RUSSELL HARE

When did you join NAFC? 

2001

How did you first become involved with the club?

After playing cricket for Collingwood Park a friend Craig Hitchcock asked me to fill in for reserves as they were struggling to field a side.

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

19

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

I have many but will mention two, the 2006 League premiership and being awarded life membership.

What were your roles in the club?

Player, coach, water boy, supporter, committee member, vice president, president.

Who was your biggest influence at the club?

Rod Gillies & Brett Hall.

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

A good mate Shane “Chuck” Hartney was always a lively figure around the club both on and off the field. I remember a league game he came bursting out of the middle, storming towards the 50 to tick a goal, to find out he was kicking in the wrong direction. Chuck also provided much entertainment after dark, leading the charge at the club (socially) and into town to the wee hours of the morning.

 

ALAN BARNETT 

When did you join NAFC? 

I first joined the club in 1972

How did you first become involved with the club?

I played in 1972, 1977 & 1973 and I coached the colts in 1973

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

From 1974-1984 I was living away from Albany – teaching at schools in Perth, Port Hedland & Kambalda. On my return at the beginning of 1985, I re-joined the club and was elected onto the Management Committee.

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

Fondest memory is hard to narrow down to just one because there have been so many, but being the President when we won the Premiership in 2005 after a 32 year drought has to be an absolute highlight. OOoooooooohhhh what a night!!!

What were your roles in the club?

My roles at the club have included player, colts coach, committeeman, Vice-President, President (10 years), Timekeeper (20 years) and Club Patron for the past 3 seasons. I also sired 3 sons who played for the Kangas, have one grandson currently playing, a daughter who served as Club Treasurer and have had two wonderful wives who have been willing workers in the canteen.

Who was your biggest influence at the club?

The biggest influences on me at the club have been Clarrie Philippson and Jim Garland. Both were outstanding administrators who worked tirelessly for North Albany. They were the two people most responsible for the development of our own facilities at Collingwood Park.

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

Biggest character during my time? Well an honourable mention to Curly Taylor who was Colts Team Manager for many years. He was a lovable rogue who raised significant funds for the club and a key figure in developing admirable qualities in so many young men. Buy by far the most influential character at the club over the past 50 years has to be Rod Gillies. His contribution firstly as a player and then more importantly as a coach and mentor has been absolutely legendary.

 

There are many stories about Gillies that I could share, but this would appear to be one of those occasion where discretion is the better part of valour.  However, one story that may be OK. As a player Rod was known for his ability to win the ball at ground level and then use it to the team’s advantage. He was not renowned for his aerial ability. I recall playing with him in a match in Mt Barker when Rod actually took an overhead mark in a pack of 5 or 6 players. He spent the next 5 minutes getting around to all of his teammates and reminding them of his amazing achievement. Barker kicked the next three goals whilst all this was happening!

 

PAUL WILLIAMS 

When did you join NAFC? 

1978

How did you first become involved with the club?

Playing colts footy 1978

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

42 years

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

Obviously playing footy and the friends you make along the way on and off the field from the water boy to the president.

What were your roles in the club?

Player, committee man, president, sponsor, you name it – I’ve done it. Also played for Collingwood Park Cricket Club inaugural side (which is a part of NAFC)

Who was your biggest influence at the club?

Roderick Alexander Gillies

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

There are so many! Audbry Dimer comes to mind – could run as quick as anyone over 100m – built like a man mountain. Three Royalie bloke hung off him at full steam and he didn’t break stride. Frighting to watch.

 

ANDREW MCWHIRTER

When did you join NAFC? 

1993

How did you first become involved with the club?

All hostel kids in 1993 were transferred from Royals to NAFC

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

20

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

96 Colts Gf win, 07/08 GF wins, Committee involvement (being a part of the committee from 08 to 14) A period of great committee and club success both on and offield.

What were your roles in the club?

League Co-Captain 08/09, Committee member 08/14, Sponsorship portfolio 2009, Ground Portfolio (Bluey Management 2011 to 2014)

Who was your biggest influence at the club?

Brett Hall, Russell Hare

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

Brett Hall (many stories)  Justin Lambshed (not for the fainthearted)

 

IAN ‘MACCA’ MACKENZIE

When did you join NAFC?

