The history of Australian Rules Football in the Stirling area dates back to at least 1894. Over the years there have been a number of references to a number of teams, including Mount Lofty and Mount Lofty Parks, Stirling United, Stirling, Stirling West and Stirling East. However due to journalistic license Mount Lofty Parks and Mount Lofty, for example, are most likely the same team. Stirling and Stirling West are most likely the same team. Stirling United may have been the forerunner of Stirling and Stirling East was a team in its own right.
Records of football being played in the Stirling area date back to 1894. The South Australian Register, Tuesday 21 August 1894 reported:-
“MYLOR, August 17. Our little township boasts a strong football team, who has so far been successful in all its matches. Last Saturday it played the Mount Lofty fifteen. The game was very close and exciting, the result being:—Mylor, 1 goal 8 behinds: Mount Lofty, 1 goal 1 behind. Messrs. Cooper, Owen, and Evans played best for the local team. The match was witnessed by a large number of people, who evinced much enthusiasm in the play.”
On 7th September 1894 the Register reported:-
“A football match was played at Stirling East on Saturday between Mylor and Stirling. The Stirling goalkickers were C. Milford, C. Rose, and H. Byrne: and Mylor. F. Hutchison and Pryor. Besides those mentioned P. James. H. Radford, and J. Henderson played well for Stirling and G. Palmer and C. Cooper for Mylor. The result was— Stirling, 3 goals 3 behinds; Mylor, 2 goals 3 behinds.” (In 1894 all of the area now known as Stirling was called Stirling East. It is assumed that this match would have been played on what is now known as the Stirling Oval. Note that in the first article it was the “Mount Lofty Fifteen but the second article refers to Stirling).
It seems that these games were more like scratch matches as the Advertiser, reported on Thursday 9 May 1895 that a formalised club was proposed. “A meeting of football supporters was held at the Half-way House Hotel, Stirling West, on Tuesday evening, May 7. Dr. Stevens took the chair. It was decided to form a football club to be called the “Mount Lofty Football Club.” The following officers were elected:—Patron, Sir E. T. Smith; president, Dr. E. M. Steven; vice-presidents, Dr. J. H. Henderson and W. H. Milford, Esq., J.P.; secretary, Mr. D. Byrne, Stirling East; central umpire, Mr. Geo. Le Maistre.
The “oval” adjacent to the hotel was small and privately owned. Plans were afoot to develop an oval on the reserve where the Heathfield High School now stands. The land was held in trust by the District Council of Stirling. The South Australian Register, Thursday 3 October 1895 reported that a further meeting was held at the Halfway House, Stirling West, “…to elect a committee for the purpose of carrying out the necessary clearing and fencing of the new recreation grounds, about ten minutes walk from Mount Lofty Station. Dr Stevens presided. About five or six acres are to be cleared and fenced, and a good deal of free labour has been promised. The sum of £40 has been raised, and when £50 is in hand the work will be completed. The following were elected the committee : — Dr Stevens and Messrs W. H. Milford, W. Scott, C. Constable, E. Menzel, and J. B. Berry.” The ground became known as the Mount Lofty Recreation Ground colloquially known as “The Old Rec.” (The area known as Heathfield was not named until the mid 1920s). So a home ground was being developed.
Another football club was formed in May 1901. The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, Friday 24 May 1901 reported:-
“FOOTBALL.
“A club, the Stirling United, has been formed at Stirling, and the Bridgewater secretary (Mr. J. D. Neaylon) informs us that he will be pleased to hear from teams in the neighbouring districts.”
There is also a mystery about why it was called Stirling United Football Club but it is believed that the team included participants from a few of the local towns – hence uniting the towns.
In 2019 noted Country Football historian Peter Lines, in response to a query by Chris Chardon, offered the following about the early history of football in Stirling:-
“The Stirling football conundrum tends to only get more complicated the further that you delve into it. The Stirling United team that you mentioned as the first in 1919, I have checked back to 1901 and they were Stirling United from back then. In fact I have checked for the period 1901-1912 and they are exclusively referred to as Stirling United.
“Before association football began in the Hills in 1902, the teams that existed in the area played challenge and social matches. This would mean that a team such as Piccadilly which played in the early 1900s would challenge the Aldgate team. What would then happen say two weeks later Aldgate would play Crafers, and the Crafers team would bear an uncanny resemblance to the Piccadilly team with similar playing personal that Aldgate had played two weeks prior. The introduction of association football stopped teams from doing this allowing players to be registered and only play for one team, which is why a team like Piccadilly faded away.
“The Stirling team from 1919 shows a player representation covering a wide area and hence the title Stirling United. However as I have mentioned this title was in use as far back as 1901 before association football was introduced. One explanation could be that the title Stirling United could be a throw back to an English or Scottish football heritage.
