Tony Wright
EDJSA Web Administrator

CHAPTER ONE

Pre Association Days

Our Association officially came into being in February 1963, under its original title of “the Far Northern Zone Junior Soccer Council”, upon the amalgamation of the Primary Schools' and High Schools' Committees. However, organised soccer had already been flourishing in the schools of Elizabeth and Salisbury over the past-six years, thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of a number of dedicated parents and two or three teachers. Even as far back as July 1956, it was reported in the local press that Salisbury United Soccer Club would welcome the establishment of a Schools' Soccer League for Salisbury and Elizabeth and would be only too pleased to help out with equipment.

Then in April 1957, at the Annual Meeting of the Elizabeth United Soccer Club, a fore runner of the present Elizabeth City Soccer Club, guest speaker John Lindquist, who was at that time Secretary of the South Australian Schoolboys' and Colts' Soccer Committee, suggested that a league should be formed for schoolboys in the district. This was quickly followed by announcements that arrangements were being made to initiate competitive soccer for schoolboys under the sponsor- ship of the Salisbury and Elizabeth senior clubs; fixtures were drawn up and the historic kick-off between the four competing teams took place on Saturday, 1st June 1957. The results of these first matches were Elizabeth Blue and Gold defeated Salisbury by 10 goals to nil and Elizabeth Red drew with Salisbury North nil-all.

The Elizabeth Blue and Gold team continued throughout the season in the same vein, emerging undefeated winners of the League, scoring 50 goals to one against and also won the Knock-out Competition, to take out the trophies donated by the Salisbury United Soccer Club and Eddie Jenkins, Salisbury United's chairman. Chris Thompson, a stalwart of Elizabeth United Soccer Club in its formative years, had been appointed Area Representative for Junior Soccer and, together with George Tingay, was responsible for both Elizabeth teams and they were duly congratulated for their magnificent efforts. Mr. Stokes was one of the main forces behind the Salisbury teams. Some of the boys who distinguished themselves in this first season of Junior Soccer in the area were Ian Stockbridge, David Berry, Leonard Tingay, John Moss, Clive Kendall, John Prunnell, Terry Binyon, David Souter and John Wilkes.

The following year, 1958, Chris Thompson was re-appointed Area Representative and the league competition was increased to six teams. The previous year, both Elizabeth teams had comprised boys attending the Elizabeth South Primary School, the only school opened in Elizabeth at that stage. With the ope9ing of the Elizabeth North school, Lou Stockbridge was appointed to coach the two teams entered from that school and Chris Thompson and George Tingay, who were now being assisted by Harry Berry and Duncan Ross, ran the three teams from the Elizabeth South school, whilst Salisbury fielded just one team, from Salisbury North school.

Elizabeth South School’s Blue team was the clear winner of the League, remaining undefeated throughout the season and dropping only one point in a drawn game. Elizabeth North Red and Salisbury North finished exactly equal runners-up, having won six games, drawn one and lost three, with exactly equal goal averages of 54 goals for and 15 against. The leading goal scorers for the top three teams were Stewart Tomlinson (Elizabeth South) with 26 goals, Bob Teale (Elizabeth North) 24, and David Rosewall (Salisbury North) nine goals.

The Elizabeth South Blue team capped a wonderful season by representing the Far Northern Zone, as our area was then called, in the Referees' Cup, a knock-out competition for representative primary schools from each zone in the Adelaide area. Elizabeth South defeated Taperoo Primary School by two goals to nil in the final, thus having the honour to be the first school in our area to win a State championship and, in only its second season, too. Boys who stood out in these matches were Vic Smith, Pat Hadland, George Butterworth, Gerald Tingay, Keith Barrett, Bill Ward, Stewart Tomlinson and Roger Wootton.

Another triumph was to follow when the select squad chosen from all the teams competing in our zone defeated the Southern Zone in the final of the Inter-Zone Competition by two goals to one, to achieve our first success in State competitions for representative squads.

By 1959 many of the boys who had pioneered competitive school soccer in our district had progressed on to high school and the efforts of the original small band of enthusiasts were re- directed to what can only be described as a make shift competition. Salisbury High School, which was the only high school in the area at that time, entered two teams, which were coached by Jim Binyon. St Augustines, which must have catered for Catholic boys of high school age in those days entered a team coached by Mr J. Winstanley and Elizabeth Town Soccer Club, as the senior club in Elizabeth now called, fielded two teams coached by Jim Downing and managed by original stalwart George Tingay, with assistance being provided by Fred Varley. Yet another team was fielded by the Elizabeth Scout Group, but it is not known who was responsible for coaching these lads. Unfortunately the results of this competition were not published.

On the primary school front, Syd Barrett assumed the mantle of Area Primary School Representative, which had now been relinquished by Chris Thompson. Ralph Thomson organised the Salisbury North primary school teams, Lou Stockbridge was again responsible for the Elizabeth North school teams and Tom Jones, a teacher at the Elizabeth South school, coached that school's teams with assistance from Jack Gripton, another teacher at the school, Duncan Ross and Len Spriggs.

Six teams again competed, two each from Salisbury North, Elizabeth South and Elizabeth North primary schools. The competition was much closer this year amongst the top teams from each school, with the Elizabeth South Blue team eventually just topping the league on goal average from Salisbury North' A " with Elizabeth North Red finishing a close third. Only the relative positions of the top three teams appeared in the local press, presumably in deference to the fact that the other three teams were made up of the second strings and were consequently just 'chopping blocks.' It is still of interest to note the records of these three top teams:

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Elizabeth South Blue	10	8	0	2	38	10	16
Salisbury North 'A'	10	8	0	2	35	17	16
Elizabeth North Red	10	7	0	3	63	8	14

So Elizabeth South School was presented with the Eddie Jenkins Cup for the third year running, but note the Elizabeth North team's vastly superior goal average, having scored an average of over six goals per match. The Elizabeth North Red team, however, was to gain its revenge by defeating the Salisbury North' A' team in the Challenge Cup final by two goals to one in an exciting match which extended into extra time, to win the Salisbury United Challenge Cup.

Things started humming in primary school circles early in 1960 with the opening of two further primary schools in Elizabeth, Broadmeadows and Elizabeth Grove and the advent of a team from Salisbury Consolidated School, which was then the school located in Mary Street, Salisbury.

With Syd Barrett once again at the helm as the Area Representative, Tom Jones was still in charge of the Elizabeth South School teams, now assisted by Jack Gripton, Bill Pyke and Paul Woods. Doug Frewin was at Salisbury North and Lou Stockbridge was again responsible for Elizabeth North, now having the assistance of Laurie Earwood and Alex Scott. With his son John now attending Elizabeth Grove School, Len Spriggs transferred his attentions from Elizabeth South School to the newly-opened Elizabeth Grove School, where he was being assisted by two noted senior soccer players in Peter West and Bill Pyke's son, Tony. Salisbury Consolidated School was in the hands of Mr. Sykes together with Jim Connell, who was later to prove his top administrative capabilities as Chairman of the S.A.S.F. for a number of years was. Broadmeadows, the other new school, had Peter Lawson in charge, assisted by Eddie Thornton.

For the first time two leagues were organised, each comprising six teams. Salisbury Consolidated could only field one team and was allocated to League II, whilst Elizabeth South School managed to field a third team to fill the gap.

The first Queen's Birthday Carnival was successfully held in June 1960, with Elizabeth South proving too consistent by defeating Broadmeadows by three goals to nil in the final, but what a fine effort by the Broadmeadows boys in reaching the final of their first competition in their first season. Tribute was paid to the expert handling of all the Carnival games by referees Ted Balcomb, Dennis Moore and Bill Roche, who were to prove to be the fore runners of a dedicated band of officials who have provided sterling service to the progress of Junior Soccer in our area over the years.

