Corowa Football Club


The Corowa Football Club, nicknamed the Spiders, was an Australian rules football club based in Corowa, New South Wales, that competed in the Ovens & Murray Football League.
The club merged with the Wahgunyah Football Club on several occasions during its early history and as a result was also known as the Border United Football Club from time to time between 1877 and 1947.
Then in 1979, both Corowa Football Club and Rutherglen Football Club merged to form Corowa Rutherglen Football Club and have played in the Ovens and Murray Football League ever since.

Club History

The Corowa Football club was established by a gentleman called Jacob Levin in 1877. Wahgunyah Football Club soon followed and the first recorded match of the Corowa Football Club was a return match against Wahgunyah Football Club on Saturday, 16 June 1877, played "on the hill" in Corowa, with Wahgunyah winning the first encounter.
As early as 1877, there was talk of the Wahgunyah and Corowa Football merging to form one stronger club and be called Border United Football Club. This merger actually took place and their first match as Border United was played against the Rutherglen Football Club in August 1877 and was captained by Jacob Levin. The Border United team wore pink and white colours.
In 1879, a North East Victorian district football team was compiled to play the Melbourne Football Club in Melbourne on 25 September 1879. Border United players selected in this squad were J Chivell, J Levin and A McLaughlin, resulting in a win to Melbourne.
In 1880, in a match played on the Corowa ground to decide the "unofficial" premiership of the North East District, Border United: 7.14 – 56 defeated Beechworth: 2.1 – 13. Jacob Levin captained the Border side.
In 1884, 20 acres of land along the Murray River near the main bridge across from Wahgunyah was set aside by the NSW Department of Lands as a recreational reserve in Corowa. Regulations were written up in 1911 with the reserve under the management of a group of locally elected trustees.
In 1884, the Corowa Junior footballers travelled to Albury, but were defeated in a close match.
In July, 1887, Border United FC hosted the Essendon Football Club in Corowa, with about 1000 people present, with Essendon, 4.14 – 38 defeating Corowa 3.5 – 23. James Nugent was captain of the Border United FC side.
Border United FC was a very settled club between 1877 and 1905, with annual general meetings and club office bearers reported in the Corowa Free Press newspaper every year. They played many friendly matches against other local towns and teams, prior to entering the O&MFA in 1895.
In 1890, Border United FC had a first 20 side and a second 20 side that played in a number of friendly matches against other local teams.
The Border United Football Club first entered the Ovens and Murray Football League in 1895 and finished third on the ladder. Border United FC remained in the O&MFA between 1895 and 1905.
In 1896, William King - Border United FC was arrested and charged with assaulting umpire Tidyman, cutting his face in a match against Chiltern Football Club. King was fined £3, plus £8 in legal fees in the Corowa Police Court, in default of six months imprisonment. The fine was paid for by several local residents. The Ovens and Murray Football League later disqualified King for life.
In 1897, the Border United and Corowa Federal Junior Football Club's merged after a number of last year's players had left the district.
In 1899, the small town of Corowa boasted four football teams – Border United, Half – Holidays, Pilots and Pirates, as well as Wahgungah across the river.
In 1900 Border United played off for the O&MFA premiership against Excelsior in Rutherglen after both finishing the season on equal points, but lost the match by 10 points, thus finishing as runners up.
In 1902, 1903 and 1904, Border United finished second on the O&MFA ladder at the end of the home and away season. No finals were played in these seasons. In 1905, Border United failed to win a game in the O&MFA. So in early 1906 the Border United FC changed its name to the Corowa Football Club after much discussion at the club's AGM.
At the Border United FC's Annual General Meeting at the O'Leary's Courthouse Hotel on Wednesday, 13 April 1904 and "owing to the apathy shown last year and so far as the present season has gone it was decided to disband the club."
Then on Tuesday, 19 April 1904, a meeting was held at Kelly's Corowa Hotel, it was resolved to re-form and once again enter the O&MFA, with the nominations and elections of the club's office bearers taking place.
In 1904, the Trustees of the Corowa Recreation Reserve co-signed the "Regulations for the management of the recreation ground at Corowa".
At an Ovens and Murray Football Association meeting in Rutherglen on Wednesday, 5 July 1905, the President stated that "the Border United side had disbanded for the remainder of the season", resulting in a winless season.
