shelter the players from the elements and off they went. In the thirties buses and trucks had to have a permit to travel ten miles or more into NSW. As most of the Hume League teams were in NSW this made transport to the games difficult unless you had a car. So when Bethanga played Jindera, which was eleven miles over the Border and the driver not having a permit, he had to park his truck on the side of the road at the ten-mile limit forcing the players to walk the remaining mile to the Jindera football ground. One Hell of a warm up. After the game and a quick stop at Jindera Pub the boys would walk back to the truck and head home to milk cows or finish their daily jobs etc. Saturday nights they would usually congregate at the local dance hall letting loose and winding down after a hectic week. One of the best bush rovers at the time was a local called Jack Sommer. Jack played for Bethanga in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. At 32 years of age he was recruited by Albury Football Club in the Ovens and Murray.

Norm Martin was a top fullback in his day and played for Bethanga from 1932 to 1938.

In 1938 the Hume League clubs were Bethanga, Burrumbuttock, Gerogery, Jindera, Lavington, Wagga Road, Walla and Walbundrie. Norm played in the infamous 1938 Hume League Grand Final Bloodbath against Lavington at Jindera Football Ground on the 3rd Sept of that year. Lavington had a reputation in those days of being a dirty sniping bunch of mongrels. Bethanga’s Captain Jack Mortlock and player Jim Stapleton were felled behind play in the first quarter and sent to hospital. Back then teams only had 19 players with just one interchange player so that left Bethanga with 17 fit players for the remainder of the match. The umpire was threatened and intimidated by the Lavington players so he made no reports during the Grand Final and they went on to record an easy win. Some of the Lavington players were disgusted with the way some of their team mates behaved and were dissolution with their victory.

From start to finish there was only one team in it. Furthermore on various occasions blows were struck, and in one instance, the umpire, who rushed in to stop a melee, was violently thrown aside. Tripping and elbowing, which appeared deliberate, was an order of the day, and only on rare occasions was good and systematic play in evidence. By way of comparison, this match was miles behind the first semi-final played on the same ground between Bethanga and Walbundrie the three weeks previously. Lavington won the toss, and with the help of a strong breeze blowing diagonally across the ground soon had Bethanga in difficulties. The side was on the defence throughout the quarter, and failed to score. Opening with several behinds L. O’Connell then kicked two goals, which were followed by a string of seven behinds. Only on one occasion did the ball cross the centreline in Bethanga’s favour. Rough and congested play excluded good football, and the game was held up several times in order to quell disturbances caused by pugilistic encounters. At the change Lavington led by 21 points to nil. It was expected that with the wind in its favour, Bethanga would make up the leeway in the second quarter, but supporters were disappointed when Lavington quickly added three goals to their score (T Farley-1 goal, Rowley Gulson-2 goals). Play was again interrupted by fighting and when the goal umpire fell over a boy who got in his road, he was unable to signal the score, and play ceased for about 10 minutes to give way to arguments and explanations.

Order being restored, play was resumed and Bethanga seemed to wake up. Wally Butler kicked two goals and several behinds gave them more points. Then the game swerved in Lavington’s favour again, and with the help of 4 behinds and a goal by Jack Livermore, they led by 35 points at half time. Although Bethanga opened the third quarter well, and early scored several points they were for the most part defending desperately and were unable to add further to their tally. Lavington was now definitely on top, and did as it liked. By adding 4 goals (Jack Livermore 2 goals, T Farley, Spud Prater 1 goal each) and eight behinds, they drew away from their opponents, who were beaten in the ruck, in the air, in fact anywhere. The issue was no more in doubt, and the players, realizing that the game was won and lost, managed to keep their ruffled tempers in check. As in the previous quarter Bethanga again scored first in the last term. Wally Butler raised the two flags. Rowley Gulson replied with a sixer, and Tom Barnett gave Bethanga another goal. W. Dawson, T. Farley and L. O’Connell in turn kicked correctly, and Tom Barnett once more gave Bethanga a goal. Three goals by Lavington (Jack Livermore, Spud Prater, Harold McIntosh) made the margin still wider, and large numbers had already left the ground when the final bell proclaimed Lavington premiers of the Hume League for 1938.