Once again Elizabeth South proved to be the strongest school, winning both leagues, but Elizabeth Grove was showing signs of becoming a force to be reckoned with. The final league placing were:

League I

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Elizabeth South Blue	10	8	1	1	43	3	17
Elizabeth Grove Green	10	6	3	1	22	8	15
Salisbury North White	10	5	3	2	21	17	13
Elizabeth North Red	10	3	3	4	9	17	9
Broadmeadows Blue	10	2	1	7	17	25	5
Elizabeth South Red	10	0	1	9	2	44	1

League II

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Elizabeth South Gold	10	10	0	0	43	3	20
Salisbury Consolidated	10	6	1	3	29	5	13
Elizabeth Grove Brown	10	5	2	3	15	11	12
Elizabeth North Green	10	3	3	4	6	20	9
Salisbury North Blue	10	1	1	8	2	28	3
Broadmeadows White	10	1	1	8	2	30	3

In the Challenge Cup Final for League I teams, Elizabeth South and Elizabeth Grove fought out a scoreless draw in the first encounter played at Kelsey Road, Salisbury North, as a curtain raiser to the Salisbury United v. Cumberland senior match. In the replay, played at Ramsay Park the following Saturday, the Elizabeth South boys scored a decisive victory over the Grove boys by defeating them by four goals to nil. The Elizabeth South Gold team also convincingly won the League II Cup Final by beating Salisbury Consolidated by six goals to one.

Unfortunately the Elizabeth South team was unable to 'bring home the bacon' at State level. In the Referees' Cup Final, after fighting back from being three goals down at half time against Port Adelaide School to level the score at three goals each at full time, the gallant boys ran out of steam during extra time, yielding two more goals.

Bill Pyke was appointed to coach the Inter-Zone squad which comprised Nigel Moody, Tony Albuino, Michael Jephcott, Eddie Clavell (Elizabeth Grove), Peter Hadland, Terry Horlock, Hugo Grannemann, Chris Shields, Ron Carr (Elizabeth South), Larry Moore (Salisbury North), Jim Connell (Salisbury Consolidated) with reserves Jeff Birch, Peter Frencken, Norman Brooks and White. This squad suffered a similar fate to the Elizabeth South team being defeated in the final by Far Eastern Zone, four goals to two. However, four members of the squad were subsequently selected to represent South Australia - Ron Carr, Peter Hadland, Terry Horlock and Chris Shields.

A further tragedy (?) befell the Inter Zone squad when, in a final light-hearted wind-up to the season, they were beaten by six goals to four in the first annual Coaches v. Boys match, an event which was to become a very popular occasion over the next few years. Still, as the newspaper report put it, 'Who could criticise the boys when they were pitched against such "stars" as Tom Jones, Jack Gripton, Bill Pyke, Peter Lawson, Eddie Thornton, Lou Stockbridge, Jim Downing, Len Spriggs, Peter West, Tony Pyke, Bill Cox, Jim Connell, Ted Balcomb, Dennis Moore, Bill Roche and Syd Barrett?

The Junior Colts' Competition carried on in very much the same vein as in the previous season. Very little publicity was given to its activities, apart from the fact that Elizabeth Town White team was the champion team. Three lads Stewart Tomlinson, Stan Hutchinson and Vic Smith were selected to play for the State Under 14 and 15 squads.

With the opening of three more primary schools in the Elizabeth area in 1961, the number of competing schools had now risen to nine and the number of teams increased from 12 to 16 on the primary school scene. Of the new schools, Elizabeth Park and Elizabeth East were each able to field two teams. Elizabeth Vale School, which had problems in finding someone to organise its soccer activities, fielded one team only and this was allocated to League II. Salisbury Consolidated school again entered one team but, on its record in the previous season, was placed in League I. Elizabeth South School, which had lost a number of its boys who had transferred to Elizabeth Vale School, dropped its third team.

Tom Jones and Jack Gripton, the two Elizabeth South school teachers, again took charge of the Elizabeth South teams; Len Spriggs was being helped out at the Grove school be Jimmy Donaghy, another noted young senior player; Lou Stockbridge, Alex Scott and Laurie Earwood were again organising Elizabeth North and Peter Lawson again took up the reins at Broadmeadows school. Jim Connell was responsible for Salisbury Consolidated and Ted Balcomb was trying to enlist coaching assistance for Salisbury North school, eventually gaining the services of Billy Rudd. For the new schools, Eddie Thornton transferred from Broadmeadows to Elizabeth Park, where he was being assisted by Fred Brooks and 'Geordie' Cooling. Bill Pyke switched over from Elizabeth South to run Elizabeth East and, at the eleventh hour, Dennis Sykes, a player with Elizabeth Town Soccer Club, stepped into the breach to Coach Elizabeth Vale, assisted by Sago Petrucco.

An innovation, early in the year, was the introduction of a regular column in the local paper, The Salisbury-Elizabeth Times. Previously, local primary school soccer snippets had been submitted by Syd Barrett as and when they occurred, but now, with the assistance of his near neighbour, Len Spriggs, Syd began to submit a weekly column under the pseudonym of 'Left Back.' These columns, regularly covering almost a full page of the paper, would give detailed weekly reports of every match played the previous weekend, in addition to news of current events in the organisation of primary school soccer. These articles have proved to be a mine of information on the early history of schoolboy soccer in our area.

The very first article, which appeared on 14th April 1961, outlined the problems associated with getting schoolboy soccer off the ground in those early days and seems well worth repeating:

• It is not generally realised the amount of hard work that goes into fielding schoolboy soccer teams. When new schools open there are no goal posts, pitches, soccer balls or shirts and no one to train any of the boys who wish to play soccer. This is where the Zone Representative moves in and endeavours to organise a team.
• The Soccer Association makes a grant of £5, supplies one soccer ball per team and a set of goal posts. The next thing to be done is to find someone interested enough to coach the boys and unless this happens to be a teacher in the school the task of an outside coach is by no means an easy one.
• Training has to take place outside school hours because unlike most other sports, soccer is not recognised by the education authorities, therefore does not get any help or encouragement, financial or otherwise, from that source. A coach from outside the school has to spend a great deal of his leisure time training the boys, arranging transport, organising the making of shirts and endeavouring to get messages to the boys regarding training. The £5 grant is the only finance available for all this and is payable once only.
• A pitch has then to be found until such time the school ground is in a fit state for sport of this nature and this may take anything up to two to three years. Trophies and cups are also needed and are often readily given by prominent business people.
• It will be seen therefore that when a schoolboy soccer team takes the field in a smart turn-out someone has worked very hard with only the boys' interests at heart and without any official help apart from that given by the headmaster who, in this area, has generally given the utmost co-operation.

It was therefore left to the sole efforts of these early volunteers to organise fund-raising by arranging bottle drives, trading tables, etc., amongst their boys and their parents to provide the necessary balls, practice equipment and, most importantly, material for the making of soccer shirts. Although shorts, socks and the heavy Australian Rules style boots were available, soccer shirts could not be bought 'off the peg' in those days and consequently the accepted practice was for the coach to buy various lengths of coloured material and then organise his boys' mothers into holding sewing bees to make up the different coloured strips in the school official colours. Additional refinements such as nets, comer flags and ground markers were unobtainable too, although some enterprising coaches soon utilised broomsticks for comer flags and manufactured their own makeshift marking equipment.

On the subject of grounds, the only pitch available in the Elizabeth area until well into 1960 was on the Judd Road public reserve, adjacent to Philip Highway and practice sessions and matches for all teams had to be arranged on this pitch. Once Kelsey Road and' Ramsay Park grounds were established, the two senior clubs gladly donated the use of these, but these facilities were generally reserved for big occasion matches.

Late in 1960 Broadmeadows and Elizabeth North schools allocated undeveloped areas on which goal posts were erected and, although the playing surfaces were still in their natural state, pitted with pot holes and ruts, these pitches had to be pressed into service. In June 1961, thanks to the efforts of Eddie Thornton, Fred Brooks and some fathers from Elizabeth Park, Dauntsey Road was made serviceable and became the home ground for Elizabeth Park school, even though the pitch was on the other side of the Main North Road from the school. Elizabeth South and Salisbury Consolidated schools anticipated having their pitches properly prepared and available for the 1962 season and Elizabeth Grove and Elizabeth East hoped to have their school grounds graded shortly. The high school teams had also been forced to share the Philip Highway pitch with the primary school teams but, in 1961, the W.R.E., as the Defence Research Centre at Salisbury was then known, came to the rescue by making its pitch available to the high school teams, for which the organising body was most gratatefu1.