In 1906 the Corowa and District Football Association was formed and the following teams entered this competition - Balldale, Burryjaa, Corowa, Howlong and Wahgunyah. Corowa Football Club went onto win the premiership, finishing on top of the ladder, with seven wins from eight games.
In 1906, Corowa FC captain, Fred Nixon left Corowa for financial reasons to go and play with the Rutherglen FC.
In 1907, Corowa finishing fourth on the ladder in the Corowa and District Football Association, which was won by the Wahgunyah Football Club.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Border United Football Club in Corowa on Tuesday, 20 May 1908 at the Corowa Hotel, it was decided to change the club's name to the Corowa Football Club after the Wahgunyah Football Club informed them that wanted to run a team by themselves. Both clubs played in the Ovens and Murray Football League in 1908.
In 1909, Corowa once again played in the O&MFL, but in 1910 Corowa FC went into recess as a club. One newspaper article wrote due to "the introduction of professionalism in different teams......it absolutely killed football in Corowa......a number of players now appear to play for whichever club is offering the highest price". Wahgunyah FC played in the O&MFL Junior competition in 1910 and were runners up to Lake Moodermere.
In 1911, the Corowa FC were reformed after a meeting at Jager's Royal Hotel on Tuesday, 4 April and decided to continue to play in the red and black colours as in previous years. They then entered the Rutherglen and District Football Association and played as Corowa FC in 1911 and 1912.
In September 1911, Chas Flowers won a gold medal for winning the Corowa Free Press goalkicking competition.
In 1913, the club changed its name to and was referred to as the Border United Football Club in the local newspaper, The Corowa Free Press. The club lost the Preliminary Final to Rutherglen by five points.
In the 1914 O&MFA Grand Final Rutherglen: 9.9 – 63 defeated Border United: 6.16 – 52 on the Albury Sportsground.
In September 1914, North Melbourne Football Club defeated Border United on the Corowa Recreation Reserve.
In 1918, Border United FC played in the Rutherglen & Murray Football Association consisting of the following sides: Border United, Freehold Ramblers and Lake Rovers, with all funds raised going to the Patriotic Fund. Lake Rovers defeated the Freehold Ramblers in the grand final at Barkly Park Oval, Rutherglen.
In 1919, Border United returned to the O&MFA and wore a red guernsey with black hoops.
When the O&MFA went into recess in 1920, Corowa FC entered the Coreen & District Football Association and competed with - Balldale, Burraja, Coreen, Daysdale and Oakslands. Corowa took out the 1920 premiership, defeating Daysdale in the grand final played at Burraja.
In 1921 Corowa FC returned to the O&MFA and were defeated by St. Patrick's FC in the grand final played at the Albury Showgrounds.
In 1924, Corowa FC appointed former St. Kilda Football Club player, Rex De Garis as playing coach and wore a red jumper with two black vertical stripes on the front of the jumper.
In March 1926, the Corowa Stars Football Club was established to foster young football talent in the town and provide coaching to a team of juniors, who from time to time could fill in for Corowa's O&MFA club. The Corowa Stars initially applied to enter the Coreen & District Football League, but their entry was rejected. Corowa Stars were later accepted into the Chiltern & District Football Association in 1926. The Corowa Stars went onto win the 1927 Chiltern & DFL premiership when they defeated Wodonga Rovers on the Chiltern Football Ground and were captained by Jack Kuschert. Corowa Stars decided to reform after their 1934 – AGM, but it appears they never got up and going and did not enter a team in any local competition and ultimately folded.
In 1926, the Corowa Recreation Reserve hosted the O&MFA grand final when St. Patrick's FC defeated Wangaratta Football Club.
In an interesting move at the conclusion of the 1926 O&MFL season for Corowa FC, coach Maurie Sheahan accepted the coaching job at Walbundrie Football Club for the remainder of the 1926 season.
In 1929, the O&MFA selected Corowa as the venue to host the grand final, when East Albury defeated West Albury.
One of the local Corowa FC stars of the 1920s was forward, Newman Bufford who apparently was "the greatest forward the Murray ever knew. The man Maurie Hunter takes his hat off to."