The scores: first quarter, Lavington 2-9 Bethanga nil. Second quarter, Lavington 6-13 Bethanga 2-2. third quarter, Lavington 10-21 Bethanga 2-4. Final scores. Lavington, 17 goals 23 behinds (125 points). Bethanga, 5-6 (36 points). Goal kickers-Lavington. L. O’Connell 4, T. Farley, Rowley Gulson, Jack Livermore and Spud Prater 3 each, W. Dawson and Harold McIntosh 1 each. Bethanga, Wally Butler 3, Tom Barnett 2. Best Players. Lavington, Rowley Gulson, E. Collins, L. O’Connell, T. Farley, W. Dawson, Charlie Lee, A. Lord. Bethanga. Jack Sommer, Tom Barnett, Jack Mortlock, Norm Martin, Joe Packer, Arthur Dower, Wally Butler.

The Bethanga team selected that day was a squad of 20 players. They were Claude Rowley, Norm (cocky) Martin, Norm Trewella, Joe Packer, Bill Park, Jim Stapleton, Alan Lees, Norm Lees, Chappy Butler, Hughie Bennett, Tom Barnett, Jack Mortlock (capt), Arthur (clarky) Mortlock, Garth Butler, Wally Butler, A. Mitchell, Tom Lonergan, Jack Sommer. Emergencies- George Chisnall and Keith Cadman. I’m not sure if Norm Trewella played in the Grand Final even though he is named in the squad. George Chisnall and Keith Cadman were carrying suspected injuries so they had to pass a fitness test on the day to determine if they would play or not. George was Bethanga’s blacksmith and the two Bethanga players hospitalized that day were Jack Mortlock(capt) and Jim Stapleton.

Bill Park was from Talgarno and Tom Lonergan was known to mix it with the opposition quite often. The Butler brothers Wally and Chappy and their cousin Garth Butler were all from Tallangatta and came across to Bethanga to play football as Tallangatta didn’t have a footy club then. Tom Barnett, Chappy and Garth Butler also played for Wodonga Bulldogs in 1937 in the Ovens and Murray. However the following season during a game against Walla, Lavington were up to their old tricks again but this time the umpire officiating was made of sterner stuff and was not putting up with any more crap. He reported all but four of the Lavington team with some players receiving life penalties Harold McIntosh was one Lavington player who was banned for life. The life bans and reports decimated Lavington footy club forcing them to fold. Couldn’t of happened to a nicer pack of pricks. Norm Martin recalls Jack Livermore, Finch and two other Lavington players, he can’t recall their names, were the four players not reported. Norm remembers these blokes as being gentlemen on and off the field.

After the 1938 season Bethanga departed the Hume League and joined the Dederang and District Association as it was known then in readiness for the 1939 season. Tallangatta, Kiewa, Eskdale, Sandy Creek, Kergunyah and Granya were in the other teams in the Association. With Dederang Football Club having already departed two years previous the League delegates voted unanimously for a name change to the Kiewa and Mitta Valleys Football League in 1940. The League consisted of Bethanga, Granya, Kiewa, Mitta Valley, Sandy Creek and Tallangatta, much the same as previous years.

​With World War Two raging in Europe and the Pacific football went into recess for the next few years. Young men were going of to war, some never returning. Reg Rowley was born at Wodonga 17th Feb 1914 and went to Bethanga Primary School and later on Albury Grammar School where he was school captain and dux of the school. Reg along with his older brother Claude played for Bethanga in the early thirties. After his Grammar years he joined the Victorian police and was a motorbike cop during his time in the force. In the mid to late thirties Reg was recruited by Hawthorn Football Club but there are no records of Reg ever cracking a senior game at Hawthorn though he did play in practice and reserve matches for the Hawks. Claude also went to Melbourne but came home during the depression to work the family farm. Reg enlisted in the RAAF Oct 1941 seeing action in England and Europe and reaching the rank of flight Sergeant piloting Lancaster Bombers in 460 Squadron. Well young Reg never came home. He was killed when his plane was shot down over Germany the 2nd Jan 1944 at age 30. Another local from Bethanga John (Jack) Mitchell who was in the same squadron last saw Reg and his plane taking off on what was to be his last flight and Jack actually wrote home to inform Reg’s family that he never made it back from the mission. Jack survived the war and came home in 1945 and in later years both his sons Max and John both played for Bethanga.