The 1961 season got under way with the primary schoolboys' body organising a lightning carnival on Anzac Day for the United Motors Shield. The two finalists, Elizabeth Grove and Broadmeadows, were still deadlocked at 0-0 after playing two complete periods of extra time. It was then too dark to continue so the two teams met again in a replay the following week, with the Grove lads running out narrow winners by two goals to one.

The Queen's Birthday Carnival proved to be another step in the successful run by the Elizabeth Grove boys when they defeated Elizabeth Vale 2-0 in the final. This team remained undefeated throughout the league season topping League I, whilst Elizabeth Vale, with its one team, proved to be the strongest team in League II. The final league tables for 1961 read:

League I

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Elizabeth Grove	14	9	5	0	26	8	23
Salisbury North	14	9	2	3	53	12	20
Elizabeth South	14	9	1	4	27	15	19
Elizabeth East	14	7	4	3	40	25	18
Elizabeth Park	14	4	3	7	24	24	11
Elizabeth North	14	3	3	8	22	32	9
Broadmeadows	14	3	1	10	17	42	7
Salisbury Consolidated	14	0	5	9	13	64	5

League II

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Elizabeth Vale	14	13	0	1	94	4	26
Elizabeth Grove	14	11	0	3	38	11	22
Elizabeth South	14	10	1	3	61	20	21
Elizabeth North	14	6	1	7	28	33	13
Elizabeth Park	14	4	2	8	15	45	10
Elizabeth East	14	2	1	11	16	48	5
Broadmeadows	14	2	0	12	9	84	4

However, Elizabeth Grove's run of successes came to an end in the Challenge Cup, in which Salisbury North defeated Elizabeth Vale 2-1 in the final to win the Salisbury United Cup. This titanic struggle ended after two exhausting periods of extra time in the replay, both teams having remained deadlocked after two periods of extra time in their first encounter. In the final of Maurie's Cup for League II teams, named after its donor, the owner of the Fish Grill in E1izageth Grove, Elizabeth South was successful in defeating Elizabeth North by three goals to nil.

Two exhibition matches staged before the end-of-season trophy presentation resulted in Elizabeth Vale, the League II Champions, defeating the Rest of League II 5-0, whilst Elizabeth Grove, the League I Champions, drew 2-2 with the Rest of League I. After the presentation of the League and Cup Trophies, the Sportsmanship Trophy, donated by Miss Olive Barton of the U. K. Ministry of Information in Adelaide, was presented to Jim Connell, coach of Salisbury Consolidated as the most sporting school, by Mr. J. Clark, M.P., a presentation which was widely acclaimed. Syd Barrett gratefully acknowledged that more volunteers were now coming forward to offer their services in refereeing matches. Additional referees recruited this season, to augment the overworked team of Ted Balcomb, Dennis Moore and Bill Roche, had been Len Smith, John Coles, Ray Torry and John Bell.

Elizabeth Grove's efforts to win the Referees Cup for the Zone were unsuccessful when they were gradually worn down by a much bigger and heavier Enfield school team and allowed a goal to be scored against them just before full time. The Inter-Zone squad, coached by Bill Pyke, fared a similar fate, being just beaten 1-0 by Far South Western Zone. This squad consisted of Jim Connell, Jeff Birch, Irving, Smith (Salisbury North), Hugo Grannemann, Barry Pyke (Elizabeth East), Brimble, Bilsborough (Elizabeth South), Eddie Clavell, John Spriggs (Elizabeth Grove), Norman Brooks (Elizabeth Park), Bill Clark (Elizabeth North), Tony Worrall, Paul Moran and Calderbank (Elizabeth Vale). In the usual wind-up to the season, the coaches, who 'again brought out of retirement such old stagers as Jim Connell, Eddie Thornton and Len Spriggs,' once again scraped home in their match against the Inter- Zone team by six goals to five, thanks mainly to a hat-trick scored by Alex Scott.

Meanwhile, at the Junior Colt and Junior level, events were beginning to move at a faster rate. Elizabeth Technical High School, now called Fremont High, had opened in Elizabeth East midway through 1960 and Elizabeth High School opened in February 1961. Approaches were made to the headmasters of these schools and permission was obtained for teams to be formed representing these two schools. Early stalwarts of primary school soccer in Elizabeth, George Tingay and Duncan Ross were given the job of organising the school teams.

After a great deal of effort, a small band comprising George and Duncan, together with other enthusiastic parents such as Tom Kelly, Ron Robinson and Lou Stockbridge, who had now transferred his interests from Elizabeth North School to Elizabeth High School, organised a league comprising two teams from each of the high schools in the area. The season's competition went off very smoothly and the final positions in the league were as follows:

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Elizabeth Technical 'A'	10	8	1	1	48	11	17
Salisbury High 'A'	10	7	1	2	47	15	15
Elizabeth High 'A'	10	6	1	3	26	19	13
Salisbury High 'B'	10	3	2	5	12	29	8
Elizabeth Technical 'B'	10	2	0	8	9	23	4
Elizabeth High 'B'	10	1	1	8	3	48	3

Elizabeth Technical' A ' went on to defeat Salisbury High' A ' by four goals to three to win the Caledonian Shield in a knock-out competition at the end of the season.

Three local lads were selected in the State High School Squad, which returned undefeated from a tour to Sydney. They were Ian Stockbridge (Elizabeth High), Gerald Tingay and Sean Kelly (Elizabeth Technical High).

During the 1961 season it had become evident that interest in junior soccer was now growing at a rapid rate, fired largely by the rapidly increasing influx of U.K. expatriates and a meeting was held between the primary and high school bodies at Elizabeth South School on 27th June, at which the Salisbury United and Elizabeth Town senior soccer clubs were also represented. The elected Chairman of the meeting, Ron Robinson, said that, at present, some 200 primary schoolboys and 100 high schoolboys were playing soccer and plans should be made to accommodate more players. These should include boys in the area who did not attend any of the local high schools and it was proposed that a local junior soccer body should be formed to promote the playing of soccer amongst all youth in the area. However, the primary school representatives were, as yet, not unanimously convinced of the need for a combined approach and so the high school representatives decided to 'go it alone' and formed a sub-committee to investigate the proposal.

In August 1961 the High School representatives held a meeting at Elizabeth High School, at which the Far Northern Zone Junior Soccer Council was formed to cater for boys wishing to continue to play soccer after they'd left primary school. The members of this council comprised Ron Robinson, chairman; Lou Stockbridge, secretary; George Tingay, treasurer; Duncan Ross, Tom Kelly and Messrs. Chamberlain, Young and Knott. So the year 1961 ended with both the primary school and junior soccer organisations operating successfully but, as yet, still quite distinctly separate entities.

1962 opened, on the Primary School scene, with Syd Barrett again filling the position of Area Representative, responsible for liaison at State level. Bill Rudd continued his activities at Salisbury North and Jim Connell was once more responsible for Salisbury Consolidated School. The sports master at Elizabeth Vale School, Fred Hausler, who had first become interested in his school's soccer team the previous season even though he knew nothing about the game, was looking out for a coach for his boys and eventually Fred Beck came to the rescue. Elizabeth East again had Bill Pyke at the helm and Len Spriggs, who was also treasurer of the primary schools body by this time, was looking to continue his run of successes of the previous year with Elizabeth Grove. Elizabeth South School was fortunate in still having Tom Jones and Jack Gripton, the two English expatriate teachers, to organise soccer for their school and Burnie Weeks had, by now, entered the Elizabeth North scene in association with Laurie Earwood. Eddie Thornton and Fred Brooks were enthusiastic about their chances with Elizabeth Park and, with Peter Lawson being unable to continue at Broadmeadows, Joe Chambers and Sid Goode stepped into the breach at a late stage by offering their services.

As the season progressed, Elizabeth North acquired the help of Wally Townsend to assist with coaching, Brian Deeley augmented the coaching strength for the Park and Jimmy Donaghy resumed assisting Len Spriggs at Elizabeth Grove, after recovering from a serious injury whilst playing soccer. Len, who never seemed to lack plenty of parental support, had also acquired the services of Jim Baggott and Ted Lacey.