In 1930, Corowa appointed former St. Kilda Football Club player, Bert Smedley as playing coach.
In 1932, Corowa, captained by Ray "Nana" Baker defeated West Albury Football Club in the Ovens and Murray Football League grand final on the Albury Sportsground.
After the 1932 premiership, Corowa played off for the unofficial championships of North Eastern Victoria against the 1932 Ovens & King Football League premiers, Wangaratta Football Club in Corowa on Saturday, 1st October. Wangaratta defeated Corowa by 12 points.
In 1934, coached by Ray Le Peyre, Corowa were runners up, remarkably to a team called the Border United FC in the O&MFA Grand Final, played on the Albury Sportsground. In 1936, Border United FC would merge with the Albury Football Club when both clubs were short of players and both in debt and took on the name of Albury Football Club.
In 1936, Corowa played with a newly designed jumper, which was all black with a red V across the front and a white number on the rear, which was adopted at the club's AGM.
In 1936, Corowa Recreation Reserve hosted the O&MFL grand final in which Wangaratta Football Club defeated Rutherglen Football Club.
In 1937, former Richmond and Footscray player, Rupert Gibb was appointed as coach.
In 1938 the Corowa Rovers Football Club was formed and entered the Chiltern & District Football League. In 1939 they were captained by Frank "Gunboat" Smith and lost the grand final to the Howlong Football Club. Unfortunately the club disbanded in early 1940 due to World War II, with many young local players joining the military.
In 1939, Corowa FC did not record a win for the season, losing 15 consecutive matches.
In 1941, Len Woods, a 1940 recruit from Rennie Football Club, did pre-season training with South Melbourne Football Club.
In 1941 there appears to be no official Corowa FC meetings held or friendly matches reported in the local paper, the Corowa Free Press.
But in 1942, a local Corowa Military Football Association competition was set up between the "Corowa Town" FC and the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Imperial Force, whose teams where made up of many interstate soldiers based in Corowa, with the RAAF defeating Corowa Town in the grand final, played on the Corowa Recreation Reserve.
In 1943, Corowa FC footballers played a number of friendly matches against other local nearby towns under the banner of both the Royal Hotel and Star Hotel, Corowa, using the names Corowa Royals FC and also the Corowa Stars FC, to raise much needed funds for the local Prisoner of War Appeal and they played for the "Corowa Hostelry Premiership", with the Royals winning by two points.
In 1944, the Border United FC was reformed and they entered the Murray Valley Patriotic Football League, with all funds going to charity. Border United finished runner up to Tungamah Football Club in 1944 and were runners up to Wangaratta Football Club in 1945.
Border United FC played in the O&MFL in 1946 and 1947, with Keith Williams, winning the 1947 O&MFL Morris Medal, prior to heading down to play with Fitzroy Football Club in 1948.
In November 1946, former Richmond Football Club premiership player, Leo Merrett was initially appointed as coach for the 1947 season, but was refused a clearance. The club then appointed former Fitzroy Football Club premiership player, Ken Sier, but his clearance was also refused. The club finally has success with a VFL clearance and appointed former 1944 Fitzroy Football Club premiership player, Stan Wright as captain / coach for the 1947 season. Wright, after injuring his knee in round one, returned in round six against Yarrawonga Football Club, but "his knee could not stand the strain" and he resigned. Border United officials then signed up South Melbourne Football Club player, Tom Roulent as coach, but his clearance was also refused. Local player Jack O'Donoghue then took over as captain/coach for the remainder of the season.
In 1947, South Corowa Football Club was formed and entered a team in the Coreen & District Football League and were coached by former, Fitzroy and North Melbourne player, Neville Huggins and played their home games at the Corowa Racecourse. In 1949, South Corowa lost the grand final by four points to Wahgunyah Football Club at Coreen and were coached by W. Chisnall.
In 1947, the Wahgunyah Football Club reformed after World War II and joined the Coreen & District Football League.
Border United lost the 1947 O&MFL Preliminary Final to Benalla at Rutherglen, after being in front at half time.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Border United Football Club in Corowa on Thursday, 5 February, 1948 it was moved that the club be dissolved and the Corowa Football Club be formed and all assets and liabilities and all its rights and privileges be assumed by the Corowa Football Club.