Football resumed in 1944 with TDFL running a unofficial competition but Bethanga did not field a team that year. The following year saw the end of World War Two with people attempting to resume their lives and return to normality. At a meeting off football enthusiasts at Bethanga, it was decided to re-form the football club so for the first time since 1940 Bethanga Football Club played in the Tallangatta and District Football League which officially formed in 1945 with the season kicking off 21st April. Mr Greaves was elected Club President and Mr R. Cole was elected Secretary. The 1945 player list was as follows-Pat Lees, C.L. Lonergan, Charlie Lees, Roy Cole, Merv Packer, Keith Cadman, Drummond, Charlie Retallick, Vic Hertzog, Symons, Bros, John Packer, Ray Hill and Coog Meredith Doug Dower. Most of the Bethanga players hadn’t played football before and were outclassed by their more experienced opponents but they acquitted themselves well. The 1946/47 seasons were lean seasons for Bethanga and the club did not field teams in 1948 but did see the return of the football club in des 1949. The 1950 team consisted of Keith Lees (ex Wodonga), Vic Hertzog, Johnny Parker, Alan Lees, Bob Pearce, Max Mitchell, Ian Sirl, Jim Stapleton, D. Packer, D. Brown, Jim Sirl, Frank Retallick, Lees, Gordon Pritchard, Bill Nicholl. 1951 Bethanga did not field a team but returned again in 1952. The 52’ team list-Bill Hooper, Teddy Washington (ex Nth Albury), Evans, Carroll, Gordon Pritchard, Frank Retallick, Ross Bishop(ex Nth Albury), Chum Watson, Duffy Duncan, Johnny Vinge (Ex Wodonga), Harris, Ian Sirl. 1953 team list-John Mitchell, J. Cross, Ron Hucker, Atherton, Doug Dower, Stan McFarlane, Danier, Vic Prendergast, Teddy Davies, Ferdinand Rezuk, J. Carroll, Len Cottrell, Bert Hanley, Tom Beasley, Evans, Ian Sirl, Followers-Gordon Pritchard, Ron Hucker, Rover-Vic Hertzog, Boundary-Ron Herrin. 1954 team list-Ozzie Kimball, Tom Beasley, Lowrey, Len Cottrell, Gordon Pritchard and the club had about 5 wins that year. 1955 team list-Ozzie Kimball, Len Cottrell, Carroll, M. Sowrey, Gordon Pritchard, John Arnott, H. Moorley, J. Fietz, Neville Murray, Bros, Holt and Dally. Ozzie Kimball coached Bethanga sometime during this period.

Len Cottrell who played for Bethanga for two or three years was invited to play for Carlton Football Club in 1957 and stayed there for three seasons from 1957 to 1959. Len wore number 32 for Carlton playing alongside Bruce Comben, John Nichols and Graham Donaldson to name a few and went on to play 8 Senior games and quite a few reserve games. Len always took his footy serious and recalls being fairly fit during his playing days. One day Bethanga footy team caught a bus to Kiewa and one of the players pulled out a bottle of beer and passed it around. This was before the game and by the time they got to Kiewa they were well and truly fired up for the game. I think they lost that day.

Enjoying mediocre success in the TDFL since the war ended Bethanga Football Club departed the league in 1956 and joined the Chiltern League. Former Nth Albury player Norm Benstead coached that year, but the move was short lived due to the Chiltern League folding the following season which saw the return of Bethanga to the Tallangatta League in 1957. Norm Benstead returned to Nth Albury the same year to coach their Reserves. Bethanga appointed ex-Barnawartha Premiership Coach Bob Wise as playing Coach in 1957. The 1955 Tigers Premiership Coach had the credentials and experience but unfortunately not the players winning just six games. The 1957 team list-Robert Wise-Capt/Coach, Ozzie Kimball, Ron Goodyer, Gordon Pritchard, Dave Pritchard, Frank Retallick, Barry Halpin, Ferdinand Rezuk, Ian Wise-Bobs brother, Len Cottrell, Ron Herrin, Tom Beasley, Chambers, Stevenson-Bethanga Policeman, John Arnott, Dick Danier, Neville Murray, Brereton, Doug Welladsen, Breardon, Summers, Johnny Parker, Gerry Chambers, Mott, Davies, Barton, Jimmy Schlue, Magnee, Brown, Jimmy Ryan and John Parker.

​The same year Bethanga had five players in the Kiewa Valley representative side playing against the Mitta Valley rep team. The five players were J. Welladsen, Frank Retallick, Bob Wise, Ron Goodyer and Ian Wise who were 19th and 20th man. Mitta Valley lost by two points. Bob Wise Coached the Kiewa Valley Rep side whilst Joe Radcliffe coached the Mitta Valley team. Bob went on to coach Kiewa for the next three seasons until his retirement at the end of the 1960 season. Norm Benstead returned in 1958 as Capt/Coach of the newly merged Bethanga/Granya Bombers. Granya had previously folded in 1954. The team did alright in 1958 winning 13 games and losing 5 games just missing out on the final four by one game. Bethanga had the highest percentage in the League with 213.4% and the nearest team had 159.7% at the end of the home and away games unfortunately it wasn’t enough to make the finals. One game against Kergunyah saw the Bombers-26. 25. 181. pump Kergunyah-5.6.36. here’s what the paper had to say. “Bethanga 145 point win. Completely outclassing Kergunyah, Bethanga/Granya scored an effortless 145 point win scoring almost at will throughout the game allowing Kergunyah five goals only for the match. Bethanga/Granya led by 30 points at the first change, 82 points at half time and despite an even third quarter in which Kergunyah scored 3 goals of their 5 goals, Bethanga ran up 9.10 to 1.2 in the last term to finish with 26.25 to 5.6.