“Teams that played against Stirling United in 1901 were Hahndorf, Oakbank, Mount Barker, Aldgate/Mylor (combined team) and Mylor on their own. They also played matches during the year against several Adelaide clubs. They applied to join the Hills FA in 1902 but the members voted against doing so, they eventually joined in 1904. They decide to leave the Hills FA in 1907 and did not play association football again until 1919.
“From 1909 it gets increasingly more difficult to find the results of Stirling United games until around 1912-1913 no mention at all. However I did find that a team called Mount Lofty Park played 17 matches, winning 15 and losing 2 in 1913. Maybe Stirling United had become Mount Lofty Park ?, a quite plausible theory until finding a score Mount Lofty Park 7-10 defeated Stirling United 2-8. In 1914 there is a little on Mount Lofty Park and nothing on Stirling United but there was only a small amount of football played in 1914 due to increasing enlistments.
“Mike Milton, who’s work I respect greatly mentioned a Stirling West team playing in the Mount Lofty association in 1928. My research taken from a 1928 Mount Lofty FA premiership table only reveals Uraidla, Stirling, Fifth Creek, Carey’s Gully, Ashton and Crafers. Mike also mentions a Stirling East participating in Hills Central FA in 1923. What I found in the Register 26-4-1923 is a listing of the inaugural teams as Kangarilla, Meadows, Scott’s Creek, Mount Barker (seconds), Stirling (seconds) and Echunga.”
There was no organised competition or association and thus no premierships. Mount Lofty and Stirling United would organise games against teams from other towns and occasionally against teams and business houses from the metropolitan area.
It is unclear which teams the Mount Lofty Parks team played as the team seemed never to be represented at association meetings or desire to be part of the association. In the Advertiser, Adelaide, Saturday 15 March 1913 the following advertisement appeared:-
“MOUNT LOFTY PARKS FOOTBALL CLUB
“NOTICE – The above Club is prepared to accept engagements for coming season from any of the Suburban or City Clubs. All challenges to be sent to Percy Hart, Hon. Secretary, Phone 156, Stirling.”
Stirling United, in its first season, was quite active. The Register, Adelaide, Wednesday 3 July 1901 reported:-
“Stirling East, July 1.— On Saturday afternoon the Mount Barker team of footballers met the Stirling United team on the Mount Lofty Oval. The visitors secured 7 goals and 13 points against 4 points by the home team. The goals were kicked by F. Rawson 1, E. Cameron 2, W. G. Ross 1, J. Wren 2, F. Bennett 1.” and the Evening Journal, Adelaide, Thursday 27 June 1901 reported:-
“Stirling East, June 25.—A football match between College Town and Stirling United was played on the oval on Saturday afternoon. The visitors secured an easy win, scoring 6 goals 12 behinds against 2 behinds.”
From The Advertiser Wednesday 4 September 1901:-
“ALDGATE, September 3.
“A football match between the Sturt Ramblers and Stirling United Football Clubs was played on the Mount Lofty Oval on Monday, The scores were:-Stirling United, 3 goals and 6 behinds; Ramblers, 2 behinds. Mr. S. Dunstan acted as umpire.
Stirling United played Hahndorf on several occasions in 1901.
In 1902 there was a move to create a football association. The Chronicle, Adelaide, Saturday 1 March 1902 reported:-
“A meeting of representatives of the Stirling United, Hahndorf, Littlehampton, Lobethal, Mount Barker, Woodside, and Strathalbyn football clubs was held in Mr. Adams’s hotel on Saturday evening last. The business to be considered was the formation of a football association for this district. Nothing of a definite character, however, was done, because the Stirling United Club did not see its way to falling in with the proposal.”
The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser Friday 21 March 1902 announced the formation of the association:-
“FOOTBALL.
“The Hills Association. —A meeting of delegates from the Mount Barker, Strathalbyn, Hahndorf, Oakbank, Woodside, and Mylor Football Clubs was held at the Golden Cross Hotel, Balhannah, on Tuesday evening, when it was unanimously decided to form “The Hills Football Association.” Messrs. Williams and Pike of Oakbank, were elected secretary and treasurer respectively. The rules of the South Australian Football Association, slightly modified, were accepted, and a series of matches will be commenced on Saturday, May 3. The Strathalbyn Club, considering itself too far removed from the centre of operations, has decided not to join the association.”
Note that Stirling United or Mount Lofty were not involved in an association from the start.