In early 1949, Corowa FC established a reserves football team, known as the Corowa Stars Football Club and entered the Chiltern & District Football League. They wore a black football jumper, with a red star on the front.
In 1949, Denis "Dinny" Carroll trained with the Essendon Football Club during their pre-season.
On Saturday, 1 October 1949, Corowa FC / O&MFL hosted the Essendon Football Club in a friendly match on the Corowa Recreation Reserve, with Essendon winning a close match against the O&MFL.
In 1950, Bill King coached both Corowa FC and Corowa Stars FC.
In July, 1950, Ken Hansen played in the New South Wales state team on the half back line at the national football carnival held in Brisbane, Queensland.
In September, 1950, Corowa hosted Campberwell Football Club in a match at the Corowa Recreation Reserve.
In round 16, 1951 a young Rennie Football Club player, Jim Sandral made his Ovens and Murray Football League debut for Corowa FC against Wangaratta Football Club, on the Wangaratta Showgrounds and made "an impressive debut". Sandral also played on permit against Wangaratta Rovers Football Club in round two, 1954, before playing a full season with Corowa in 1955 then playing in Melbourne Football Club's 1956 VFL Grand Final premiership, before returning as Corowa's Captain / Coach in 1958 and 1959.
In 1952, the Corowa Stars FC won the premiership in the Chiltern & District Football League against Chiltern Football Club played in Wodonga and were coached by Fred Webb, a former captain of Sandringham Football Club.
At the 1953 Chiltern & District Football League - AGM, the Corowa Star FC successfully applied for a clearance to Ovens and Murray Football League to play in the newly formed O&MFL Reserves competition.
In 1953, Corowa player, Brian Crisfield trained with the Melbourne Football Club during their pre-season after Corowa coach, Tom Lahiff recommended Crisfield to Melbourne.
In 1953, Corowa reserves side won the O&MFL Reserve grade football premiership, defeating Albury Football Club and were coached by Jack Bartlett.
In 1954, former Tasmanian, Bill Byrne was appointed coach.
Two Corowa players, Kevin Schmidt and Leo Farrell trained with the Collingwood Football Club during the 1954 pre-season and apparently showed some promising form.
In 1954, William Dicks with 17 votes, was runner up to Benalla's Kevin Hurley, on 19 votes in the O&MFL Morris Medal.
In April, 1957, Corowa South FC withdrew from the Coreen & District Football League and subsequently folded.
In 1965, Corowa appointed former Footscray player, John Hoiles as captain/coach.
In 1968 former Richmond Football Club player, Fred Swift coached Corowa to a premiership against Wodonga Football Club.
In 1973, Corowa FC entered a "Thirds" team in the new Ovens and Murray Football League Under 18 competition.
The club merged with the Rutherglen FC in 1979, forming the Corowa-Rutherglen Football Club.

Football leagues

Corowa FC and / or Border United FC have played in the following football competitions since 1895.
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Football premierships

The following players played football with Corowa, prior to playing senior football in the VFL, with the year indicating their VFL debut.
The Reverened Father Bonnar's Gold Medal
The S C Janson Cup
The "Maples Medal", donated by Maples Furniture Store Ltd.
Les Harper Cup,
Murray Valley Patriotic Football League,
Border United Football Club.
The club's honourboard displays every year from 1877 to 1978, including the years the club was known as either the Border United Football Club or the Corowa Football Club.