Norm Benstead kicked 8 goals whilst Ron Goodyer booted 6 for the day and had a field day for the home team. Norm went on to kick 100 plus goals that year but goalkicking was not a recognized award back then. Max Mitchell was Runner-up to Bert Kemp from Sandy Creek in the League Best and Fairest with 23 votes”. Goals-Norm Benstead 8, Ron Goodyer 6, Roger Williams 3, Les Hore 3, Ron Herrin 2, Noel Trewella 1, Ozzie Kimball 1, I. Webb 1. Best Tom Star, Ozzie Kimball, Roger Williams, Kevin Wortmann, Les Hore, Max Mitchell. Other players on the 1958 team list as follows-Les Eddington, Wally Phieffer, Ron Herrin, Jim Star, McPoyle, Greg O’Rielly, Dave and Gordon Pritchard, Johnny Vinge, Ken Champion and Richardson. The next season saw the Bethanga/Granya merger endure a upheaval as Norm departed losing their full forward and several other players. Norm switched to Lavington in 1959 where one of his old Nth Albury team mates was playing so he ended up coaching Lavington Juniors and playing quite a few games and also playing in the 1960 Grand Final. Norm retired from football in 1962. Bob Wise and Norm Benstead first met in 1945 whilst Bob was playing football for South Albury in the Albury and Border League. He remembers Norm turning up at a South Albury training session on his pushbike asking if he could train and Bobs reply was you won’t get a game here mate as South Albury was a powerful club in those days. However Norm went on to be one of local footy’s top full forwards and playing in South Albury’s Premiership.

In 1959 with permission from the League Bethanga/Granya changed its name to Murray United and was coached by Alf Deane. Deane coached Dederang to a Premiership in 1958. The 1959 team list included Kevin Wortmann, Greg O’Rielly, Roger Williams, L. Hanley, Max Mitchell, Noel Trewella, T. Webb, Tom Star, Ron Goodyer, Ferdinand Rezuk, Dave Pritchard, Bill Nicholl and Jim Star. The team played their home games at Granya as the Bethanga ground was not fit to play on and mid-season was graded and top dressed. The team struggled with numbers during the season winning the first game of the season and losing 16 and enduring a few floggings and having to forfeit the last game. As the merger wasn’t very successful on and off the field and the two clubs went their separate ways. Granya would not field a team again and Bethanga would not field a team again until 1976.

The Retallicks from Bethanga have had a long association with the footy club for many years. Uncle Retallick was a well-known local identity around Bethanga for years being born and bred there and the likeable larrikin was loved and endeared by all who met him. Charles Albert Retallick was born on the 15th February 1909 in Bethanga and was one of four sons and four daughters of Bill and Anne Retallick. Bill was the local blacksmith at Bethanga back then and his family grew up during the depression. The four brothers Frank, Arthur, Charles(Uncle) and his twin brother Jack(Cocky) all played football for Bethanga at one time or another. Uncle married local girl Doreen Smith in 1938 and began farming at Talgarno. The following year all four brothers enlisted in the Army with Uncle being rejected as he was a farmer and their services were needed on the land. Uncles brother Arthur was killed in a car accident in the sixties at Katunga near Numurkah. Uncle was known to enjoy a beer or two at Bethanga Pub on a Saturday then he would head home to milk the cows but would stop at the footy on the way to support his beloved team usually from between the boundary and wing. Occasionally the umpires ejected him from the ground for being overzealous in his support of the team. Needless to say, by the time he got home his wife Doreen had milked the cows and his tea was cold.

Charlie was the clubs number one supporter but he never directed any of his passion in a malicious way or no malice intended. He just loved the game and people loved Uncle. Sadly Uncle passed away in 1980 from cancer at age 70 and out of respect for him and his wife Doreen the footy club had an award named after him “the Uncle Rettalick award”. It was a prestigious award given to someone within the footy club deemed worthy not necessarily football players anyone involved with the club. I had the pleasure of receiving this award in 1996 and treasure it very much. People still remember his voice echoing across the ground “spectators of the ground” and “happy days”. A real character.