Both Elizabeth Vale and Salisbury Consolidated schools were able to field two teams each this season and the two leagues now each comprised nine teams. During the year the services of several new referees were obtained including Ken Lowcock; the Revd. F. W. Applin, Derek Smith and Jim Billington, the Secretary of Elizabeth Town Soccer Club.

The first major event of the season, the Queen's Birthday Carnival, resulted in a victory in the League I Competition for Elizabeth Vale over Elizabeth North by three goals to one, in a replay following a 1-1 draw at their first meeting. The United Motors Shield for League II teams was won by Elizabeth Grove, which defeated Elizabeth Vale 2-1 in the Final.

Elizabeth Vale and Elizabeth Grove schools were the most successful in the league competitions. Complete league tables were not published for the 1962 season, but the final points scored by all teams were as follows:

League I	League II

Team	Pts		Team	Pts
Elizabeth Vale	27		Elizabeth Grove	29
Elizabeth Grove	25		Elizabeth North	27
Salisbury Consolidated	21		Elizabeth Vale	27
Elizabeth North	18		Salisbury North	15
Elizabeth Park	14		Elizabeth South	14
Elizabeth South	14		Salisbury Consolidated	10
Elizabeth East	11		Elizabeth East	10
Broadmeadows	8		Elizabeth Park	9
Salisbury North	6		Broadmeadows	3

In a shock result, Elizabeth North turned the tables on Elizabeth Grove in the final of the Salisbury United Challenge Cup for League I teams by scoring the only goal of the match and, in League II, an even more surprising 'turn up for the books' came when Elizabeth Park, over coming its lowly position in the league, scraped home by defeating Elizabeth Vale 5-4, to win Maurie's Cup, in the replay necessary after the first match had resulted in a 1-1 draw. The Sportsmanship Trophy was awarded to Elizabeth East School at the trophy presentation held at the end of the season.

Our area was asked to field two teams in the Referees Cup and the two top teams in League I, Elizabeth Vale and Elizabeth Grove were chosen to represent the Zone. Unfortunately they were obliged to play each other in the First Round and the Vale boys blasted their way into the next round by defeating the Grove 4-1. Elizabeth Vale continued in similar vein throughout the competition, eventually mastering Ascot Park School, in the final, by three goals to two, to bring the Referees Cup back to our area for the first time since 1958. Congratulations were accorded to the Coach, Fred Beck and Fred Hausler, the Vale sports master, for their efforts with the boys.

Our Zone, which was already gaining a reputation as a force to be reckoned with, was requested to field two teams also in the Inter-Zone Competition. A team of coaches was appointed comprising Sid Goode, Fred Beck, Wally Townsend, Jimmy Donaghy and Fred Brooks and they selected the following boys to make up the two teams to represent our Zone:-

• Dieter Schindler, Bill Clark, Alan Townsend, Ross Bryant, Keith Earwood, Bill Ross, Michael Delahaye (Elizabeth North), Alan Lamb, Ralph Luscombe, Paul Berrisford, Glyn Ford, Michael Powell (Elizabeth Grove), Tony Goode, J. Lawley, Tony Francis (Broadmeadows), Clive Ashby, Paul Moran, Graham Good, T. Tooley, D. McPherson (Elizabeth Vale), Norman Brooks, Tibby Baumeester, Nigel Douglas, Bill Coleman (Elizabeth Park), Barry Pyke, Bill Doughty, Gary Rushton (Elizabeth East), Michael Milligan, John Peel (Elizabeth South), B. Vette (Salisbury Consolidated) and Oliver (Salisbury North).

The' A' team breezed through to the final with scores of 2-0, 4-0 and 3-0 and then defeated Western Zone 7-0 in the final to win the Trophy without having had a single goal scored against it. Much credit was accorded to the combined efforts of the five Coaches responsible for the two teams.

Once again, the season ended with a fun day, prior to the presentation of trophies. This year, the coaches managed to scrape up two teams to play against the two zone teams. The first match was a ding-dong struggle with Brian Deeley scoring first for the Coaches and then Hugo Grannemann equalised for the Zone 'B' boys. Fred Beck and Brian Deeley put the coaches 3-1 ahead, but goals by Bill Coleman and Bill Doughty levelled the scores by half- time. The boys gained control in the second half with goals by Coleman and Tooley and although the Coaches fought back with a goal by Bill Rudd, they couldn't score again and the Zone 'B' team ran out winners by five goals to four.

The coaches' A ' team got its revenge against the Zone' A ' boys thanks to two brilliant goals by Bill Pyke, who dazzled all with his brilliant footwork. John Cole, Fred Brooks and Sid Goode all combined together to score two more goals between them, whilst the boys could only reply with two goals scored by Norman Brooks and Clive Ashby. It was also reported that 'the result might have been a different story if Len Spriggs, in goal for the Coaches, had not saved so many hard shots, including a penalty, which amazed everyone, including himself.'

Meanwhile, the junior organisation had been steadily progressing financially, thanks to some highly successful teenage dances held at Ramsey Park, with music being provided by a local group of youngsters, 'The Vectormen,' with jovial Tom Kelly as M.C. The old guard of Duncan Ross, George Tingay, Tom Kelly, Lou Stockbridge and Ron Robinson had now been augmented by volunteer parents in Tom Carr, Glyn Jones, Frank Bedford and Mrs. H. Wootton. Early in the year, too, the original Far Northern Zone Junior Soccer Council badge had been designed, comprising a bunch of grapes surmounted by a soccer ball with the aboriginal words 'Ngadlakurna Jowani,' translated as 'United We Stand,' inscribed beneath.

Three divisions of four teams each were organised, in which the competing teams comprised four from the Elizabeth Technical High School, five from Elizabeth High, two from Salisbury High School and one, under the name of the old Weapons Research Establishment, to cater for boys who were not attending any of the high schools in this area.

Two representative squads were selected to play against Victorian high schools in a five-day tour to Melbourne. The members of these squads were:-

• Juniors:
  Ian Stockbridge (Capt.), Gerald Tingay, Pat Hadland, Ron Carr, Ron Farrington, Ron Schrama, Jeff Irish, Keith Barrett, Ron Greening, Edward Walton, Vic Smith, Roger Wootton, John Thillart, Peter Freeman and Sean Kelly.

• Junior Colts:
  Peter Berrisford (Capt.), Colin Murray, John Pike, William Fulton, Michael Anderson, Brian Kelly, Roger Cope, Freddie Jongejan, Tony Partridge, Robert Beattie, L. Wright, Peter Hadland, Bryan Young, Michael Sales, Barry Reynolds and Larry Moore.

The season's competitions were concluded successfully with the winners of the various trophies and Pennants being:-

Trophy Winners

Caledonian Shield	Elizabeth Tech High 1
Wootton Trophy	Elizabeth Tech High 1
Elizabeth & Salisbury Clubs Shield	Salisbury High 1
Charlie Brown Trophy	Elizabeth High 2
Rose Bowl	Elizabeth Tech High 4
Wall Trophy	Elizabeth High 5

Pennant Winners

1st Division	Elizabeth High 1
2nd Division	Elizabeth High 2
3rd Division	Elizabeth Tech High 4

At the Annual Meeting, held at the beginning of November, the following appointments were made to the Executive of the Junior Council, Tom Kelly, chairman; Lou Stockbridge, secretary; George Tingay, treasurer; Mrs. H. Wootton, assistant secretary; Frank Bedford, registrar; and Council members Billy Rudd and Jim Catlin.

During the year the initial opposition expressed by certain primary school coaches, to the proposed merger with the junior body had been overcome and Syd Barrett, Joe Chambers and Len Spriggs were appointed as the primary school representatives on a joint sub- committee, together with members appointed from the Junior Council, which, from memory, consisted of Tom Kelly, George Tingay and Lou Stockbridge, to draw up plans for a proposed amalgamation of the two bodies.

CHAPTER TWO

During the close season, 1962/63, the members of the subcommittee met on several occasions to thrash out details of the proposed merger of the Junior Council with the primary school's body and, at the end of their deliberations, Len Spriggs was given the task of writing a suitable constitution to cover the proposed activities of the new body.