YearPatronPresidentSecretaryTreasurerCaptain/CoachBest & FairestTop GoalkickerPosition
1877???W H McCutchan
1878???Jacob Levin
1879Captain R Hare??Jacob Levin
1880Captain R HareH E WhittonH E WhittonJacob Levinwon 8, lost 1. NE Premiers
1881Captain R HareJ F Donnelly?Jacob Levin9 - Clarkwon 4, lost 1, drew 3
1882Captain R HareJ F DonnellyJ F DonnellyJ Chivell
1883Captain R HareJ F DonnellyJ CarnsJ Carns
1884Captain R HareS ChenhallJ CarnsJ Carns
1885Dr D LoughreyS ChenhallJ CarnsR ThompsonGeorge Clayton
1886P H CarneDave ThomsonAlex ThomsonJas Nugent
1887P S CarneDr D LoughreyDave ThomsonAlex ThomsonJas Nugentwon 4, lost 1, drew 1
1888Dr D LoughreyDave ThomsonAlex ThomsonJas NugentRobert Yateswon 6, lost 1, drew 2
1889P K RichieDave ThomsonAlex ThomsonJas Nugentwon 6, drew 4. NE Premiers
1890P K RichieDave ThomsonDave ThomsonJames Nugentwon 6, lost 3
1891P K RichieDave ThomsonDave ThomsonJames Kennedy
1892P K RichieJames NugentDave ThomsonTom Yates
1893P K RichieDave ThomsonJames NugentOscar Kuschert
1894P K Richie?George ParkinOscar Kuschert
1895Henry A Hay & W WallaceP K RichieJames TaylorGeorge ParkinOscar Kuschert8 - ColemanO&M
1896J P BuggyP K RichieJames TaylorDave ThomsonJames TaylorO&M. 4th
1897J P BuggyAlbert CamplinR C JacksonDave ThomsonE ColemanO&M
1898J RankinP K RichieE SewellAlbert CamplinH MorasO&M
1899H Hay & H BalmeDr. Alfred N ChenhallJ TaylorE SewellJ TaylorE ColemanO&M
1900Dr. Alfred N ChenhallC W L Craig??O&M
1901?C W L Craig & A E Sewell?J TaylorO&M
1902Henry A HayJ A TaylorL RankinMr Rankin?O&M
1903Tim J KellyP K RichieE WoodmanA CamplinSen ColemanO&M
1904Tim J KellyP K RichieE WoodmanTim J KellyAnsteyW KingO&M. won 6, lost 4
1905Henry A HayA CamplinE WoodmanE WoodmanColemanN/AO&M. no wins
1906Henry A HayJ JensenA V RichieJ P GalbraithJ CrisfieldN/ACorowa & DFL. won 7, lost 1. Premiers
1907Henry A HayR O'LearyA V RichieJ P GalbraithE Sewellwon 2, lost 7, abandoned 1.
1908Henry A HayJ ChivellJ YuleJ P GalbraithA JacksonO&M
1909Henry A HayJ ChivellChas JacksonJ P GalbraithO&M
1910CFC in recess
1911Henry A HayJ P BuggyJ A Taylor & Jas YuleJ A TaylorThomas ParsonsW McLeilanRutherglen & DFA
1912Henry A HayJ P BuggyJ A Taylor & F LeonardJ A TaylorOlgivieL Crispfield &Rutherglen & DFA
J Luxton
1913Henry A HayA C LeslieJ A TaylorJ A TaylorP NugentO&M
1914Henry A HayGeorge F VincentJ A TaylorJ A TaylorA KuschertO&M. 2nd, won 5, lost 3
1915Henry A HayGeorge F VincentJ A TaylorJ A TaylorP NugentN/AO&M
1915J Power & C GribbleTook over from Taylor
1916George F VincentJ A TaylorT StackpoolO&M/BUFC in recess
1917O&M/BUFC in recess
1918J WebsterRutherglen & Murray FA. 3rd
1919F PallottJ W Crum & G N FullerFrank FitzgeraldO&M
1920William AndersonMr JacksonFrank FitzgeraldCoreen & DFA. Premiers
1921William AndersonJ ComerfordJ ComerfordFrank FitzgeraldO&MFL. 2nd
1922Harry A Hay JnrWilliam AndersonJ R BeamanT M StackpoolR H WilliamsO&MFL. 3rd
1923Harry A Hay JnrWilliam AndersonR J Beaman &G SlatteryH F MartinO&MFL. 3rd
James Russell &1 month appointment
Frank Galbraithnew secretary
1924Harry A Hay JnrW YottG M HandasydeW ParkerRex De GarisO&MFL. 3rd