In later years Uncle’s nephew, Frank’s son Ian Retallick (Renta) played 153 games for Bethanga, won the 1977 Reserve Best and Fairest and coached Bethanga reserves in 1988 and even though retired Renta still has a keen interest in the club.

In 1975 local residents Eric Wood, Norm Martin and Glen Brown were enjoying a beer at the Courthouse Hotel in Bethanga. Deep in conversation the talk soon turned to football. The lifeblood and future of any small country town is its youth and they noticed that the towns young people were often playing their chosen sport in Albury / Wodonga or other smaller outlying communities. This was due to the lack of sporting opportunities in Bethanga so Eric suggested forming a footy club to lure them back to the area. Both Norm and Glen agreed and the three called a public meeting to gauge support for the venture. The meeting was held at the Bethanga Town Hall and chaired by Norm, Eric, and Glen. They were surprised at the interest shown with sixty or so people attending. Eric Wood suggested to the packed hall a cooling off period of two weeks to think about the huge task ahead. All agreed and with the meeting winding up everyone went their separate ways two assess the situation. Two weeks later they were back, keen and enthusiastic as ever. The vote was unanimous-the footy club was a goer.

The first hurdle was to gain acceptance to The Tallangatta and Districts Football League. A League meeting of all the Club and League delegates was organized and a vote was called for. Only two clubs voted against so the application was approved and Bethanga was re-admitted to the League after 18 years in limbo. Season 1976 would be Bethanga Football Club’s debut season. Next on the agenda was the election of the office bearers and committee members etc.

​Eric Wood was elected President, Glen Brown and John Mitchell as joint Vice-Presidents, John Mollison-Secretary and Robert Alston as Treasurer. Vern Braunach offered to coach the fledgling club free of charge. Vern had played for North Albury in the Ovens and Murray League for a few years so with his playing skill and experience his offer was duly snapped up. Bob Martin (Norms son) was appointed Reserves Captain/Coach and from that moment on the Football Club began to take shape. The committee consisted of Norm Martin, Vern Braunach, Bob Martin and Ken Merkel. Club policy deemed that there would be no paid players until the Club became viable. A family and social atmosphere would be the rule and basically for everyone to enjoy the game. These policies would continue for quite a few years. Bethanga Recreation Reserve would be our home ground as it had always been used for various events since last century. Families often gathered there for picnics, cricket matches, footy games, footraces, and other sporting events. Also the gymkhana was held every year at the reserve.

The ground needed to be up-graded in readiness for the coming season so work begun in earnest. Leveling of the Reserve was a huge task as there was an 18ft fall from one end to the other. Delaney’s Earthmoving Company in Albury supplied contractors, equipment, time and labour free of charge over the next few weekends to get the job done. Then the ground was aerated and grass sown and watered etc.

With the season not far off training began, slowly at first then gradually building up. Quite a lot of Bethanga boys who were playing footy elsewhere returned to play for the newly formed club. This was why the club was formed in the first place to give the towns young people an interest also it would bring the townspeople together to support their Football Club. Two of the better known players to return were Mick and Stuart Wood, Eric’s sons. Both had been playing for Tallangatta the last couple of years. Stuart was appointed Captain and both brothers went on to win League and Club Best and Fairest awards. Craig Brown, Glen’s son also returned and played for Bethanga. So with the first game fast approaching the Club colours were chosen. Bethanga would play in St Kilda colours, the mighty Saints. Everything was ready, the goalposts were up, the boundary drawn and the scoreboard set. The Tallangatta and Districts Football League 1976 Season kicked off on the 24th April and our first opponent was the clubs old nemesis Lavington. The town was abuzz with the excitement as football fever took over. The atmosphere in the town that day was electric, it was history in the making. Football had returned.

Well Bethanga lost that day in infamy to a rampaging Lavington combination by 133 points. Vern was pleased with the way the boys acquitted themselves against overwhelming odds, but the opposition were just too good. Bethanga’s Craig Brown, a fleet footed wingman, kicked the clubs first goal early in the Senior game resulting in a huge roar from the crowd. The Reserves also lost that day with a young Ken Merkel having the thrill of kicking the clubs first goal in 18 years. Ken played only a handful of games for Bethanga retiring due to frustrating injury woes. He has been involved with club ever since, has held just about every position from President down, is a life member and is our current Treasurer.