The historic inaugural meeting of the primary school and high school representatives called to discuss the sub-committees recommendations took place at the Elizabeth South Primary School on 7th February 1963. Len Spriggs, who was invited to open the proceedings, informed the gathering that the proposed new Council could expect to cater for some 42 teams involving some 600 boys during the coming season and went on to explain details of the proposed activities. The main features included in the proposed Constitution were that the new body would adopt the name initiated the previous year by the high schools' organisation of 'The Far Northern Zone Junior Soccer Council,' the Primary Schools' and Junior Committees would continue to function separately as sub-committees, to organise fixtures and other clearly defined activities, whilst the Executive Committee of the new Council would help to co-ordinate these activities, arrange for the hiring of Council pitches, appoint representatives to the State Junior Soccer Committee and ensure the proper passing over of boys from primary schools' to Junior Soccer.

The Constitution was duly adopted, the newly formed Council was formally brought into being and Cr. Duncan Anderson took over the chair for the election of officers. The following members of the first Executive were then elected: Len Spriggs, chairman; Lou Stockbridge, secretary; George Tingay, treasurer; and committee members Tom Kelly, Ron Robinson, Syd Barrett, Fred Brooks and Eddie Thornton.

The minutes of this First General Meeting are still in the Association's possession, together with a historic document containing the signatures of the 25 enthusiasts who attended this meeting. Apart from the names of each member of the Executive as 1i$ted above, the document also includes the signatures of other early Junior Soccer identities such as Mrs. H. Wootton, Harry Huddy, Duncan Anderson, Jack Gripton, Bill Pyke, Jim Baggott, Sid Goode, Joe Chambers, Laurie Earwood, Jim Mullett, Ted Balcomb, John Sales, Alan McInnes and Jim Billington.

An Executive Committee Meeting held immediately after this inaugural meeting authorised the Chairman and Tom Kelly to negotiate, with the District Engineer of the Salisbury Council, for the leasehold of the new hall and change rooms about to be built in Mofflin Road, Elizabeth Vale. This, of course, was in the days before Elizabeth had its own Council and, in those days, all ovals in the Elizabeth area, including buildings erected on them, were administered by the Salisbury Council.

One of the first tasks undertaken by the new Junior Soccer Council Executive, in order to raise funds, was to appoint a sub-committee comprising Tom Kelly, George Tingay, Syd Barrett and Fred Brooks to organise a Grand Opening Ball. This was held at the St. Peter's Mission on 25th May and turned out to be a huge success.

However, the new Executive was not without its teething problems. For varying reasons, first Lou Stockbridge had to resign as secretary and Eddie Thornton took over the role, Mrs. Wootton joined the Executive as minute secretary and then Ron Robinson resigned and Frank Bedford was appointed in his place. Shortly after Mrs. Wootton left, Fred Brooks took over as minute secretary and Ron Robinson returned to the fold. All these unsettling changes took place within the space of a couple of months, between mid-April and mid-June.

Three new Council pitches, at Mofflin Road, Harvey Road and Border Park, as Broadmeadows Oval was first known, became available and the Salisbury Council accepted the new Junior Soccer Council's offer of £50 for the season's hire of the five pitches, such fee to include the remarking of all pitches once every three weeks.

The Primary School's sub-committee announced, in mid-March, the names of coaches appointed to cover all eleven primary schools, which, would include, for the first time, the two newly-opened schools at Elizabeth West and Elizabeth Downs. The coaches appointed were:

• Jack Gripton (Elizabeth South), Burnie Weeks, Laurie Earwood (Elizabeth North), Len Spriggs, Jimmy Donaghy, Jim Baggott (Elizabeth Grove), Bill Pyke (Elizabeth East), Fred Beck, Fred Hausler (Elizabeth Vale), Fred Brooks, Eddie Thornton (Elizabeth Park), Gordon Wight (Elizabeth West). Sid Goode (Elizabeth Downs), Joe Chambers (Broadmeadows), Jim Connell (Salisbury Consolidated), Jim Mullett and Ted Balcomb (Salisbury North).

Jim Connell, however, soon found that his commitments to senior soccer were proving too much for him to continue with Salisbury Consolidated and, in response to a public appeal, Fred Wight, the brother of Gordon Wight, who was just starting Elizabeth West off the ground, came to the rescue and took over Salisbury Consolidated's teams. In response to appeals for further assistance at certain schools, it was announced that Alan McInnes was helping out at Elizabeth West, John Sales at Broadmeadows, Derek Newman at Elizabeth East, Hughie Ross at Elizabeth Downs, Bill Wild ash and Herbie Gray at Elizabeth South and Angus Cunningham at Salisbury Consolidated, This school also gratefully acknowledged the sterling work being performed behind the scenes by Mrs. Love. It was also reported that Ron Rock had joined the team at Elizabeth Vale and one particularly busy person on Saturdays was Harry Huddy, who had one son, Desmond, attending Elizabeth High School and the other, Graham still at Elizabeth Grove School. On Saturday mornings he could be seen helping out with the Grove teams. Then, in the afternoons, he would dash off to help Coach Desmond's high school team in its matches. The comment was 'Not bad for a true blue Aussie, an ardent Australian Rules fan, who'd never seen a soccer ball until his sons started playing soccer for the Grove school'.

The primary school allocations to Council pitches in the Elizabeth area for the 1963 season were Mofflin Road (Elizabeth Vale), Philip Highway (Elizabeth Grove and Elizabeth Park), Dauntsey Road (Elizabeth West), Harvey Road (Elizabeth East) and Border Park, (Broadmeadows and Elizabeth Downs). Elizabeth South and Elizabeth North teams were able to use their school pitches. From this, it will be appreciated the difficulties some coaches encountered in transporting their teams to meet their match commitments, often single- handed, let alone their efforts to hold practice sessions.

The primary schools' season got under way with 22 teams competing in two leagues, comprising two teams from each school. New referees coming forward to offer their services in refereeing both primary and high school games included Cyril Coleman, Tony Essex, Mick Armstrong, Charlie Brown and Derek Newman. Meanwhile the old brigade of Dennis Moore, Ray Torry, Bill Roche, Ted Balcomb and Jim Billington, amongst others, were still providing a sterling service.

The Queen's Birthday Shield for League I teams was won narrowly by Elizabeth East with a one goal to nil defeat of Elizabeth North and the United Motors Shield for League II teams was also a closely fought out contest with Elizabeth Vale emerging victors over Elizabeth Grove by two goals to one. Shortly after, Fred Beck found he was no longer able to coach the Vale teams and Ron Rock took over the reins.

During the September school holidays, the primary schools' section entertained its first Inter- State touring side, a representative primary school squad from the Sutherland shire Junior Soccer Association in New South Wales. The displays put on by these visitors showed that the standard was exceptionally high in New South Wales, as compared with our State. After comfortably beating all the teams matched against them during the week, which comprised combined teams from two different schools every day, our Inter-Zone squad was rather fortunate in holding the visitors to a one-all draw on the final Saturday. Ken Watts, the manager and Owen Beard, the coach were so delighted with the reception their boys had received at the hands of the billeting parents, they immediately issued return invitations for the following year and this set the pattern for a number of reciprocal tours which took place over the next decade or so.