1925Harry A Hay JnrT H WadeF A SimmonsW ParkerFred G JohnsonO&M. 7th
192612 x PatronsT H WadeF A SimmonsJ CurtainFrank HuggardO&MFL. 6th
Maurie Sheahan
1927T H WadeF A SimmonsJ CurtainGerald GleesonO&M. 7th
1928T H WadeJ Curtain/M RosierF A SimmonsAlbert AndersonO&MFL. 6th
1929T H WadeW M JohnsonJ CurtainAlbert AndersonO&M. 5th
1930Rev John BonnarJ A MunroA FieldBert SmedleyRay BakerO&M. 6th
1931Aubrey McKenzie &Thomas HowellR Grace &Aubrey McKenzie &74 - Ray BakerO&MFL. 2nd
Albert AndersonJ McLeanFrank Smith
1932M J RobertsThomas HowellJ McLeanRay BakerO&MPremiers, won 13, lost 2
1933?M J RobertsThomas HowellJ McLeanRay BakerO&MFL. 3rd
1934?M J RobertsThomas HowellJ McLeanRay Le PeyreO&MFL. 2nd
1935?Ray Le Peyre &Thomas Howell &J McLeanRay Le Peyre &Thomas WellsO&MFL. 4th
R SweetingRod WildingRay Baker
1936R SweetingS C JansonH J MaceyRay BakerO&MFL. 4th
1937R SweetingS C JansonH J MaceyRupert Gibb &Bob WhinrayO&MFL. 5th
Ray Le Peyre
1938P W PritchardRon WildingS C JansonRay BakerFrank BellO&MFL. 5th
1939P W PritchardJohn StrongS C JansonG NaylorA C YatesO&MFL. 6th
1940P W PritchardS C JansonFrank BellO&MFL. 6th
1941?
1942?T DaviesCMFA - 2nd
1943?
1944Norman GreigR EalesMrs D ThomasPte Joe AlexanderPeter Gale? 27 plus. Keith ThomasonMVPFA. 2nd
1945George S SmithNorman Greig &Keith Doyle &Mrs D ThomasW GrantleyPeter Gale &? 36 plus. Keith ThomasonMVPFA. 2nd
Fred A MasonG O'DonnellKeith Williams
1946George S Smith &Fred A MasonG O'Connell &Tom PapworthRay Baker? 27 - Robert TaitO&M. 5th
Charles RuwoltWes Turner
1947George S Smith &H R Roy FreddricksT AshTom PapworthStan Wright &Peter Gale46* - Keith ThomasonO&M. 3rd
Charles RuwoltJack O'Donoghue
1948George S Smith &H R Roy FreddricksS Buckley &J G GrayLaurie Taylor? 28 - Frank Caddan &O&M. 6th
Charles RuwoltR Watts? 28 - Keith Thomason
1949Eric SkehanS Buckley &John Strong &Bill KingW "Chic" O'Donoughue28* - Ken HansenO&M. 3rd
J S PritchardB Wright-
1950George J BottMr. KellyMatt LaneBill KingW "Chic" O'Donoughue? 32 plus Jack RippingaleO&M. 6th
1951.Dinny DowdJack BartlettMatt LaneTom LahiffDinny Carroll? 22 plus Tom LahiffO&M. 10th
1952George J BottTom LahiffJack Tyrrell? 16 plus - Brian CrisfieldO&M. 10th
1953J BartlettE Landon?Keith WilliamsDinny Carroll? 27 plus Keith WilliamsO&M. 9th
1954S J SelbyKevin MolanG RosserBill ByrneWilliam "Willy" Dicks? 28 plus Bill DicksO&M. 9th
1955H R Roy FreddricksKevin MolanBill ByrneO&M.
1956Norm MinnsO&M. 8th
1957Norm MinnsO&M.
1958Jim SandralO&M.
1959Jim SandralO&M.
1960Frank TuckJim SandralO&M.
1961Frank TuckJim SandralO&M.
1962Frank TuckJim SandralO&M.
1963Frank TuckJim SandralO&M. 2nd
1964Frank TuckJim SandralO&M.
1965John HoilesGeorge McInnesO&M.
1966John HoilesO&M.
1967John HoilesO&M.
1968Fred SwiftO&M. Premiers
1969Fred SwiftO&M.
1970O&M.
1971O&M.
1972O&M.
1973O&M.
197438 – G JonesO&M.
1975O&M.
1976O&M.
1977Norm SmithO&M.
1978Norm SmithO&M.
1979Merged with Rutherglen
YearPatronPresidentSecretaryTreasurerCoachBest & FairestTop GoalkickerPosition

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