1977

How did you first become involved with the club?

My wife and I moved to Albany from Perth in 1976 and one of the first jobs I got in Albany was work undertaking plastering and tiling of the Clubrooms, while doing the work on the club I was introduced to a number of members and became great friends, the welcoming nature of the club and its members meant that myself  and my family were welcomed into the fold and we went on to become involved in many of the clubs activities, including Friday nights "Happy Hour", little boiled potatoes (the older members will remember these being supplied by Bruce Shirley for all to enjoy), 100 Club and club picnics at Emu Point to name a few.

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

42 Years

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

After being involved with the club for over 40 years there are so many memories, many of them unforgettable so it’s hard to whittle it down to just one. One that I’m proud of is of course receiving Life Membership from the club, it was presented to me by Robert Sutton at a Kangas Ball, which are more great memories. From the old days there were bus trips with the players, club picnics across the channel at Emu Point, the 1980 Grand Finals and establishing the 100 Club which ran on a Saturday afternoon. In my time at the club I’ve seen a lot, done a lot and pretended to not see a lot - what goes on during players trips stays on players trips! Oh and then there was the infamous on ground incidence involving me and a clothesline..... but we won’t go into that now....

What were your roles in the club?

I was lucky enough to undertake the role of Team Manager for close to 15 years, this made my wife Cheryl a football widow for a number of years and my daughters were quickly put to work (as soon as they were old enough) helping hang and sort jumpers and sweeping out changerooms. As well as Team Manager I have also been Ground Manager organising the goings on at the ground for home games, I’ve been a committee member and stepped in as Acting President of the Club when the President became ill and needed to step back for a few months. Tired of being a football widow my wife Cheryl became involved in the club as well and took on the role of Ladies Club President for a number of years, this involved running the Canteen on game days, Friday night dinners and fundraising for the Club. These roles have led to some long lasting and still to this day friendships with players and members that my family and myself continue to value immensely. 

Who was your biggest influence at the club?

A lot of people have imparted their knowledge and friendship to myself and my family over the years, there are too many to name but if I had to call out a few they would be Jonny Farrell, Dave Heales and Kenny Blight. In terms of a person who showed club spirit and was always there to do the best for the club it would have to be Clarry Phillipson, if you ever needed something Clarry was there you just had to ask, a man who was selfless with his time and always looking out for the club first.

 

ROD GILLIES

I came to NAFC in 1971. In those days it was a working class club with a high proportion of members from the Lockyer area north of Albany. I was told all teachers went to Royals but as I found teachers boring I took up the opportunity to coach NAFC colts. Over time I have coach NAFC colts 14 times and been league coach or assistant coach 18 times.

 

In these days the coaches were automatically committee members. One of my early jobs was to run the car raffle. Each year the clubs major fund raiser was to raffle a new car. In my year I think the tickets were $30 (70’s) I think perhaps similar to $300-$400 today. This price included free drinks, band and supper. If you stuffed it up you paid for the stuff up out of your own pocket (a weeks wage was $30-$40).

 

In another year I got to run the clubs Radio show. It went to air early Sunday morning.

For important occasions like a meet the coaches night we used the Centennial oval tea rooms as we had no club rooms.  These occasions were always accompanied with a 10 or 18 gallon keg. Full strength of course as we all drank and drove home in those days. I don’t think police existed then.

We shared the dungeons, under the old grand stand with Railways. You couldn’t sweep out the rubbish in our ½ as the door had a board across it so we would lift up a loose 12 inch floor board and all the rubbish was swept into the gaping hole. This hole never filled up and rumour had it that some strange dungeon type dragon feed on the rubbish.

 

The characters of the club were many. Curly Taylor who ran camps for the colts and also ran bingo nights at Lockyer school hall to raise funds for the colts who were financially independent within the club. For that night Curly had one special card for which he had memorised the 20 numbers. Being Lockyer if some old dear was down on her luck Curly would find out and on Bingo nights when they played for the food hamper which all players contributed to; he would go over to the old dear and give her his special lucky card. At bingo the 1^st 50 numbers called don’t win so after 50 Curly would just call all the numbers left on his special lucky card “Bingo”. Everyone loved Curly.