The league competitions proved to be a resounding triumph for Elizabeth North Primary School. Both teams, which were coached by Burnie Weeks and Laurie Earwood, took out their respective leagues and the final league tables read as follows:

League I

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Elizabeth North	20	19	1	0	100	7	39
Elizabeth East	20	15	2	3	90	17	32
Elizabeth Grove	20	14	2	4	81	16	30
Salisbury Consolidated	20	11	4	5	58	40	26
Elizabeth South	20	12	2	6	45	37	26
Salisbury North	20	6	3	11	38	51	15
Elizabeth Park	20	3	8	9	21	55	14
Elizabeth Downs	20	5	2	13	24	66	12
Elizabeth Vale	20	5	2	13	19	49	12
Elizabeth West	20	4	2	14	18	70	10
Broadmeadows	20	1	2	17	11	97	4

League II

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Elizabeth North	20	18	0	2	112	10	36
Elizabeth Grove	20	16	2	2	78	15	34
Elizabeth East	20	15	2	3	78	16	32
Elizabeth Vale	20	13	1	6	72	19	27
Elizabeth South	20	12	2	6	44	27	26
Salisbury North	20	8	1	11	43	57	17
Elizabeth West	20	8	1	11	41	50	17
Elizabeth Park	20	5	1	14	12	66	11
Elizabeth Downs	20	3	3	14	10	40	9
Broadmeadows	20	4	1	15	9	104	9
Salisbury Consolidated	20	0	2	18	4	99	2

As the premier team in League I, Elizabeth North represented our zone in the Referees Cup, cruising through to defeat Seacliff Primary School 3-0 in the final, to bring the trophy back to our district for the second year running.

The Inter-Zone Squad comprised the following lads:

• W. Potuszynski, R. Tranter, Dave Sands (Salisbury Consolidated), Bill Doughty, Ray Halford, Barry Pyke (Elizabeth East), Robert Goode, J. Lawley (Elizabeth Downs), Keith Earwood (Elizabeth North), R. Henderson, G. Pascucci (Salisbury North), Ian Horsburgh, Michael Powell (Elizabeth Grove), I. Woodland (Elizabeth West) and Louis Hutchinson (Elizabeth Vale). Much to everyone's surprise, the squad was unluckily knocked out by Port Adelaide, which went on to win the final. However, in a challenge match played later, our boys decisively turned the tables on Port Adelaide, winning by six goals to two.

Meanwhile, news of the high schools' activities was rather sparse. Fifteen teams competed during the season, including six teams from Elizabeth High School, five from Elizabeth Technical High and three from Salisbury High School. Once again the Elizabeth Schools were in the capable hands of old stalwarts George Tingay, Tom Kelly, Duncan Ross, Lou Stockbridge, Ron Robinson, Tom Carr, Glyn Jones and Frank Bedford, whilst the Salisbury High School teams were coached by Billy Rudd and Ron Pike. A new addition to the coaching strength at the Elizabeth Technical High School this season had been Tom Foy.

Roger Cope, Lindsay Earle and Jim Connell, all attending local high schools, were selected in the State Under 15 Squad, which toured to New South Wales during the May school holidays and during the September school holidays the Junior section entertained two teams from Melbourne High Schools and one from Whyalla. Over the weekend, Whyalla High School defeated our Junior Colts 'B' Select team by three goals to two and the Melbourne Squad proved too good for our Colts' A' team, winning by three goals to one. It was left to our junior team to stop the rot and these lads did so handsomely in defeating the Melbourne Juniors 3-0.

Earlier in the year, the chairman had announced that the Salisbury Council had agreed to lease the hall and change rooms being constructed on the Mofflin Road Reserve to our Junior Soccer Council for the sum of £7 per week and, as it was normal Council practice only to lease halls to incorporated bodies, recommended that steps should be taken to register our Council as an incorporated association. These proposals were given the go-ahead and preparations were made for the grand opening of our headquarters, which took place on Saturday, 19th October.

The momentous day opened in great style, with the Primary Schools' Challenge Cup Finals being played in the morning. The League I final resulted in a runaway victory for Elizabeth East, which won its first trophy by soundly defeating Elizabeth Vale 6-1, whilst Elizabeth North just edged home in the League II final in beating Elizabeth Grove, after a tense struggle, by three goals to two. These matches were followed by the Caledonian Shield Final for the juniors, in which Elizabeth High School proved victorious over Salisbury High School.

The afternoon's activities commenced with the trophy presentations. Before a distinguished gathering, which included the Chairman of the Salisbury Council, Cr. J. Lindblom; Elizabeth Councillors Jones and Whiting; the District Clerk, Mr. J. Bormann; headmasters and representatives from schools in the district and representatives from the local senior soccer clubs, Mr. J. S. Clark, the local Member of the House of Assembly, presented trophies to all the winning teams for the season. This year's Sportsmanship Trophy for Primary Schools was awarded to Broadsmeadows School.

The Trophies presented for the Junior Section Competitions were as follows:

League	Winners
1st Division	Elizabeth Technical High Green
2nd Division	Elizabeth High White

Trophy	Winners	Runner Up
Charlie Brown Trophy	Elizabeth High	Elizabeth Technical High Green
Caladonian Shield	Elizabeth High	Salisbury High
Edinburgh Motors Shield	Elizabeth High Green
Sportsmanship Trophy	Elizabeth Technical High Blue

After presenting all the trophies Mr Clark then proceeded with the official opening ceremony of the headquarters for the Far Northern Zone Junior Soccer Council and formally handed over the keys to the chairman Len Spriggs.

After all the formalities were over and the official guests had left, the final match of the day was staged -the customary annual game between the Primary Schools' Inter-Zone Squad and their coaches. This turned out to be the usual lighthearted finale to the season, with the crowds of boys present cheering on their mates and good-humouredly booing the coaches. The coaches' team consisted of Gordon Wight, Alan McInnes (Elizabeth West), Fred Wight (Salisbury Consolidated), Len Spriggs (Elizabeth Grove), Fred Brooks (Elizabeth Park), Bill Pyke (Elizabeth East), John Sales (Broadmeadows), Hughie Ross (Elizabeth Downs), Ron Rock (Elizabeth Vale), Burnie Weeks (Elizabeth North), Bill Wildash, Herbie Gray (Elizabeth South), Tony Essex and Mick Armstrong (referees). After a ding-dong battle, the coaches won through by four goals to two, their scorers being Bill Pyke, Alan McInnes, Fred Wight and Mick Armstrong. For the boys, Barry Pyke and Louis Hutchinson retaliated with a goal each. However, as usual, there were quite a few observations that the coaches finished the game with all 14 players on the field at once!

The memorable day came to a close in the evening when a highly successful Grand Opening Dance was held in the new hall, with over 100 members and wives in attendance.

As the season had progressed, certain members of the Executive had come to the conclusion that the current system of promoting Junior Soccer in this area had many shortcomings. With little or no material assistance being provided by schools, the soccer coaches appointed to the various schools were finding it an uphill job trying to establish and maintain pitches on school grounds almost single-handedly. The high school teams were graded purely on ability without regard to age and, as these teams competed against each other in the leagues, some quite astronomical results were being recorded. Moreover, as primary schoolboys progressed on to different high schools, no continuity of friendships built up in primary school was being afforded and the sense of allegiance nurtured in their primary school years disappeared once the boys went on to high schools. Finally, the problem of trying to cater for boys who attended high schools in the Adelaide area had never been really satisfactorily resolved.

Whilst the Sutherlandshire visiting squad was being entertained by the primary schools section of the Junior Council, a vital meeting took place at their officials' quarters in the Governor McDonnell Hotel in Salisbury. Manager Ken Watts and Coach Owen Beard met with Len Spriggs, Syd Barrett and Fred Brooks and detailed information was obtained on the New South Wales system of operations. From these discussions the framework of a method of organised competition involving the formation of district clubs was evolved and presented to a Special General Meeting held on 31st October. The chairman, in presenting a proposed revised Constitution for consideration by members, explained that it was proposed that junior soccer clubs would be formed for each district within the Council's area and that league competitions would be organised for district Under 14, Under 15 and Under 18 teams and for primary schoolboys, Under 10, Under 12 and Under 14 teams. Every primary school would continue to be represented but whereas, in the past it had been largely left to individuals to organise their primary school teams, in future the school teams would be sponsored by their district clubs, which would be administered by committees formed amongst members. In the upper age groups, it was anticipated a keener competition would develop between boys playing for the district in which they lived and continuity would result in boys progressing from primary school to district team. The proposals were given the green light by the meeting and the executive was authorised to go ahead with the preparations.

At the Annual General Meeting held at the end of November, the chairman expressed regrets at the intention of George Tingay and Tom Kelly not to seek re-election to the Executive, at the same time paying tribute to the magnificent services rendered to Junior Soccer by each of them over the years. George intended to take a well-earned rest, having been involved with Junior Soccer since its inception in 1957 and Tom had been nominated as chairman of the South Australian Junior Soccer body.

