With the 2022 season almost upon us, I thought it may be interesting to have a look at what was happening in Tasmanian football 50 years ago.
Half a century ago is a long time, so let’s look at what was going in in 1972.
There were money problems at the Tasmanian Soccer Association and there was a proposal to cut referee fees by 25 per cent.
Referees were being paid $6 a game in the Cambridge League, which was the southern top-flight competition, and linesmen were paid $3 each.
The Cambridge League comprised 10 teams so the weekly cost for referees for the five games was $60.
Loss of income was attributed in part to poor allocation of games. It was felt that the top games should be played at South Hobart to increase the TSA’s revenue, while less appealing games could be played at Grove Road in Glenorchy.
The referees would have none of it and to placate the TSA the referees’ association donated $108 to the TSA, which resolved the issue.
There was also a move to reduce the Cambridge League from 10 teams to 6, but none of the clubs would have a bar of this and the idea was shelved.
The 10 southern teams in the Cambridge League were: Juventus, Olympia, Croatia-Glenorchy, Rapid, White Eagles, Northern Suburbs Caledonians, Dnipro, South Hobart, University and Metro.
There were many coaching changes for the 1972 season.
John Kirkpatrick moved from South Hobart to take over at Croatia-Glenorchy, while Barry Shacklady was the new coach in charge of Dnipro.
Karl Schwesinger was the new supremo at South Hobart, while John Grimsey was coach at Metro.
Duncan Summers was coach of Juventus and Ken Baker of White Eagles.
Bill Patterson coached Northern Suburbs Caledonians.
Rapid’s coach was the Dane, Kurt Lundin. It later transpired that his real name was Kurt Olsen and the story was that he’d jumped ship in Adelaide. As Kurt Olsen, he became a recognised artist and painter in Hobart in later years.
Then, just as now, young players were ken to seek their fortune on the Mainland.
Metro’s Robin Mills (18) tried his luck in Sydney with St George Budapest and Marconi but returned to Tasmania.
Dnipro goalkeeper Michael Gaff had trials in Sydney, as did Juventus’s John Genovesi, with Marconi.
Genovesi returned to Tasmania to complete his apprenticeship and to have a rest. He said training with Marconi was four times as hard as with Juventus.
One of Genovesi’s team-mates at Juventus, Eric Owen, had just returned from a period in the UK but broke his pelvis just 30 seconds into his first game of the season for Juventus against South Hobart at Grove Road.
Vic Tuting threatened to resign as president and chairman of the Tasmanian Soccer Association at the age of 67. He was also president and chairman of the Tasmanian Soccer Football Council and vice=president of the Australian Soccer Federation.
He ended up changing his mind and continuing in the roles.
Karl Schwesinger, 31, player-coach of South Hobart, won the 1972 Rothmans Gold Medal, worth $500 and awarded to Southern Tasmania’s best and fairest players as voted by the referees. He had coached Juventus to the title the previous season, when the Rothmans Gold Medal ws first instituted and it was won in that inaugural year by another South Hobart player-coach, John Kirkpatrick.
There was no State League in 1972 and to try and redress the imbalance in State soccer, a State-wide Ampol Cup competition was formed. It involved all the teams in the top-flight southern and northern competitions.
Olympia won the Ampol Cup that year by beating Launceston United in the final.
A junior ‘jugglethon’ was a conducted for youngsters throughout the State in 1972. It involved juggling the ball in the air for as long as possible without it hitting the ground.
Andreas Fuerst from Cosgrove High School proved to be the best juggler in State under-14 section. He juggled the ball an amazing 1,125 times.
There were senior representative matches, too, in 1972.
Karl Schwesinger was Tasmania’s coach for the game against Coburg on 7 October 1972 at Grove Road.
The Tasmanian squad was:
B Cengia (Juventus), W Stuetzel (Rapid), D Poulter (Metro), M Richards (Olympia), J Genovesi (Juventus), M Lakoseljac (Croatia-Glenorchy), G Sarfalvy (Croatia-Glenorchy), L Hodge (Ravenswood Olympic), M Brown (George Town), C Baird (Devonport), T McKenna (Devonport).
Reserves: F Letec (Croatia-Glenorchy), M Gaff (Dnipro), H Robertson (Olympia), H Streit (Northern Juventus), K Leung (Croatia-Glenorchy), J McCormick (St Leonard’s Rovers).
Tasmania won 6-2 after leading 3-0 at half-time. Streit 3, MacKenna, Sarfalvy and Lakoseljac were Tasmania’s scorers, while Coburg replied through Loughran and Smith.
Northern Suburbs Caledonians took on a team from the visiting Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Duchess and won 10-1. Caledonians’ scorers were B Siggins 4, G Arnott 3, Baker 2 and Fraser, while a sailor by the name of Sernig replied for the ship.
