Footscray Tech Old Boys Explained

Footscray Tech Old Boys should not be confused with Footscray Football Club.

Clubname:Footscray Tech Old Boys
Color1:
  1. 000080
Color2:
  1. FFFFFF
Color3:solid #d4af37
Fullname:Footscray Institute of Technology Sports Club Inc.[1]
Formernames:Footscray TSOB;
Footscray TCOB
Nicknames:Footscray Tech, FITOB, FIT
Formernicknames:FTSOB, FTCOB
Founded:1920s
Dissolved:1992
Sport:Australian rules football
League:FDJFL (1931)
VAFA (1932−92)
Premierships:VAFA
Ground:Institute Oval[2]

The Footscray Tech Old Boys (FTOB), also known simply as Footscray, was an Australian rules football club based around the Melbourne suburb of Footscray. The club was formed by former students of Footscray Technical School (FTS).[3]

Footscray Tech competed in the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) for most of its existence. The club disbanded in 1992 when Footscray IT merged into the Victoria University of Technology (VUT), with a VUT club competing in the VAFA for several years before it folded at the end of 1996.[4]

The successor university to Footscray IT, Victoria University (VU), is currently represented in the VAFA by the UHS-VU Football Club.[5] [6]

History

Footscray Tech

Footscray Technical School Old Boys Football Club (Footscray TSOB) was formed in the 1920s and competed in the Footscray District Junior Football League (FDJFL) in 1931. In 1932, the club joined the Metropolitan Amateur Football Association (MAFA, renamed VAFA in 1933) and entered the competition's D Section.[7]

The club made its first grand final in 1936, but was defeated by Coburg Amateurs by 29 points. After being promoted to C Section for the 1937 season, the club made the grand final again, but was defeated by Coburg Amateurs for the second year in a row.[8]

21 years after it entered the competition, Footscray TSOB won its first VAFA premiership in ES&A Bank by 5 points in the 1953 D Section grand final.[9] A second premiership came in 1959 with a 1-point victory over AJAX.[7]

In its first C Section grand final, the club lost to Kew in 1964. Four years later, the club defeated St Bernard's to win the 1968 C Section grand final.[7] A fifth premiership came against UHSOB in the 1983 F Section grand final.[7]

At the end of the 1992 season, the club disbanded after Footscray IT merged into the Victoria University of Technology (VUT).[10]

VUT

Beginning in 1993, a new club − FIT/VUT − competed in the VAFA, entering F2 Section.[11] The club renamed to simply VUT for the 1994 season, where they were defeated by Fitzroy Reds in the G Section reserves grand final.[12]

In 1995, VUT was set to compete in the E Central section, but withdrew before the first game "due to insufficient [player] numbers", instead solely competing in the Club XVIII South competition.[13] The club remained in Club XVIII South in 1996, but just four of its 15 games and folded at the end of the season.[14] [15]

Club name

The club was formed as Footscray TSOB, but Footscray Technical School renamed to Footscray Technical College (FTC) in 1958.[16] As a result, the club changed its name to Footscray Technical College Old Boys (FTCOB).[17] [18] [19]

FTC then renamed to Footscray Institute Of Technology Old Boys (Footscray IT, FITOB or FIT) in 1968, a change that come into effect for the club at the end of the 1968 season.[20] [21] However, some VAFA records show the "FTCOB" name still being used in the 1970s.[22] The new "FITOB" name is seen in The Amateur Footballer as early as 1972.[23] [24]

Despite this, some sources − including the VAFA − claim the club was only renamed to FITOB in 1989.[7] [25] [26]

Seasons

style=background:#F0E68CPremiersstyle=background:#C0BFBDGrand Finaliststyle=background:#D0E7FFMinor premiersstyle=background:#96CDCDFinals appearancestyle=background:#FFCCCCWooden spoonstyle=background:#FAECC8Division leading goalkickerstyle=background:#DDFFDD Division best and fairest