To this day Vern Braunack’s most enduring memory is that first game. The excitement that was generated throughout the club and throughout the town was an amazing feeling.

​With the townspeople getting caught up in the emotion and spirit and giving their full support to their football club it seemed to lift the spirits of the whole town. The hype, the atmosphere, the feeling of being part of history is something he’ll treasure for the rest of his life. Bethanga never made the finals that year winning just two games both against Wodonga Demons and one drawn game against Barnawartha. The Reserves had one win against Barnawartha so 1976 proved to be a learning experience for the fledgling club. Mick Wood won the Senior Best and Fairest and his brother Stuart was Runner-up. John Karafilis won the Reserve Grade Best and Fairest with Wayne Cross coming Runner-up.

BETHANGA 1ST EIGHTEEN 1976

Kiewa/Sandy Creek Defeated Bullioh in the 1976 Grand Final and Lavington successfully applied to join the Farrar league in 1977. South Albury Football Club reformed and were admitted into the Tallangatta and Districts League in 1977. In between the 1976 and 1977 Seasons plans were drawn up for the new Clubrooms. Up until then the old Bethanga Recreation Reserve facilities were being used. Bethanga was fortunate to have tradesman from just about every profession associated with the Club so everyone got behind this latest project offering their services for free with the only cost being for materials and sweat. The foundations were poured, the walls went up, on went the roof, showers, kitchen facilities, the bar installed, without beer at that stage. Credit must go to everyone involved as it cut the costs by half. I consider these people pioneers and feel privileged to have met quite a few of them over the years.

NEW CLUBROOMS

1977 saw Bethanga achieving limited success and as the 77’ season wound down so did Vern. He felt that fresh blood, fresh faces, fresh ideas were needed around the club. Vern Braunack would be remembered as one of the pioneers that was instrumental in reforming the footy club. His dedication, his love of the game, his tireless work paved the way for the years ahead.

VERN BRAUNACH

An interesting aspect of the 76/77 seasons was the half time entertainment at our home games-Skydiving exhibitions with three or four parachutists flying out from Albury, over the gap and skilfully landing on the footy ground with pinpoint accuracy much to the delight of the crowd. Not many clubs not even the VFL at that time had such extravagant promotions. The skydivers themselves were known to stay on for the after match drinks until the small hours of the morning and became quite well known for their drinking prowess as well as their skydiving prowess.

The 1978 season began with appointment of Alan Curtis as senior playing coach. Alan previously captained/coached Tallangatta. In 1978 Tallangatta merged with their old foes Bullioh and became Tallangatta Valley. The saints made the finals for the first time that year defeating South Albury in the elimination final to advance to the semi-final losing to Kiewa/Sandy Creek. In 1979 Bethanga made the finals once again under Curtis’s leadership, but lost by 4 points to Mitta United in the elimination final. So close. Another highlight that year was Bethanga players winning the league best and fairest in the firsts-Alan Curtis, seconds-Robert White, Thirds-David Hovey. Alan Curtis became one of Bethanga’s favourite sons after two successful seasons at the helm. He stood down at the end of the79’ season and moved on playing for North Albury and Wodonga in the Ovens and Murray League.

In 1980 Bethanga appointed Barry Hayes as playing coach. Barry played for North Albury and originally came from Yarrawonga. His tenure was for one year but the club lost players from the previous season and were undermanned having to play players that were not quite up to Senior football. Barry Hayes played at centre half forward/full forward and centre half back and even though they did not win a lot of games he still enjoyed his time as Coach at the club. Wayne Matsinos originally came from Broken Hill where he played most of his junior football. Wayne was a regular senior player for Bethanga since 1978 under Alan Curtis and coached the reserves in 1980 making the finals for the first time. Geoff Lowcock coached Bethanga in 1981/82 seasons. Geoff was originally from Geelong where he played for Geelong reserves. Following his stint at Bethanga he moved on playing and coaching at Tallangatta Valley and Mitta United achieving success at both clubs.

Geoff also coached the Tallangatta League Team in later years winning the inter league competition. In 1983 Wayne Matsinos was appointed senior playing coach having gained experience playing under Curtis, Lowcock and Hayes. Brian Manzie was reserve grade coach. Wayne and Brian had played for Bethanga since 1978 and Brian went on to win the TDFL reserves best and fairest in 83’. Early in 83 Bethanga recruited a young bloke from Wodonga not Wodonga Football Club he just lived in Wodonga. He had absolutely no football ability, couldn’t kick and had never played before.

