THERE are times die hard fans never forget, and three loyal members of Edenhope-Apsley have been supporting the Saints for more than 70 years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Geoff Gray, Kevin ‘KR’ Burchell and Alex McDougall reminisced of a time when Edenhope Football Club was a part of the Kowree-Naracoorte Football League, while watching their Saints take on Harrow-Balmoral, sitting in Geoff’s car.
All three of the die hard supporters watched the Saints, Southern Roos game with absolute intent – never taking an eye off the bout – while talking to the Mail-Times.
KR had been named a life member of the club after building the now old scored board at Edenhope for no cost. “I’ve been a supporter for as long as I can remember,” he said.
“I’ve done a fair bit of work and different things around the club for years.”
As KR finished talking about the score board, Geoff jumped in and asked how many years he was president for.
“Oh, I’m not sure how many years… I’ve lost count,” KR said. Edenhope and Apsley merged in 1999 and played in the Kowree-Naracoorte league before moving into the Horsham District league in 2007.
Alex said moving into the Horsham District league was a good move by the club.
“I think we are well placed. Every club is short of numbers,” he said.
Geoff added the club had more hope of getting players from around the Wimmera, rather than across the South Australian border where a majority of the Kowree-Naracoorte league was played.
“Years and years and years ago, Edenhope used to play at the showgrounds,” Geoff said.
A debate began between the three when they realised they were unsure of when the home ground moved from the showgrounds to the current location.
Alex was questioned by Geoff when he said the home ground was moved in the 1950’s.
Alex immediately corrected himself and said, “oh no, you’re right, it wasn’t that early, I’ll take that back. I think it was the 60’s”.
Geoff said he thought Edenhope-Apsley was in a good place.
“It’s cruising along smoothly and in the right direction. I would like to see players stick with Edenhope-Apsley,” he said.
Alex said his father played in Edenhope’s 1911 grand final.
“I played a bit but I couldn’t mark, I was slow and I couldn’t kick. The thing I did was be the timekeeper, I did that for many years and my father done it,” he said.
Alex said times were different before Edenhope and Apsley merged. He said when Edenhope and Apsley played there would be “blood everywhere, fights on the oval and behind the sheds”.