Seniors

YearLeagueDivisionCoachCaptainBest and fairestLeading goalkickerGoals
1931 FDJFL
1932 MAFA
1933 VAFA
1934 VAFA
1935 VAFA
1936 VAFA
1937 VAFA
1938 VAFA
1939 VAFA
1940 VAFA[27]
1941 VAFA
1942 (No season)
1943 (No season)
1944 (No season)
1945 (No season)
1946 VAFA
1947 VAFA
1948 VAFA
1949 VAFA
1950 VAFA
1951 VAFA
1952 VAFA
1953 VAFA
1954 VAFA
1955 VAFA
1956 VAFA
1957 VAFA
1958 VAFA
1959 VAFA
1960 VAFA
1961 VAFA
1962 VAFA
1963 VAFA
1964 VAFA
1965 VAFA
1966 VAFA
1967 VAFA
1968 VAFA
1969 VAFA
1970 VAFA
1971 VAFA
1972 VAFA
1973 VAFA
1974 VAFA
1975 VAFA
1976 VAFA
1977 VAFA
1978 VAFA
1979 VAFA
1980 VAFAF Section7th8100[28]
1981 VAFA
1982 VAFA
1983 VAFAF Sectionstyle=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 1st1350[29]
1984 VAFAE Section7th8100[30]
1985 VAFAE Section9th3141[31]
1986 VAFAF Section8th3140Fred Cook[32] [33]
1987 VAFAF Sectionstyle=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th2160R. Boef[34] S. Baird[35]
1988 VAFA
1989 VAFA
1990 VAFA
1991 VAFA
1992 VAFA

Grand finals

style=background:#C0FFC0Premiersstyle=background:#fccRunners-upstyle=background:#FFFFC0Drawn
YearLeagueDivisionGradeOpponentScoreVenueDateReport
1936 VAFASeniorsCoburg Amateurs18.19 (127) d. 15.8 (98)
1937 VAFAC SectionSeniors
1953 VAFAD SectionSeniorsES&A Bank5.7 (37) d. 3.14 (32)
1959 VAFAD SectionSeniorsAJAX8.13 (60) d. 7.18 (60)
1964 VAFAD SectionSeniorsKew14.9 (93) d. 7.4 (46)
1968 VAFAC SectionSeniorsSt Bernard's11.6 (72) d. 7.9 (51)[36]
1983 VAFAF SectionSeniorsUHSOB12.10 (82) d. 12.7 (79)[37] [38]

Notable players

A number of Footscray Teach players later joined clubs in the Victorian Football League (VFL), now known as the Australian Football League (AFL), including several who joined the Footscray Football Club.

Additionally, Fred Cook − who did play for after leaving Footscray Tech − later went onto play 300 games in the Victorian Football Association (VFA).

