Football History Society Releases Iconic Book
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The New South Wales Australian Football History Society has released a new book focussing on the history of Australian Football in Sydney in the late 1800s.
Written by the Society president, Ian Granland, the publication is called ‘Australian Football in Sydney 1877 – 1895 – A LIVING HEDGE”
It gives a fascinating insight of Australian Football in Sydney before the turn of the 20th century.
It identifies the clubs, players, officials and even the location of the hotels they met in and in which they sometimes held their functions and gatherings.
This publication is the only accurate account of the commencement of Australia’s national game in the then country’s largest city and goes on to explore the game’s development in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley District. It also identifies attempts to start the game in Wollongong in 1878 and 1886 and in Kiama in 1888 whilst mentions a game between the NSW towns of Yass and Bookham in 1891.
It clearly details the representative fixtures that NSW was involved in as well as providing the venues, crowd numbers, scores and goalkickers etc. Included are tales of two interstate tours which NSW combined teams undertook which were wonderfully described by participants.
This book also very much also focusses on Rugby (Union), its officials and how it took a hold in areas of Sydney and the NSW country regions.
If you are a footy fan this is a MUST READ for it fills in many of the of holes in the oft asked question of why Australian Football did not take on in Sydney.
It is quite a large book, extending to over 200 pages containing many names, facts, figures, grounds, tables and photographs etc.
The term, ‘A Living Hedge’ is explained before the introduction in the early part of the book which provides some idea of the popularity of the game in that period.
An official launch of the publication will take place within the coming weeks.
Anyone wishing to purchase this self-published book direct from the NSW Australian Football History Society please contact admin@nswfootballhistory.com.au for further information.
We are sure you will enjoy the read.
SUBMITTED BY:
Ian Granland
President NSW Australian Football History Society
Phone: 0412798521