The Advertiser, Adelaide, Saturday 1 March 1902 reported:-
“A. H. Rudd,” Bridgewater (hon, secretary Stirling United Football Club), writes in reference to the report of a football meeting at Stirling West, at which it was stated there were present representatives of the Hahndorf, Littlehampton, Lobethal, Mount Barker, Woodside, and Strathalbyn clubs. Our correspondent says:-“The facts are simply these – On Saturday last a meeting of the Stirling United F.C. was held to consider the advisability of an association of the clubs mentioned. A vote was taken, and the majority were against the proposal.”
It is not known why Stirling United did not want to be part of the Association but their results when they joined the Association were poor and forfeited some games due to lack of numbers. Perhaps the members of the Stirling United Club felt that the competition would be too strong.
In 1902 Stirling United played teams such as Hahndorf, Mount Barker Seconds, Adelaide Pirates, Adelaide United, College Town, Victoria Ramblers. Records of which teams Mount Lofty Parks team played (if they were playing) up to 1912 have not been seen.
For the 1903 season Stirling United again did not join an association and played scratch type challenge matches against teams such as East Torrens and Semaphore Central. However in 1904, the third season of the Hills Football Association, Stirling sought to join and the Association was keen to have Stirling involved. This may have been due to Mylor’s poor form in 1903 when it failed to win a game, lost five and forfeited eleven. Mylor did not participate in the Hills Football Association in 1904. The season’s program had to be redrawn when the Nairne Football Club’s late application to join was acceded to. The Association consisted of the Mount Barker, Onkaparinga, Hahndorf, Meadows, Nairne and Stirling United clubs.
Six teams were to contest the 1904 season which would consist of ten home and away games. The season was to commence on May7. The season was not a happy one for Stirling – the last two games had to be forfeited yet the team was playing scratch matches at the time. They played teams such as Saint Bartholomew Football Club, South Australian Scottish Rifle Corps and East Torrens. Stirling won one association game for the season defeating Nairne at the Mount Lofty oval on July 2nd 7 goals 4 behinds (46 points); Nairne, 6 behinds (6 points). The team lost seven.
Stirling United again took part in the 1905 season but had limited success and some drubbings at the strong clubs like Mount Barker and Hahndorf.
For the 1906 season seven teams were affiliated with the Hills Football Association. The teams were Hahndorf, Meadows. Mount Barker, Mylor, Onkaparinga Stirling United, and Strathalbyn. Strathalbyn had nominated for the first time creating a problem. At an association meeting held on 20th March 1906 “The constitution was re-adopted, but a few alterations were made in the rules, chiefly with regard to colors, counting of points in event of ties, and playing of members of other clubs. The Strathalbyn club was given its old colors (red-and-white) with a distinctive badge when meeting Stirling United, who have the same colors” – two teams with the same colours – perhaps the jumpers were of very different design.
Interestingly reports in The Express and Telegraph, Adelaide, Tuesday 5 June 1906 revealed that Stirling United had played Coromandel and The Advertiser, Wednesday 4 July 1906 reported that “A football match was played at the Mount Lofty Oval on Saturday afternoon between Summertown and Stirling United. Scores:-Stirling United, 10 goals 18 behinds; Summertown, 2 goals 4 behinds.” Both of Stirling United’s competitors were not contestants in the Association of that year.
The Advertiser, Adelaide, Wednesday 17 April 1907 reported:-
“ALDGATE, April 16—The annual meeting of the Stirling United Football Club was held at Aldgate on Monday evening, when Mr. F. J. George presided. It was resolved not to join an association this year. The following officers for the ensuing year were elected:—Patron, Dr. Wigg, president, Mr. F. J. George: captain. Mr. S. E. Hepworth; vice-captain, Mr. W. MacFarlane: secretary and treasurer, Mr. L. J. Milford; committee, captain, vice-captain, secretary, and Messrs. R. Mortimer and T. Mullin.” No reason for deciding not join the association was given. It is noted that many of the club’s meetings were held in Aldgate.
Some of the teams Stirling United played in 1907 included Houghton, Mylor, Uraidla, School of Mines, Lower North Adelaide, North Adelaide Baptist, Coromandel,
It seems that in 1908 Stirling United again decided not to play in a football association competition. The team continued to play challenge matches with some games against teams that were playing in the Hills Football Association.
An example of some of Stirling’s unusual competitors appeared in the Chronicle, Adelaide, Saturday 30 May 1908:-
“ALDGATE, May 25.— A football match was played on the Mount Lofty Oval on Saturday afternoon between the Stirling United and Harris, Scarfe, & Co.’s clubs which resulted in a win for the former. Scores-Stirling United, 4 goals 20 behinds; Harris, Scarfe & Co. 1 goal 5 behinds.”