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FOOTSCRAY IT . Australian Football . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206000509/https://www.australianfootball.com/clubs/stats/footscray%2Btsob/2653/ . 6 February 2024.
  2. Web site: The Grounds − Where and How . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160314014926/http://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/File-AF-1977-No-1.pdf . 14 March 2016 . 7 . 16 April 1977 . FOOTSCRAY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY: Institute Oval, Farnsworth Avenue, Footscray.
  3. Web site: BRUNSWICK VS. FOOTSCRAY TSOB . Brunswick Football Club . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723105844/https://brunswickfootball.org.au/versus/footscray-tsob/ . 23 July 2024.
  4. Web site: The Amateur Footballer, Week 21, 1996 . Issuu . VAFA Media . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230227142048/https://issuu.com/vafa_hq/docs/vafa-vol96.no21 . 27 February 2023 . 43 . 13 December 1996.
  5. Web site: ABOUT US . UHS-VU Football Club . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101053852/https://www.uhsvu.com.au/about/ . 1 November 2023.
  6. Web site: UHS-VU Football Club . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723084810/https://www.vafa.com.au/clubs/uhs-vu/ . 23 July 2024.
  7. Web site: Footscray Institute Of Technology Football Club / Footscray Technical School Old Boys Football Club (Vic) . Footypedia . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723084929/https://archive.md/61pGJ . 23 July 2024.
  8. Web site: Coburg Amateur Football Club (Vic) . Footypedia . 20 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240720031006/http://www.footypedia.info/00000825.htm . 20 July 2024.
  9. Web site: ANZ ES & A football club history . ANZ Retired Officers' Club (VIC) . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240519013048/https://www.anzroc.com.au/roc-notice-board/78-anz-es-a-a-football-club-history . 19 May 2024 . By 1953 the team had gained more exposure and recruited genuine footballers who took the team into the Grand Final finishing Runners up and progressing to "C" Grade in 1954..
  10. Web site: Victoria University of Technology / Victoria University . Victoria University Archives . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231128091430/https://libraryguides.vu.edu.au/vu-archives/victoria-university-of-technology-victoria-university . 28 November 2023.
  11. Web site: The Amateur Footballer, Week 1, 1993 . Issuu . VAFA Media . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230227102937/https://issuu.com/vafa_hq/docs/vafa-vol93.no01 . 27 February 2023 . 15 . 14 December 2016.
  12. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 1 1995 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160311024208/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AF-1995-01.pdf . 11 March 2016 . 1 April 1995.
  13. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 2 1995 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023233829/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AF-1995-02.pdf . 23 October 2023 . 8 April 1995.
  14. Web site: The Amateur Footballer, Week 21, 1996 . Issuu . VAFA Media . https://web.archive.org/web/20230227142048/https://issuu.com/vafa_hq/docs/vafa-vol96.no21 . 27 February 2023 . 13 December 2016.
  15. Web site: The Amateur Footballer, Week 3, 1997 . Issuu . VAFA Media . https://web.archive.org/web/20230228050118/https://issuu.com/vafa_hq/docs/vafa-vol97.no03 . 28 February 2023 . 2 March 2016.
  16. Web site: Footscray Technical College . Victoria University Archives . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240313100957/https://libraryguides.vu.edu.au/vu-archives/footscray-technical-college . 13 March 2024.
  17. Web site: 1965 B SECTION LADDER . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230328132507/https://www.cgfc.com.au/static/uploads/files/1965-season-wfqborjjzgch.pdf . 28 March 2023 . Footscray TCOB.
  18. Web site: Premier C Section Grand Finals . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 15 March 2023.
  19. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 5 1973 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723101226/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/File-AF-1973-No-5.pdf . 23 July 2024 . 27 . 1964 Footscray T.C.O.B. . 12 May 1973.
  20. Web site: Footscray Institute of Technology . Victoria University Archives . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240313101009/https://libraryguides.vu.edu.au/vu-archives/footscray-institute-of-technology . 13 March 2024.
  21. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 1 1977 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160314014926/http://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/File-AF-1977-No-1.pdf . 14 March 2016 . 5 . 16 April 1977 . 1968 Footscray T.C.O.B..
  22. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 22 1970 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723103639/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AF-1970-No22.pdf . 23 July 2024 . 20 . 29 August 1970 . Glong 24.17 FTCOB 7 .10.
  23. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 1 1972 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723101927/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/File-AF-1972-No-1.pdf . 23 July 2024 . 2 . 15 April 1972 . Brunswick v Footscray ITOB.
  24. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 5 1973 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723101226/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/File-AF-1973-No-5.pdf . 23 July 2024 . 8 . Footscray ITOB . 12 May 1973.
  25. Web site: Previous VAFA Clubs . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 8 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240606014345/https://www.vafa.com.au/history/vafa-clubs-1892-2015/previous-vafa-clubs/ . 6 June 2024 . Changed name to FIT in 1989.
  26. Web site: VAFA club's history 1892-2007 . GameDay . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 9 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240609112906/https://websites.mygameday.app/get_file.cgi?id=116474 . 9 June 2024 . 2 . Changed name to FIT in 1989 FIT.
  27. Web site: Amateurs Conclude . Trove . The Age . 24 June 1940.
  28. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 22 1980 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 22 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240521031014/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/File-AF-1980-No-22.pdf . 21 May 2024 . 7 September 1980.
  29. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 20 1983 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 21 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160311025321/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/File-AF-1983-No-20.pdf . 11 March 2016 . 27 August 1983.
  30. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 2 1985 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 20 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160311025407/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/File-AF-1985-No-2.pdf . 11 March 2016 . 12 April 1985.
  31. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 21 1985 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 20 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160311025731/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/File-AF-1985-No-21.pdf . 11 March 2016.
  32. Web site: The Amateur Footballer, Week 4, 1986 . Issuu . VAFA Media . 20 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230227022811/https://issuu.com/vafa_hq/docs/vafa-vol86.no04 . 27 February 2023 . 8 . 18 January 2017.
  33. Web site: The Amateur Footballer, Week 22, 1986 . Issuu . VAFA Media . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240609070357/https://issuu.com/vafa_hq/docs/vafa-vol86.no22 . 9 June 2024 . 18 January 2017.
  34. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 13 1987 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160311030106/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/File-AF-1987-No-13.pdf . 11 March 2016 . 10 . 11 July 1987.
  35. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 23 1987 . Victorian Amateur Football Association. https://web.archive.org/web/20240608054238/https://vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/File-AF-1987-No-23.pdf . 8 June 2024.
  36. Web site: Premier C Section Grand Finals . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 15 March 2023.
  37. Web site: The Amateur Footballer Week 21 1983 . Victorian Amateur Football Association . 23 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160311025333/https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/File-AF-1983-No-21.pdf . 11 March 2016 . 3 September 1983.
  38. Web site: Division 3 Section Grand Finals . 30 November 2023 . Victorian Amateur Football Association.