P | (08) 8532 4950 PO Box 139, Murray Bridge SA 5253
By Harold G McLaren
In March 1922 those interested in football in Murray Bridge were divided into three teams namely Bridgeport, Rovers and United to form the Murray Bridge Football Association. Twelve minor round games were played plus seven Association matches against other teams. Information is sketchy on the 1923 season with Tailem Bend joining the three Murray Bridge teams in season 1924. These four teams competed again in 1925.
In 1926 a Murray Bridge Football Club was formed and this Club joined the Hills Football Association together with the existing Rovers Football Club. The other Clubs in the Hills competition were Mt. Barker, Strathalbyn, Onkaparinga & Milang. All six clubs competed again in the 1927 season
In early 1928 both Murray Bridge and Onkaparinga football clubs intimated they would again compete and were included in the original draw for the coming season. Prior to the season starting however both clubs decided to withdraw leaving only four teams in the competition. The teams were Rovers from Murray Bridge, Mt.Barker, Strathalbyn & Milang. These four teams competed again in 1929.
When both Mt.Barker and Strathalbyn withdrew at the start of the 1930 season it killed interest in senior football in Murray Bridge according to a press report of the day.
Whilst another press report (February 1931) stated only junior matches were played in Murray Bridge in 1930 this appears to be incorrect. A four team competition called The River Murray Football Association was in existence in 1930. Competing teams were Port Mannum, Mypolonga, Ponde and Bridgeport. Player names published in press reports suggest that Bridgeport was in fact a Murray Bridge team.
On Wednesday 27th May 1931 a meeting was held in the Murray Bridge Institute with a decision taken to form a local association. Key officials elected that night were A.W.Channon (chairman & arbitrator) with Sid Bradford as secretary/treasurer. Joint patrons of the association were messrs C. Forde and J.R. Noble.
The players of the recently formed Murray Bridge Fooball Club were the split into two teams, namely Murray Bridge Imperials and Murray Bridge RAMBLERS. Mypolonga Football Club accepted an invitation to form a three-team association and thus the River Murray Football Association, the forerunner of today’s River Murray Football League, was born. Mannum and Ponde football clubs were unable to accept the late invitation to join the new competition.
FORMATION & COMMENCEMENT OF THE RAMBLER FOOTBALL CLUB.
In 1931 it was arranged for two of the most prominent footballers from the Murray Bridge Football Club to divide the Club’s talent as equally as possible. The players selected to do this task were Kevin (China) Harford and Roy Pfitzner.
The footballers in Roy Pfitzner’s selection became the first playing members of the Rambler Football Club. No definite evidence is available but it is believed the first officers were:
Patron - Dr. N. Munday, President - J.G. Bridgeman
Secretary - C.E. Gardner, Chairman - A.R. Cameron.
The Club’s first coach was Francis William H. Green.
Eric Pfitzner was chosen as first Captain. A trial match was played on June 6th against Imperials ending in a tie. Ramblers 8 –12 to Imperials 9 - 6.
The first match of the minor round was played on the Showgrounds on June 8th with Imperials defeating Ramblers 11-10 to 10-13, in a match which was described as “The game was a good one and was enjoyed from a spectator point of view!”
The Rambler team of 1931 was Eric Pfitzner(captain), Roy Pfitzner, Cyril Drogemueller, Baden Powell, Horrie Powell, Glen Sladden, Alwyn Sladden, Tommy Annandale, Jim Hay, Stan Watson, Colin Moss, Jack Illingworth, Les Phillips, Harry Barnes, Wally Thacker. Laurie Cremer, Cliff Kennett, Jeff Pilmore, Bill Schultz, Barrie Acott & Murray Pike.
Interest was high throughout the season, particularly when Ramblers and Imperials met, all three teams in the association were evenly matched. Rambler-Imperial matches could not have been keener or closer. Each team had beaten each other twice before the challenge match, won by Imperials. Kevin Harford and Roy Pfitzner had certainly divided the town’s talent “as equally as possible!”
The bye was used in playing teams from neighbouring towns such as Jervois B and Callington, and on one occasion we entertained a Point McLeay team. The Club selectors met at A.R. Cameron’s café each Thursday night and the team was posted on the notice board outside the café on Friday. With Friday night’s shopping many a match was played beforehand “on Friday nights!” The club had star barrackers, the most vocal and colourful were Guy Hoare and “Granny Schultz”.
The Association Medal for Best & Fairest in the Association was won by Roy Pfitzner.