Miss Soccer was 17-year-old Miss White Eagles, Susan Rozmaryniewicz. She was a student at Hobart Matric College and she was crowned by the Tasmanian Premier, Eric Reece.
Uring the season, Metro and White Eagles both claimed they were offered bribes to throw games, but nothing ever came of the accusations.
State coach Karl Schwesinger said at the end of the season he would be leaving South Hobart to coach White Eagles in 1973. Alan Mackie was appointed as South Hobart coach for 1973.
Illawarra District Soccer Association from New South Wales visited Tasmania and beat Southern Tasmania 2-0, the goals coming from a penalty by McLeod and another goal by Kerr.
Barry Shacklady left as coach of Dnipro at the end of the season to coach Metro in 1973. He had joined Olympia from Metro in 1962 and played for Tasmania against Chelsea and South Australia.
The Mercury’s best Southern Tasmania player rankings for 1972 were: 1. Dudley Hall (Croatia-Glenorchy), 2. Billy Jones (Juventus), 3. J Genovesi (Juventus), 4. Hugh Robertson (Olympia), 5. Phil Owen (Juventus), 6. Mike Richards (Olympia), 7. Eric Owen (Juventus), 8. George Sarfalvy (Croatia-Glenorchy), 9. Brian McKay (Olympia), 10. Joe Allan (Metro).
Johnny Genovesi won the best and fairest award for Juventus, who were the State Premiers.
Metro coach John Grimsey announced he would coach Olympia in 1973 and take over from John Margaritis, a Greek international. Margaritis, one of Australia’s best coaches, was leaving Olympia and going to England to complete the coaching qualifications he had started two years previously.
English import Bill Jones was announced as the new Juventus coach for 1973 to replace Duncan Summers. Juventus also announced that they were to remain a professional club that paid its players.
Croatia-Glenorchy advertised that they would play Melbourne Croatia at the end of the season in a friendly at Berriedale (the ground was where the bowling club is now, near MONA.
The 1972 winners Southern winners were:
State Premiers: Juventus
Cambridge League (Southern Top Flight): Juventus
Ampol Cup: Olympia (beat Launceston United in this new State-wide competition)
Association Cup: Juventus
Lloyd Triestino Cup: Croatia-Glenorchy
The squads of 1972 were:
Metro: Howlin, Cook, Stewart, Tria, Rae, W Peters, Allan, Poulter, Gibson, Adamczyk, Collins, Reid, Davis.
Rapid: Marquardt, McKewing, Gerven, John Dilba, Jack Dilba, Wolfgang Stuetzel, Stefan Stuetzel, Todorovic, Fischer, Pless, J Stee, Cislo, Dymond, Wright, Lustic, Matthias, Fuchs.
Olympia: Heazlett, Lynas, G Vail, R Vail, Hargrave, Robertson, Wright, Hawes, McKay, Norman, Stanton, Manis, Reid, Abberley.
Northern Suburbs Caledonians: Jones, Fraser, Wallner, Noor, Mackinnon, Wilson, Arnott, B Siggins, Spendiff, Young, Godfery, Hindmarsh, Fraser.
South Hobart: Barker, Webb, Crawford, Schwesinger, Mackie, Patterson, Jones, Martelli, Carrick, Coles, E Rawlings, Stephens, Aiken.
Croatia-Glenorchy: Puclin, Payne, Cahut, Thornhill, Plazonic, Kirkpatrick, Hall, Lakoseljac, Buckingham, Letec, Curckovsky, Prodan, Milic.
Juventus: Cengia, Toro, Watson, Duthie, Falzon, Hanna, P Wood, Meale, West, B Woods, P Owen, E Owen, Longo, Rizzolo, Mione.
University: Moase, Swain, Sumner, Atkinson, N Sugden, C Sugden, Joughin, Taylor, Pidd, Butler, Enright, Willink.
Dnipro: P Lagerewski, W Lagerewski, L Lagerewski, Harvey, Zapatocki, O’Brien, Howell, Herweynen, Chadwick, Dienno, Rafferty, Shacklady
White Eagles: D Siggins, Hoyle, Goss, Davis, Biggar, Stewart, Stoddart, Baker, Prodanovic, Osuchowski, Rakowski, Harabash, Rayner, McKenna.
As for junior Tasmanian representative squads, here are some. Some of the names are still associated with football today.