 

Clarrie our president was the strongest person ever. He would challenge the  young players to hit him in the stomach as hard as they could and he would laugh at them and they would hit him harder and would still just laugh. You couldn’t hurt him.

 

Geoff Willem had only one arm and he was always helping people. One occasion (old) Barny dislocated both shoulders (soft!) so Geoff when Barny was at work went to his house and chipped and stacked his firewood (1 arm). He had a knife falk so he could eat one handed. When a young man lost his arm in a traffic accident he went up to the hospital and showed him how to cope one handed. When we set up Troode Street he would use a wheel barrow with rope around one shoulder and attached to one side of the barrow.

 

Walker was always in trouble. Blessed with the nick name “WANK” he once nicked a keg after a wind up, but when they got into the bush and went to open it they had no spear. No beers or brains.

 

The club had an industrial shield social cricket team for 2-3 years. We weren’t much good at cricket. I was captain because I was the least worst player and believe me we were awful. We played every 2^nd Sunday. The rules were you had to be at Sunday lunch session before 12pm or you were fined a jug – 11.50-12.00 was a busy period. All fines (jugs) were paid that day after the game – no excuses. Dropped catch = 1 jug. 1^st ball duck 3 jugs, ordinary ducks 2 jugs, less than 10 runs 1 jug. We won very few games but always had plenty of jugs. Our windup was on Good Friday as there is never much on then.  On game days the afternoon session started at 4.30pm. If our game looked like going past 4.30pm panic set in, people were run out, batsman gave up, some times we just walked off.

 

KELVIN STEPHEN

When did you join NAFC?

Mid 1960’s

How did you first become involved with the club? 

My family was involved. Brothers Peter, Ross and my Mother Lydia Stephen who was a life member

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

30 years

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

Being involved with the club during the planning and development of Collingwood Park. First player to play 200 league game for North Albany.

What were your roles in the club?

Player (Colts, Reserves & League), Players Rep on the committee, Groundsman.

Who was your biggest influence at the club?

Clarrie Philipson.

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

Too many to mention.  

 

ALICE RULE

When did you join NAFC?

1953-54

How did you first become involved with the club?

Our then friends, Kevin Rule, Charlie Pugh and the Western boys were playing for the then Towns.  

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

I still follow NAFC.

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

When Kevin (Rule) won the grand final in 1954 & 1965. The many great friends both Kevin & I made during our time at the club and the celebrations after we lost the grand finals.  

What were your roles in the club?

President & Secretary of the Ladies Committee and General Committee Member.

Who was your biggest influence at the club?

Lance Cook

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

The Willie Boys – always good workers and fun.  

 

CLIVE WALKER

When did you join NAFC?

From CBC Albany – Final year of School 1963

How did you first become involved with the club? 

Lance Cook asked a few CBC boys to join North Albany.

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

Studied 1964-67, so 1963 and from 1968 until now. That is just over 50 years.

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

All of the times, but premierships stand out. Coached first North Albany thirds premiership team in 1969 and on the same day a league flag. The camaraderie of our club players and supporters is fantastic and every flag any grade has won. Colts are very important for me.

What were your roles in the club?

Captain, Vice President and League Coach, President, Junior Co-ordinator pre my presidency, Runner for the Peter Walsh era 1980’ and Peter Western.

Who was your biggest influence at the club?

Lance Cook, Gordon Collis, Bill Cagnana, Ted Thompson, Clarrie Phillipson, Curly Taylor, Brian Humphries, Bob Sutton, The Stephen Family and wonderful recruits – Farmers east of Albany.  Recently two of our best recruits in Alan Barnett and Rod Gillies have left lasting impressions through their characters and dedication to the club.

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

The humour between Rob Retallack, Ted Thompson and dwarf medico Peter Johnston – dancing around a keg in the cramped changerooms under the old grandstand. Annie Atkins trying to clobber ‘Roundy’ Bevan from Royals and Neil Gill in epic runs around the racetrack – saying he beat me on a particular showdown. Jim Finnie and his incredible memory and the notorious Podge Adams where wife at the time threw a roast and all the frills at me and Podge after getting him home late. Podge went inside and broke his foot kicking a lounge chair after his best pre season ever!