Executive members elected for the following year were Len Spriggs, chairman; Syd Barrett, vice-chairman and publicity officer: Eddie Thornton, secretary; Fred Brooks, minute secretary; Ron Robinson, treasurer; Harry Huddy, registrar; and executive members Billy Rudd, Glyn Jones, Tom Foy, Joe Chambers and Gordon Wight.

A Disciplinary Committee was elected comprising Ted Balcomb, Tom Kelly and Syd Barrett and a Fixtures Committee consisting of Syd Barrett, Fred Brooks, George Tingay and Gordon Wight, with the chairman and secretary of the council being ex officio members of all committees.

So the year 1963 came to a close with every member of the Executive eagerly looking forward to the following year, which was to herald in the exciting new concept for Junior Soccer, unique to South Australia.

The year 1964 got under way with the early announcement that Tom Kelly and Glyn Jones were to be congratulated on their being appointed chairman and vice chairman respectively of the South Australian Junior Soccer Council.

Well over 30 members attended the first monthly meeting of the F.N.Z.J.S.C. on the 30th January. The Chairman expressed appreciation of the interest being shown in the proposed District Club system and requested information from those present of the clubs with which they were associated. The roll call was as follows:

• Elizabeth Downs: Frank Bedford, Alan Hanton, Hughie Ross and Bill Thompson
• Elizabeth East: Bill Pyke
• Elizabeth Grove: Len Spriggs, George Tingay, Syd Barrett, Tony Essex, Harry Huddy and Wilf Marwe
• Elizabeth North: Burnie Weeks, Laurie Earwood, Alex Scott, John Sales and Joe Chambers (Broadmeadows)
• Elizabeth Park: Fred Brooks, Eddie Thornton, Tom Kelly and Tom Foy
• Elizabeth South: Jim Downing, Ernie Whittingham, Herbie Gray and Joe Gresty
• Elizabeth Vale: Glyn Jones, Ron Rock, Duncan McIntyre, Ernie Osborne and Fred Beck
• Elizabeth West: Gordon Wight and Ron Teale
• Salisbury: Fred Wight, Billy Rudd, John Pike and Mrs. Love

The chairman then informed the Meeting of plans for leasing public pitches and said that each district club would receive a grant of £5 from the Junior Council to assist with its formation expenses. Harry Huddy, in outlining plans for registering players, said that 401 primary schoolboys and 286 juniors and colts had taken part in 1963 and, in the coming season, it was anticipated some 800 lads would be registered.

'Chick' Harris, a representative of the Para Hills Progress Association, was welcomed to the Meeting and he reported that there were enough players from Para Hills to form two Under 18 teams and three Under 15 teams if a pitch could be provided. It was resolved that a delegation from the Junior Council would meet with the Sports Committee of the Progress Association to discuss plans for the formation of a club in Para Hills.

At a later meeting, the chairman reported on the progress made at the meetings which had been held at Para Hills and commended Robert Eldridge on the way he was organising Junior Soccer in Para Hills. A club had been formed and was now trying to arrange for a pitch at the local primary school but, if this was not possible, the Para Hills club would be prepared to play all its fixtures in Elizabeth.

Reports on the progress in the formation of other district clubs followed over the next few weeks. Burnie Weeks, the manager of the Elizabeth North Club, reported that Broadmeadows school, which would be organised through his club, was fortunate in having Messrs. Harrison and Smythe to assist Joe Chambers and John Sales. Laurie Earwood would be responsible for the Elizabeth North Primary School teams, assisted by James White, whilst Dennis Hare would look after the district teams and later Les Jones joined the team. Elizabeth Grove appointed Len Spriggs as manager and George Hulse as secretary / treasurer with coaching assistance being given by Jim Baggott, Harry Huddy, Wilf Marwe, Bill Powell and Derek Willcocks.

The two Teales, Ron and his son Ron, were assisting Gordon Wight at Elizabeth West; it was reported that Ron Rock would be unable to continue coaching with Elizabeth Vale this year but Glyn Jones, Ernie Osbome, Eddie Nichols, Len Lee and Duncan McIntyre were all helping out on the coaching side and it was hoped Fred Beck would be able to resume shortly. The old firm of Fred Brooks, Eddie Thornton, Tom Kelly and Tom Foy had matters well in hand for Elizabeth Park and Bill Pyke was well satisfied with the progress being made in Elizabeth East with Ron Lant being appointed secretary, Mrs. Rushton as treasurer and coaching assistance being provided by Messrs. Hancock, Chapman, Walford and Doughty.

News came to hand that Jimmy Donaghy, who had started his coaching career assisting Len Spriggs at the Grove, was endeavouring to form teams in Brahma Lodge and Salisbury appointed a Club Committee comprising Bert Oliver, chairman, Mr. Addison, vice- chairman, Mrs. N.J. Wight, secretary/treasurer, Fred Wight, Jim Mullett, Mrs. Love, Dennis Ingram, Bob Twitchen, John Bradshaw, Billy Rudd and Messrs. Sands, Weaver, Fretter and Mrs. Sands.

Para Hills Club advised that a committee had been formed comprising Robert Eldridge, chairman, John Eldridge, secretary, 'Chick' Harris, treasurer and John West, school liaison officer. In addition, Andy Balter, the well-known player, had offered his services as coach for practice games.

Meanwhile, plans had gone ahead to formalise the new body and the chairman announced that the Far Northern Zone Junior Soccer Council had been registered as an Incorporated Association on the 13th March 1964. The budget approved for the 1964 season makes interesting reading for it included such items as registration fees for 600 primary schoolboys at sixpence each and 100 high schoolboys at one shilling each -total £20. Match fees for primary schoolboys at three-pence per player per match and for high schoolboys at sixpence each per match were estimated to raise £120, a quite sizable amount for those days.

Just as the season was about to get under way, the Council suffered a setback when Eddie Thornton was obliged to relinquish his post as secretary, due to ill-health. Eddie had been a strong protagonist for the formation of the Junior Council and the loss of his services was deeply regretted. Doug Griffiths volunteered to step into the breach and took over as secretary. Following his election to the position of vice- chairman of the S.A.J.S.C., Glyn Jones retired from the Executive as did Billy Rudd, shortly after. In their places, the Executive welcomed back old stalwart George Tingay, who has persuaded to return and newcomer Joe Gresty, from Elizabeth South.

The first season of operating on the district club basis opened with a founder membership of eleven clubs. However, a total of 13 primary schools was being catered for, Broadmeadows school being administered by the Elizabeth North club and the Salisbury schools, Salisbury North and Salisbury, the old Consolidated School, were both controlled through a club, initially called Salisbury Centrals. Elizabeth Grove was the most strongly represented club fielding seven teams, one in each age group with two Under 12 teams, whilst Brahma Lodge, the smallest club, fielded just two teams.

The only mishap on the opening day was that Jimmy Donaghy's Under 10 and Under 12 teams from Brahma Lodge were unable to make the trip from Brahma Lodge to Elizabeth to fulfill their opening fixtures, due to lack of parental support to supply transport, An urgent meeting of parents was called, a committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Hutchins was formed and, after a. couple of weeks, sufficient transport was forthcoming and the Brahma Lodge boys were able to catch up on their fixtures. As no grounds could be obtained in their areas, both the Brahma Lodge and the Para Hills clubs were obliged to play their home games in Elizabeth.

The first major event of the season for the primary school teams was the annual Queen's Birthday Carnival, which took place on the 15th June. Elizabeth Downs won its first trophy, being successful in the Under 10 final by scoring the only goal of the match. Unfortunately the name of the runner-up was not reported. Elizabeth Vale defeated Elizabeth Grove by four goals to two in the final of the Under 12's, whilst Elizabeth North won the Under 14's trophy by beating Elizabeth West by three goals to two in the final.

