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PAST PLAYERS & OFFICALS
| Past Players Life Members: |
||
| E. M. Direen | Ross Direen | Jack Direen |
| A. Andrews | L. Synnott | David Direen |
| H. Gorringe | R. (Tex) Gordon | Graeme Gorringe |
| J. A. Gallagher | Jack Synnott | |
| H. V. Halton | Ron Polley |
Many football stories from days gone by - and some of the modern era - were told and re-told at the Cygnet Football Club's Past Players and Officials Annual Reunion, held at the Club Rooms at the Cygnet Oval, last Saturday.
About 180 people accepted the invitation to attend - including representatives of the Past Players groups at Huonville, Kermandie and Channel.
MC for the day, Brian Dillon, welcomed all present.
President, "Tidsy" Smith took to the stage with his usual humour and the scene was set for a very entertaining couple of hours.
Following last year's function, the Past Players were able to donate $3000 to the Cygnet Football Club and this was used to purchase and install a large plasma television in the Club Rooms - and, at the Reunion, the television was used to recognize the Club's sponsors as well as to replay past games.
The Past Players also has an ambition to provide plaques to replace the Premiership Pennants which adorn the walls of the Club Rooms with contributions requested to pay for these - the Pennants will then be stored so as to keep them in good condition. Several additional plaques were presented at the Dinner.
Also, on Saturday, Sam Gorringe presented the Cygnet Football Club, on behalf of the Gorringe Family, a print of the "Team of the Century" which Horrie Gorringe was a member of. Sam spoke of Horrie's "career" on the football field. Horrie's son Graeme and Graeme's sons Sam and Tim were in attendance.
The "feature" for this year's Reunion was Cygnet Football Club's success in winning the Huon Football Association's 1994 Seniors and Underage Premierships - the last ones in which the Club's teams wore the black and white colours. The Seniors were coached by Gary Williamson (his second year at the Club) and the Underages by Adrian Tatnell. It was also the year that the Committee supporting Heather Watson in the Miss Huon Football Quest helped raise $22,000 for the Club.
Adrian Tatnell and Gary Williamson both addressed the gathering about the achievements in 1994 and they specially welcomed members of those teams who traveled from far and wide to attend - including Wade Adams, Jamie Cordwell and Craig Doyle who came from interstate.
Adrian stressed that the Mini League was very important for the Cygnet Football Club, with the majority of these players going on to play Club footy.
He said that, from the 1994 Colts team, thirteen went on to play Senior football with the Club - and some of these are still playing.
Gary Williamson said the Seniors won all 18 roster games for the 1994 season but then lost the Second Semi-Final to Kingston by 58-points. He said Cygnet then played Kermandie in the Preliminary Final, a game in which the lead changed many times in the final term, with Cygnet kicking a goal in the dying minutes of the encounter to win the right to play Kingston again in the Grand Final.
"Kingston had a great team but the comradeship within the Cygnet team got us through," Gary said. He recalled having four sets of brothers playing - the Direens, Polleys (by two) and Walches.
Gary and Adrian both recalled the contributions made by all the players, committee members and support staff - as well as the contributions made by the supporters and local community.
Cygnet Football Club's President, Marty Eaton, thanked the Past Players for their ongoing support. He also thanked the Club's Coaches, Captains, players, Committee members and community members for their support - but, once again, issued a plea for anyone with an hour or two to spare to help out at the Club.
"The running of the Club is getting harder every year," Marty said.
Ron Polley proposed the Toast to the visitors and Smokey Allen, representing the Huonville Past Players, responded on behalf of everyone. Smokey pleaded with supporters to help their clubs where possible so as to keep "grassroots" football going.
Thanks were extended to all who had helped out in the kitchen in the days leading up to the Reunion and on the day. The three-course meal was very much appreciated by all present - as were the refreshments!
Members of the Senior team visited the Luncheon prior to the start of their game. Coach Steve Bozicevic spoke to the gathering, following which Gary Williamson revved up the team for the game ahead on Saturday.
Tidsy Smith, Sam Warren, Andrew Scott and Denis Brereton
1994 coaches Garry Williamson & Adrian Tatnell
Neil Ford and Allan Shaw enjoyed the Reunion.
Brian Dillon, Ron Polley, "Rip" Clifford and "Tidsy" Smith.
Hillary and Fred Direen
Doc Roberts & Doug Wright.
Pictured with the "Team of the Century" print were Tim and Graeme Gorringe, "Tidsy" Smith and Sam Gorringe.
Greg Gordon, Justin Polley and Matthew Wilton.
Pictured were Byron Howard, Col Eaton and Kevin Fletcher (1960 Premiership team members)
John Direen, Paddy Darcy and Reg Riley.
Members of the 1994 Premiership teams were pictured.
Ian Townsend, Michael Fielding and Jamie Synnott.
Peter Strong & Steven Clark.
These two youngsters keep the jugs filled on the tables.
Steve Nichols & Jason Doyle.
Jamie Cordwell and Fred Miller attended the Dinner.