 

TED THOMPSON 

When did you join NAFC?

1961

How did you first become involved with the club? 

Came back from playing for South Bunbury 1959-1960

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

Since 1961 (58 years)

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

The premierships we won.

What were your roles in the club?

Coached colts, reserves & league, bar manager, committee member, runner

Who was your biggest influence at the club ?

Gordon Collis 

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

Twery Annadale didn’t mind a shandy on a hot day. Bluey Lockhart not far behind. 

 

FRANCIS MUSSO  

When did you join NAFC?

1989 (I think from memory)

How did you first become involved with the club? 

Came down for fitness during the Volunteer Fire Brigade competition off season

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

30 years with a few off here and there

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

Getting my life membership, watching my son run out in the red and white V, also coaching a reserves premiership as an assistant coach.

What were your roles in the club?

Player, head trainer, assistant coach, 16’s and reserves coach, colts & league assistant coach, 16’s draft co-ordinator, currently a team manager & on the committee.

Who was your biggest influence at the club ?

There has been a few, I suppose Craig Tester because he got me down to the club then in my playing days it was our own Mr Football Rod Gillies. Club wise Tony Docking, Gerard Cameron and Iian Woods have always given good advice.

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

Numerous, the memorable ones would have to be Craig Hitchcock, the Willy boys, and Gerard Cameron. Needless to say what happens on footy trips you know how that goes. But definitely one of the funniest memories of my time at the footy club.

 

GERARD CAMERON

When did you join NAFC?

Joined in 1979

How did you first become involved with the club? 

I was involved with the Albany Surf Life Saving Club and met Robbie Sutton there. He asked me down. Thanks Robbie!!!

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

40 years

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

I’ve enjoyed all the premierships ( 2 that I played in ) but I think I’ve enjoyed the one I experienced as a coach of the u17s in 2011 more. An extraordinary group of young men and a dream to coach. Made all the more enjoyable by the people around me that year who have gone onto play significant roles in the clubs recent success ………….namely Ian Barrow, Iian Woods and Craig Dew. Watching both sons experience premierships at Kangas has also been so good to watch.

What were your roles in the club?

Player, Coach, Director of Football ,Committee person and most importantly a volunteer.

Who was your biggest influence at the club?

Roderick Alexander Gillies. If there is a man anywhere in Australia who has influenced and guided so many young men in football better anywhere……….can they please introduce me to him or her ? We are so lucky to of had him!!!

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

Ted Thompson………….a champion player for our club and great fella. Tooty ( nickname)stands about 6ft 4 in on the old scale. He called me aside at the bar one evening after a game and told me I won mark of the day so often because of my ability to make an easy mark look difficult………he then proceeded to place a $20 bill in my hand . When I questioned what that was for he said “ shhhh keep it quiet ……….but you’re the only bastard that knows I’m bald”

 

TONY DOCKING

When did you join NAFC?

1972

How did you first become involved with the club? 

Started playing colts in 1972 under coach Rod Gillies

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

47

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

Playing in the 1983 league premiership team

What were your roles in the club?

Player 1972-1987, assistant coach, vice president, committee member, sponsor, team manager, ground manager

Who was your biggest influence at the club?

Rod Gillies and Brad Bootsma

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

Matthew Baines – just a very funny man with a warped sense of humour, but also very loyal to his friends and club.

 

MANDY BOOTSMA

When did you join NAFC?

1989

How did you first become involved with the club? 

Mal Cameron roped my friends and I into being the social club & selling white jackets.

How many years have you been involved at North Albany?

Since 1989…just need to visit more often.

What's your fondest memory of your time at the club?

Beating Tambellup by a point in Tambellup, when there were not many wins and Tambellup were awesome.

What were your roles in the club?

Secretary, water person, strapping, cleaning, bar work, canteen helper, social club, Kangas ball and fundraising.

Who was your biggest influence at the club?

Alan Barnett

Who was the biggest character during your time here and can you share a Story about him or her?

Robin Lockhart – liked to dance with the bar stools until he got stuck in one.  So many more memories of loads of characters – Rod Gillies, Steve, Paul Williams, Russell Williams