That young bloke was Danny Steel, me. One of my enduring memories that year was cracking my first game mid-season against Kiewa/Sandy Creek at Tangambalanga. I’d been to every training session so Manzie must have thought I was fairly keen so there I was lining up for my first game on the bench. I recall it was almost half time when I got the message from the coaches box. Steel warm up, you’re on. I ran on to the ground to a thunderous applause or was it laughter, I can’t remember. Anyway my glory was short lived due to a miscalculation on my behalf which resulted in a Kiewa goal. Brian wasn’t impressed as he let me know in no uncertain manner and was benched. I recall it being 5 or 6 games before I came back on. Manzie and I have remained good friends and still talk about the incident to this day and still laugh about it as I keep reminding him 20 years on. The 1983 season was a long season with the seniors winning just one game and the reserves winning five. Wayne retired from football at the conclusion of season 83’. One important event that year-my first football trip. The end of season football trip to Canberra. What I remember about that trip. Not much.

1984 Bethanga appointed Alan Bongetti as senior playing coach. A recognized full forward from Clare in South Australia Bongo amassed over 250 senior games and kicked 970 odd goals and achieved premiership success at various clubs as a player and coach. Robert Annett was named as reserves coach. An experienced senior player having had VFL match practice experience with Collingwood. Bongo coached for two years having limited success club wise but enjoying personal success kicking 86 goals in 1984 and cracking the 100 goal mark in 1985 booting 102 adding to his already impressive tally.

I remember Bongo as a very wise football tactician and one of his statements during a torrid training session was “the fitter you are the more you can drink”, a piece of philosophy I’ve sworn by ever since. Bongo moved on coaching and playing for several clubs until his retirement in 1994. Ron Nielson took over the reins in 1986 but with the club lacking key position players it was a long season. Ron was the local policeman at the time and did his best to instil a bit of discipline amongst the players. Ron stood down as coach that year but was still heavily involved with the club for many years as was his son Glen who played 91 games for Bethanga in the juniors. Barry Wise coached Bethanga in 1987 after five years at Lavington in the Ovens and Murray where he notched up 65 games for the Blues. His coaching debut turned out to be a horror season for Wizer and the club. Injuries, lack of players, unavailable etc saw Wisey return to Lavington the following season. That same year Danny Steel (Ditch) reached 50 games. What a milestone-actually 47 of those games were on the bench. Paul Edwards was appointed playing coach in 1988 with Simon Hore as his assistant. Both these players bought a wealth of experience with them having played for Albury Football club. Ian Retallick an old stalwart of the club coached the reserves. That year Thurgoona entered the TDFL with Bethanga being the Bulldogs first scalp. With quite a few injuries that year the club applied a youth policy with vigour. This policy would pay off in the years to come. Also, that same year one of Eddy’s old team-mates from Albury Peter Cross came out to Bethanga and took training one Thursday night. On a sadder note, in 1988 founding member and treasurer Glen Brown passed away. Glen was a true gentleman and a great bloke and was sadly missed by all of us. The club formed a guard of honour at his funeral in respect. One of my memories of Browny was having a beer with the big fella on the eve of his death. He shouted me a beer and I never got the chance to return the shout. But I’ve had many a beer for ya Browny since that night and I reckon you owe me a few.

1989 saw the return of Alan Curtis as non-playing coach for a one year stint with Pud Raynor as reserves coach. Ron Nielson was President that year. We fell short of the finals in both grades, which was disappointing. Alan stood down as coach but stayed on as Vice-President and chairman of selectors in 1990. Simon Plunkett coached in 1990 with Austin Elliott as club President. A topsy-turvy season with a blend of youth and experience combining to become a force in the years ahead.

AUSTEN ELLIOTT-PRESIDENT 1990/91/92/93

1991 was a turning point for the club with Peter Cross being lured to Bethanga as playing coach in what many regard as a recruiting coup. Crossy played 260 matches for Albury Football club, was a member of the 82’ and 85’ premiership teams, was assistant coach in 1987 and was captain in 89’ and 90’. Simon Plunkett stayed on as assistant coach and Gary Paxton was reserve grade coach. Austin Elliott remained as president. The club recruited well that year with former Lavington and Albury Ruckman Peter Brouwer being signed up as well. Crossy bought with him a wealth of experience, a fierce desire to win and instilled a degree of discipline not seen at the club in years. In 1991 Bethanga Football Club made the grand final for the first time since 1938. But it wasn’t our day going down to Holbrook by 15 points. We were so close. During Crossy’s three year term as coach what I remember about those halcyon days was the professionalism, the discipline at the club, the way the locals got involved an aspect that had been missing since the club reformed, players and supporters working together for the ultimate prize. But we didn’t quite have it in our grasp. I recall Crossy saying he would have preferred to have made the grand final in his second year as coach not the first he felt we peaked to early. To me those years were the most exciting years I’ve experienced at the club. Crossy retired at the end of 1993 handing over the reins to assistant coach Fred Welsh another former Albury player with years of experience.