However, an unfortunate incident arose during the preliminary rounds. One team had not appeared within five minutes of the scheduled start of its game on the Trimmer Road ground and, in accordance with the rules of the Competition, the referee had awarded the game to its opponents. It was subsequently found that the defaulting team had been waiting on the adjoining pitch at Mofflin Road, by mistake. The Chairman was called in to adjudicate, but due to the tightness of the programme had to uphold the referee's decision. Meanwhile, the Chairman's own team became due to play on the Mofflin Road pitch and Len Spriggs, being otherwise occupied, had not yet handed out the strips to his boys. The opposing coach claimed the match as the Grove team had not been ready to take the field at the appointed time, but the ground marshal turned down this claim as the previous match, which had run into extra time, was still in progress. This decision brought forth a torrent of personal abuse directed against the Chairman by the opposing coach and the supporters of both teams involved, during which he was accused of changing the rules to suit his convenience. The Chairman retaliated by immediately resigning as coach of the Grove Under 14 team and from all positions held with both the Junior Council and his Club.

One club subsequently apologised on behalf of its supporters but, as no apology was forthcoming from the opposing coach or his club, Len would not change his decision and so, at the following Council of Clubs' Meeting, Fred Humphreys, from the Elizabeth Park Club, was elected to take over as chairman. Soon after, Harry Huddy, too, resigned from his position as registrar, Joe Chambers volunteered to take over as registrar and Burnie Weeks joined the Executive.

The season progressed to the point where Elizabeth West, as top team in the Under 14 Primary School League, won the right to represent the Zone in the Referees Cup. Emulating the feat of Elizabeth North the previous year, the West boys sailed through to the final, in which they beat Cowandilla School by four goals to one to bring the Referees Cup back to our area for the third year running.

Two squads were selected to represent our Council in the Inter-Zone Competition and the Blue Squad, coached by Bob Calder and managed by Hughie Ross, proved victorious, winning all their matches by handsome margins.

• This squad consisted of Bill Ross, Robert Goode, Geoffrey Edwards, D. Stride, T. Barber (Elizabeth Downs), Keith Earwood, Joe Catterwell, Peter Frenchen (Elizabeth North), Robert Smith, Tony Lock (Elizabeth Vale), Richard Creaney, Robert Calder (Elizabeth Grove), Clive Attridge (Elizabeth West) and J. Eadsworth (Para Hills).

Three squads were selected to tour Inter-State.

• The Under 12 Squad was the most successful on its tour to Sutherlandshire, returning undefeated after winning three and drawing one of its games. Coached by Fred Brooks and managed by Hughie Ross, the squad comprised Tony Lock, Robert Smith (Elizabeth Vale), Geoffrey Edwards, Bill Ross, Geoff Stone (Elizabeth Downs), Ken Jones, Burnie Kenyon (Elizabeth West), Tony Nicholls, Peter Frenchen, Brian Torry (Elizabeth North), Philip Hunt, Richard Creaney, Raymond Marwe (Elizabeth Grove), Gary Rushton (Elizabeth East) and S. Thomas (Elizabeth South).

• The Under 14 Squad, coached by Sid Goode with Laurie Earwood as manager, also toured to Sutherland shire, winning two matches and losing three. This squad consisted of Tony Goode, Robert Goode (Elizabeth Downs), Steve Griffiths (Elizabeth West), Joe Catterwell, Keith Earwood (Elizabeth North), Bill Doughty, Ray Halford (Elizabeth East), David Herbert, Robert Jones, John Buchan, Louis Hutchinson, J. Good (Elizabeth V ale), Garry Gray (Elizabeth South), John Eadsworth (Para Hills), Michael Powell (Elizabeth Grove), Peter Lucas (Elizabeth Park) and W. Potuzsynski (Salisbury).

• The Under 15 Squad, which enjoyed a successful tour to Melbourne, comprised Alan Lamb, John Newton (Elizabeth West), Fred Warner, Jeff Birch, Jeff Atterbury, Dave Sands, Pat Noble (Salisbury Centrals), Tony Worrall, Paul Moran (Elizabeth Vale), Barry Pyke, Terry Nottle (Elizabeth East), Alan Hanton (Elizabeth Downs), Jim Magee (Para Hills), John Spriggs (Elizabeth Grove) and Jim Connell (WRE).

In the first years of District Clubs soccer, Elizabeth Vale Club was the most successful in the league competitions, winning three leagues, the primary schools under 10’s and 12’s (South) and the Districts under 14’s. Elizabeth West Club was close behind winning the primary schools under 14 league whilst its Black team won the under 12 (North) league. In the play- off between the leading teams in the two under 12 leagues Elizabeth West was defeated by Elizabeth Vale to become the champion under 12 team. Another great performance was that of the Para Hills under 18 team that comfortably won its league in its first year of competition. The final league tables read as follows but unfortunately the goals records were not published:

Primary School

Under 10

Team	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	Points
Elizabeth Vale	16	13	2	1	28
Elizabeth Downs	16	11	4	1	26
Elizabeth West	16	10	2	4	22
Elizabeth Grove	16	8	3	5	19
Broadmeadows	16	6	5	5	17
Elizabeth South	16	7	3	6	17
Elizabeth Park	16	5	1	10	11
Elizabeth East	16	3	0	13	6
Brahma Lodge	16	0	0	16	0

Under 12 (South)

Team	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	Points
Elizabeth Vale	12	11	0	1	22
Elizabeth Grove Green	12	9	0	3	18
Elizabeth Grove Red	12	8	2	2	18
Para Hills	12	5	2	5	12
Salisbury	12	3	2	7	8
Salisbury North	12	2	2	8	6
Brahma Lodge	12	0	0	12	0

Under 12 (North)

Team	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	Points
Elizabeth West Black	10	9	1	0	19
Elizabeth North	10	7	1	2	15
Elizabeth Park	10	6	0	4	12
Elizabeth Downs	10	4	0	6	8
Elizabeth South	10	2	1	7	5
Elizabeth West White	10	0	1	9	1

Under 14

Team	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	Points
Elizabeth West	14	12	1	1	25
Elizabeth North	14	11	2	1	24
Elizabeth Grove	14	7	4	3	18
Elizabeth Vale	14	8	0	6	16
Elizabeth Downs	14	5	2	7	12
Elizabeth East	14	5	2	7	12
Broadmeadows	14	1	1	12	3
Salisbury North	14	1	0	13	2

Under 14

Team	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	Points
Elizabeth Vale	15	15	0	0	30
Salisbury Central	15	11	1	3	23
Para Hills	15	8	1	6	17
Elizabeth Grove	15	4	0	11	8
Elizabeth South	15	3	1	11	7
Elizabeth East	15	2	1	12	5

Under 15

Team	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	Points
Elizabeth Grove	14	13	1	0	27
Salisbury Central	14	12	1	1	25
Elizabeth East	14	7	2	5	16
Elizabeth Downs	14	8	0	6	16
Elizabeth West	14	5	1	8	11
Elizabeth North	14	3	3	8	9
Elizabeth South	14	2	1	11	5
Elizabeth Park	14	1	1	12	3

Under 18

Team	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	Points
Para Hills	15	12	1	2	25
Elizabeth Downs	15	8	3	4	19
Elizabeth Vale	15	9	1	5	19
Elizabeth Grove	15	6	2	7	14
Elizabeth South	15	4	0	11	8
Elizabeth North	15	1	3	11	5

Rounding off a very successful first year of complete age group competitions, the Challenge Cup Finals resulted as follows:

Primary School Teams

Age Group					Remarks
Under 10	Elizabeth Vale	1	Elzabeth South	0	After Extra Time
Under 12	Elizabeth Vale	3	Elzabeth West	1
Under 14	Elizabeth North	3	Elzabeth West	2

District Teams

Age Group					Remarks
Under 14	Elizabeth Vale	3	Elzabeth East	2
Under 15	Salisbury Central	8	Elzabeth East	1
Under 18	Elizabeth Vale	2	Para Hills	1

Referees appointed for the Cup Finals were as follows:

Primary Schools

• Under 10 - Cyril Coleman
• Under 12 - Ray Torry
• Under 14 - Len Wilmer

District Teams

• Under 14 - Ted Balcomb
• Under 15 - Fred Beck
• Under 18 - Tom Kelly

At the trophy presentations held immediately after the cup finals, Elizabeth South Club was awarded the first Sporting Club of the Year Trophy.