State Under-20s: Michael Gaff, Chris Jones, Andy Collins (capt), Chris Howell, Wayne Goninon, Dave McKean, Larry Nunn, Rodney Cole, Walter Lagerewski, Tony Stewart, Greg Joughin (Reserves: Tony Adamcyzk, Joe Martelli, Eneio Longo, Paul Davey, Ross Webb)
State Under-14s: Peter Griffin, Russell Coleman, Joe Pavic, Michael Bygraves, Martin Thornhill, Stephen Pitchford, Dominc Fraraccio, Roland Lietz, Robert Rybak, Clifford Morgan, Bill Kirkpatrick (South), William Buchanan, Chris Dockray, Tomothy Beaumont (North-West), Conrad Hughes, Braden Carter (North).
State Under-13s: Leon Dolliver (Taroona), Steven Huddlestone (Clarence), Peter Crowther (The Friends School), Michael McCullum (Geilston Bay), Christopher Baker (New Town High), Andrew Smith (Claremont High), Stephen Kannegiesser (Savio), Andrew Wilcock (Warrane), Robert Mione (St Virgils), Paul Marlor (The Friends School), Kevin Clamp (Claremont High), Christian Turner (Claremont High), Graham Mitchell (Taroona High), Victor Huddlestone (Clarence), Mathew Eastman (Clarence), Richard Ward (The Friends School). The coach was Jack Smith and the manager was Rodger Marlor.
27 comments:
Wonderful reflections...thank you.
Awesome story thanks Walter.
Another great read.
maybe they should bring back the Miss football award
Another sensational write up Walter. Your knowledge is and has always been outstanding. Very much looking forward to your journalism for the up coming 2022 season. Well done ⚽️
Thanks Walter, made my debut in 1972 at Metro played last 2-3 games of the season whilst at Claremont High - recognise so many of the players who had the fortune to play with or against - boy I am feeling old -David Smith
your support and knowledge of Tasmanian football is unsurpassed another great reminder of our football history,well done.regards alex.
Great article and such a wealth of the game’s history in the state well done Walter. Also 1972 was the last time the Glenorchy City Council cleaned the toilets at Grove Road!
That is not true...I was personally there when they cleaned them just before the start of the 1987 season.
I think your both lying. I've never seen them clean.
Walt, I hope you've enjoyed your off-season.
Will you be resuming your football coverage for the Summer cup starting this week?
Or, are you hanging out until the season proper?
All the best,
Al.
Oh dear, more of the same unfortunately. I just saw where Slice of Cheese is no longer. I remember talking to Palmer and Gill when it was set up because the FFT site was dull, boring and ultimately controlled by FFA. It was easy to criticise Slice of Cheese because it always painted such a positive image of what FFT we’re doing, when things weren’t perfect but at least it was bright, interesting and fairly up to date. From time to time it was even pretty funny. This is the perfect example of things continuing to go backwards. According to the FT site it will be tucked away in the news section of the corporate website. Don’t they realise coverage of the game will disappear even further. Walter please keep doing what you are doing before football vanishes off the island completely. This latest move demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of social media. Bye Slice of Cheese, you were good while you lasted.
Hi Alex
I haven't made a decision as yet, but thanks for asking. I may give the Summer Cup a miss as I'm getting a bit long in the tooth and it may not be the best place to be at present. It's my 43rd year if I do go another round and I don't know if I'm up for it. I'll see how things develop.
Cheers!
Walter
Walter I don't blame you for one second. The game in this state is an absolute joke and I cant see it improving in the near future. Clubs holding a gun to the head of the administrators threatening to withdraw from certain leagues. Let them withdraw but then do not allow them back when the club feels it is OK again. Now is it the club that doesn't want to participate or the players dictating to the club ?
Player payment has also affected the game I believe. I go back a few years when a club was demoted to the league below and in order to try and attract players , offered obscene money to fringe NPL players from other clubs , who were not good enough for NPL at their original club. These players left for the $$$$$ and now most of them are no longer playing any longer. That then initiated another round of obscene levels of $$$$$ being splashed around but now that particular club is losing players left right and centre for various reasons.
Payment of players is not an issue in principal but no-one in Tasmania is worth anywhere near $400 per game or more. What this situation has created is a group of mercenaries who now prostitute themselves around to clubs offering the most. Once you have been to one or two of these clubs who are capable of paying that level of $$$$$, then what ?????
The next problem is that the players believe they are better than they are and act as if the club OWE them. Well it is the other way around .If the club has developed you as a player/person you then owe the club in return . Not the other way around.
The game is at crisis point I believe and a world away from where it was When J Boulos was CEO.His leaving has been to the detriment of the game big time.
The only example of a club that has NOT been successful paying players is Zebras.
All the others that paid players are the only successful clubs in the last 10 years.
Bottom line paying players works. Devonport South Hobart Olympia Knights.