Fred played for Wodonga and Albury after moving from Cobram. Peter Star stayed on as reserves coach second year running. 1994 saw us being competitive but not quite good enough in the end. Fred stood down at the end of 1994 due to work commitments and in fairness to Fred he had big shoes to fill after the Crossy era and I think people probally expected to much from him.

1995 Bethanga was coached by army captain Robert Etchells based at Bonegilla. It was a long season achieving little success. 1996/97 seasons Bethanga was coached by Mick Griffiths a tough no bullshit type of coach. Mick was from the old school in the mould of a Stan Alves. At times he would let his passion and enthusiasm for the game spill over with the players copping the brunt of his anger. But football is a tough game it wasn’t meant to be easy otherwise everyone would be playing this great game of ours. In 1997, yours truly played his first senior game in 14 years of footy at the ripe old age of 37 under coach Mick Griffiths, an event that will remain etched in my mind. Mick retired at the conclusion of 1997.

In 1998 Peter Star played his 300th game for Bethanga. The big fella started playing in the late 70’s and had seen the club through many changes as a Coach, club delegate, best and fairest player, life member and still holds the club record for the most games.

PETER STAR

Tallangatta Valley premiership player Paul Hindle took over the reins in 1998 bringing several players with him. His expertise on and off the field proved invaluable that year winning the club best and fairest but the club struggled that season winning only two games. Spinner stood down as coach at the end of the season for personal reasons but stayed on as a player under new coach Terry Smith. Smithy had coached and played everywhere and was a very experienced campaigner and went on to Coach for the next three years. In 1999 Bethanga played a couple of games at Wodonga’s Martin Park to gauge support for a possible future move as it was getting harder for bush clubs to survive. With lack of funds, support and players etc the club could no longer stay viable. In 2000 Bethanga Football Club moved its home base to Martin Park using the Bulldogs excellent facilities and ensuring the clubs survival. The club retained its identity colours and remained in the TDFL but we still struggled on the field winning very few games.

REUNION OF THE 1991 TEAM 2001

A few old faces returned to the fold with Phil Summerfield as reserves coach and Brian Manzie as his assistant. Season 2001 was much similar to the previous year except we fielded thirds for the first time in four years. The juniors were called Wodonga Saints to attract the local kids and to avoid confusion etc.

With very little success that season winning the wooden spoon Smithy decided enough was enough and stood down. His advice for the club was to go out and spend some money and recruit a playing coach preferably an Ovens and Murray player. The following season in 2002 Veteran Chuck Hedley was appointed Senior playing coach with Kade Butters from Barnawartha and ex-Bethanga player Dave McKenzie from Yack named as his assistant coaches. Chucks mate Laurie Hannon was appointed reserves coach and Paul Wolk was named chairmen of selectors and Anthony Odewahn coached the thirds. The club changed its name to Wodonga Saints and the club purchased new jumpers with a new design and with the new personal and players it was virtually a new club. The Seniors won five games, the Ressies won seven and the Thirds won seven making the Elimination final going down to Dederang/Mt Beauty.

So, it was a big turnaround for the club in 2002. But it was sad leaving Bethanga after all the hard work put into the club over the last 26 years. I have very fond memories of my 20 odd years involved with the club along with countless other people and would have hated to see the club fold. For people like myself being associated with Bethanga and now involved with the new club was a mixture of emotions. Sad that Bethanga was no more but excited to be part of the new club. So now sadly we close the final chapter of Bethanga Football Club. The footy club has now passed into folklore. A club steeped in history, a club that will be remembered as a battler and a club in my mind that will live on forever. No more will we hear carn Bethanga or go saints echo around the Hamlet of Bethanga, no more will we celebrate our wins and rue our losses over a few beers in the clubrooms or Bethanga Pub. All we have are our memories of the good times, the hard times, the sad times, the experiences, the characters of this once proud and determined club. As we move on towards the future with a positive attitude we will achieve the success and rewards that we have hungered for so long and we can look forward to the next 25 years and beyond as we move into the new millennium and a new chapter in the history of Bethanga/Wodonga Saints Football Club. But that’s another story for another time.

Farewell and go Saints.
Danny Steel (Ditch)