Putney Magpies


The Putney Magpies is an Australian rules football and netball club based in Putney and Fulham area of South East London, England. The club fields teams in each of the three AFL London divisions — Premiership, Conference and Social. The associate Netball is called the Putney Blackbirds.

History

The London Gryphons were founded in 1999 by former West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Bears player Mark Zanotti along with BARFL Admin Officer Donald Eastwood who originally played with the Earls Court Kangaroos, and have competed in the British Australian Rules Football League since that year. The club was originally made up of former rugby players and were predominantly British. After Zanotti's return to Australia after one year where the Gryphons made the finals, the Gryphons struggled both off-field and on-field, and eventually formed a partnership with the London Collingwood Supporters group, changing their name and colours to match those of the AFL's Collingwood Magpies.
The Putney Magpies were started in 2004 by Simon Thorp in his capacity as President of the London Collingwood Supporters Club, a phoenix rising from the ashes of the London Gryphons. Simon landed some good sponsorship, attracted some of the former Gryphons players, and with a bit of help from Eddie and the Collingwood Football Club, the Putney Magpies were born. Simon remained as President for the first two years.
The Putney Magpies Football Club made the 2004 Conference Grand Final in its first year as a club, a top four finish in 2005, developed five International players who represented their country in the 2005 British Bulldogs tour to Melbourne for the AFL International Cup, and boasted the 2005 Conference Best and Fairest winner and both the 2004 and 2005 Grand Final half time 'Dash for Cash' winners.
In seasons 2008 and 2010, the Putney Magpies competed in the London AFL Premiership Grand Final.
Putney now field three teams in the AFL London Competition with a side to suit all levels and abilities. The Premiership side must field 5 non-aussies and 4 British players on the field while the Conference side only has to field 2. The Social team is for anyone who wants to come down and try our great game for the first time.
The Premiership side is coached by former Richmond, Essendon and Collingwood player Mark Pitura who also played games for Sturt in the SANFL.
The Pies are now entering their 10th season in the AFL London competition and are now going from strength to strength in the number of participants involved in the club.

Training and Matches

The club trains at Hurlingham Park every Sunday at 1pm from the first weekend of Feb during the pre-season, then switches to Tuesdays and Thursday evenings from 6.30pm in South Park, Parsons Green after Easter once the daylight becomes longer.
Home games are played on Wimbledon Common at the Richardson Evans memorial playing fields in Putney Vale every Saturday during the summer months from early May until late July. Away games are played all through London. Finals are played in the month of August.

Honour board

COMMITTEE
YearPresidentVice-PresidentSecretaryTreasurerCaptain
2004Simon ThorpMatt SimeMatt Sime
2005Simon ThorpMatt SimeViktor Zabori
2006Ben ConnollyMatt SimeMatt Sime
2007Ben ConnollyMatt SimeMatt SimeAlex Thompson
2008Mick MullinsBlair RiseboroughGraham TuffinAlex Thompson
2009Pete O'NeillBrad McLeodCharlie CraigBrad McLeod
2010Mark PituraAaron WilliamsPhil McLeodSteven TindaleAaron Williams/Paul Sosic
2011Mark PituraPaul SosicJimmy LloydSteven TindaleLiam Flanagan/Paul Sosic
2012Mark PituraSteven TindaleGreg Chapman/Andrew Slevison
2013Mark PituraTaryn DawsonRob PatersonBrad BuschGreg Chapman/Andrew Lawson

PREMIERSHIP
YearPositionCoachBest & FairestLeading GoalkickerBest EU/Non Aussie
2004Remon GazalGareth Edwards/Remon GazalSteve ConnollyPhil Holby
2005Ben ConnollyTommy LangfordJoe CordwellChris Dickson
2006Andrew TweediePete O'NeillJoe CordwellChris Dickson
20074thAndrew TweedieAlex ThompsonRick TalbotAndy Ruinoff
20082ndMark PituraAlex Thompson/Pete O'NeillJustin HunterAndy Ruinoff
20093rdMark PituraAaron WilliamsJoe PedlerChristian Maine
20102ndMark PituraGreg HessePete McGettiganPaul Harris/Andy Ruinoff
20114thMark PituraJosh CuttenAndrew Slevison John Scott
20123rdAlex GunnClayton FitzgeraldAndrew Slevison James O'Connor
2013

CONFERENCE
YearPositionCoachBest & FairestLeading Goalkicker
2004Remon GazalLauchlan MacKinnonNick Dallimore
2005Jeremy CogdonDave Van HorneNick Dallimore
2006Remon GazalScott RichmondNick Dallimore/Matt Sime
20074thMark PituraBlair RobertsonSteve Connolly
20083rdBlair RiseboroughChris ConnollyNick Salter
20093rdMark PituraMatt BestMark Pitura/Ryan Batt
20105thMark PituraBrad PozziNick Maddock
20115thMark PituraLuke HowardLuke Howard
20124thPat MahonJarred JonesPat Mahon
2013

YearGreat Britain Representatives
2004N/A
2005Phil Holby, Simon Jones, Chris Dickson, Jon Dickson, Chris Glen, Paul Harris
2006Chris Dickson, Jon Dickson, Nick Stevens, Paul Manley, Chris Glen, Paul Harris
2007Andy Ruinoff, Chris Dickson, Amerigo Holthouse, Paul Harris, Paul Manley
2008Andy Ruinoff, Amerigo Holthouse, Paul Harris, Graham Tuffin, Christian Lloyd, Aiden Dillane
2009Rob Harmeston, Christian Lloyd, Christian Maine, Paul Harris, Andy Ruinoff
2010Rob Harmeston, Paul Harris, Andy Ruinoff, Adam Street, Martyn Hinchey
2011Paul Harris, Tom Mercer, Mark Todd
2012N/A
2013Paul Harris, Mark Todd, Will Murrells, Eliott Rich, Rob Harmeston

International matches