Anon 12.13pm
As I stated I am not against paying players. I am against paying, as an example, ex reserve players from an NPL club $200 per game to go to a Champ club. That is ludicrous and such players are no longer playing anyway. SO what has that club achieved? It doesn't matter which club it is , that is irrelevant. It is the situation that is not right.
The Zebras comment you made is correct but there are reasons for them not winning anything but we will leave alone.
The money that Knights have spent is f.... ridiculous however, and it appears things are unravelling there if all the rumours are true.
South did pay a selected few, whether the club paid or sponsor paid, but they had all their home grown players with ability, all leave the club over a period of a few years and have struggled ever since. Why is that ?
Again the money grabbers took the money to the detriment of their own grown players , many of which were not regarded as good enough a few years ago.Imagine if South still had players like Bowman, Schmidt, Hall , Walter, Skalkos and many many more .They may still be a powerhouse now rather than having let all these boys down through poor management/loyalty. They did then scream to everyone when all these players left for money coupled with comments like, " we cant afford to pay players !"
As I said paying players is fine but not to the level some clubs offer.
Is is a big problem and will continue to be .
ANON 12:13. Nice cheapshot to start. So playing players works does it? Knights have spent, we all know. It just got them a flag, just. Olympias money got them what 1 flag? Both clubs are now in a nosedive as players leave in their droves.
It doesn't look like spending money did either any good in the end except becoming despised clubs. Splashing the cash might work in Victoria or NSW but not here.
Walter I hope you do 1 more year at least. Without you we lose our local coverage. The Mercury isn't great and with slice of cheese gone your our only hope.
Anon 9.23pm.Sorry not a cheap shot! Statement of fact !
You are actually agreeing with my thoughts on being paid .
It is the LEVEL OF PAYMENT offered players which is way beyond what they are worth or reflective of their ability which is the issue.
That is my point from the start so you are agreeing with me .
Players were paid in the 70s 80s and 90s but not to the level some clubs are doing now.
The sport was thriving back then so that is proof that the right level of payment can and does work.
It's up to clubs to determine someones worth. Take into account the amount of time players put in x3 sessions a week plus a game.
Football is a circle everything goes around, players need clubs and clubs need players. The opposite is true also as soon as someone doesn't fulfil a requirement or meet an expectation other options are looked at. Loyalty goes both ways, junior and youth players unless they have their rego paid for or trips away paid for by the club why is it they owe anything? They're a paying customer.
Clearly you are up to date on current matters over the last few years at NPL level. Your post just reaks of lazy assumption and generalisations. You have no idea why individuals make decisions about their playing futures or where they play.
Why does it matter if a club in the championship wants to spend money on someone. If they pay x amount for a player they see as vital and the club achieve whatever it is they deem to be a success then good on them. It's the value the club sees in the player.. not you or anyone else.
Why is it a concern for you if players that were there 4 years ago aren't now?
The paying of players isn't a problem the worrying and whinging about it is. It happens it's not going away unless it's your club and your on the committee then why do you care? Out touch.
Yoda. You are way off.
The reason players give to clubs for leaving is that another club has offered them $$$$$ and that is why they are going ? I am not assuming or generalising anything . That is fact .
Clubs that cant attract players can only do so my offering $$$$$$ which is generally a ridiculous figure .
Regarding your second post , you obviously are a little naive. It is not a concern for me if players are no longer there 4 years later. It confirms my point however that these players left where they were for $$$$$ and now are no longer there . Is that because that club then began offering even more $$$$ to better standard players that the ones who originally went were no longer good enough and replaced by the new mercenaries ? That is my point.
You may not understand though.
AND your last sentence......I dont give a toss but I am concerned for the future AND IMPOROVEMENT of the game locally. Unlike some others who cant understand what is being said.
Lets see how the biggest spending club over the past two years by a mile, Kingborough, will go this year.
Fair call then. I do agree with you, sorry if it came across differently. For some reason the quality of those players back in the day are individually better than the modern day player. No way were they fitter than today's players but the made up for it with skill. As for the payments, they were worth it. This lot not so much and it shows in the standard of the NPL.
Hi Walter
I have heard that White Eagles have picked up a few players like young Hugi from Knights, a very promising young player. Wilson from Beachside along with Andrews and Fisher.
I think South will be the big improvers in the NPL White Eagles to win the title again and South to give Clarence a run for their money in the WSL
Clubs can only attract because of the money? Now that is a generalisation if I've ever heard.
Players leave clubs because they want change or better for themselves. It could be to play with better team mates or could be a coach. Who cares if they were there for money your argument is so difficult to get. What is your point and it's reason?
"They only went for money yes they won but what did it get them!"
Anyway agree to disagree
Yoda......sorry . You dont know what you are talking about/
Lets leave it there.
Good one you got him
An injury time winner...
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