Season 1908 saw a dramatic improvement in Stirling United’s form. The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, Friday 12 June 1908 reported:-
“FOOTBALL.
“MOUNT BARKER v. STIRLING.
“These clubs met on the Mount Lofty Oval on Saturday afternoon. The Stirlings in 21 matches had not been beaten, and the Mounts were bent on lowering their rivals’ standard. Unfortunately, several of the best of the players from here could not make the trip, and even with emergencies the Mounts had to take the field with only 17 players. The game was very keenly contested, and at the end Stirling was in the lead by two points (3.6 against 3.4).” but the string of wins soon came to an end:- The Advertiser, Adelaide, Friday 3 July 1908:-
“ALDGATE, July 1.-The Stirling United footballers sustained their first defeat for some considerable time on Saturday afternoon, when a match was played on the Mount Lofty Oval against the Saint Bartholomew Club. The final scores were-Saint Bartholomew, 3 goals 10 behinds (28 points); Stirling united, 3 goals 2 behinds (20 points).”
The Chronicle, Adelaide, Saturday 27 March1909 reported on the club’s Annual General Meeting:-
“ALDGATE, March 19.-The annual meeting of the Stirling United Football Club was held on Thursday evening. There was a large attendance. It was decided not to join the Hills Football Association this year. Officers elected: — President, Mr. F. J. George; captain. Mr. L. Bawden; vice-captain, Mr. W. McFarlane; secretary and treasurer, Mr. L. J. Milford; general committee, the president, captain, vice-captain, secretary, and Messrs. S. Carthew, H. Garrod, R. Bawden, A. H. Rudd, M. O’Brien, and E. Brown; selection committee, captain, vice-captain, Messrs. S. Carthew, H. Carthew, and R. Bawden.” The names of the officials and committee are names that can be associated with various parts of the Stirling district and perhaps give weight to the team being called “United”.
Season 1909 saw for the first time reports of a Stirling II team:-
Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, Friday 18 June 1909:-
“BRIDGEWATER v. STIRLING II.
The match between the above teams, on the ground of the former, was won by Bridgewater, who scored 23 points against 7. (More about Stirling II later).
It seems that in 1910 Stirling United again remained out of the association competition. The following advertisement appeared in The Express and Telegraph, Adelaide, on Friday 1 April 1910:-
“STIRLING United Football Club wish to arrange Matches for coming season.—F. Last. Secretary. Stirling West.
There were no newspaper reports of Stirling United for the 1910 season but Stirling II was again mentioned:-
Daily Herald, Adelaide, Tuesday 2 August 1910:-
“FOOTBALL.
“A football match was played on the Summertown ground on Saturday, Summertown v. Stirling II. Summertown, 5 goals 6 behinds (36 points); Stirling II, 2 goals 7 behinds (19 points). Goalkickers for Summertown—Kellett (3), Willsmore and Trenorden (1 each).”
Information about Stirling United’s 1911 season is scant but the little bit that there is suggests that the team remained out of the association. However there was more mentions about the Stirling II club:-
The Advertiser, Adelaide, Tuesday 4 April 1911:-
“The annual meeting of the Stirling East (late Stirling II.) Football Club was held at Mrs. A. M. Wright’s store on March 24. The balance-sheet showed a small credit. The offices elected were: President, Mr. E. Wakefield; treasurer, Mr. P. Hart; secretary, Mr. R. D. Wright; committee, officers and Messrs. E. W. Wakefield (captain), B. Scott (vice-captain), and A. Halliday. Teams desiring engagements should apply to the secretary, Mr. R. D. Wright, Stirling West.” So in 1911 Stirling East Football Club was formed from Stirling II.
Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, Friday 1 September 1911:-
“URAIDLA v. STIRLING II.
“The former team journeyed to Stirling on Saturday last, and after a good game secured a win. Scores Uraidla, 11.11, Stirling II, 3.6. The goal-kickers for the winners were—A. Badenoch (5), L. Bishop (3), S. Dyer- (3). and those who showed out well were J. Fulston, A. Christian, C. Jarrett and W. Nicols.” (Note even though Stirling II changed its name at the beginning of the season to Stirling East it was still referred to in this report as Stirling II).again Stirling II was referred to.
It is unknown why the newspapers were not reporting on Stirling United games?
Again, in 1912, there was a paucity of newspaper comment about Stirling United other than the mention of an end of year function:-
The Advertiser, Adelaide, Thursday 24 October 1912
“STIRLING WEST, October 21—A social in connection with the Stirling United Football Club was held in the institute on Friday evening. There was a good attendance. Songs were rendered by Mrs Williams, recitation by Mr S. Rogers and sailor’s hornpipe was, danced by Mr. J Smith. Dancing followed, Mr. S. Rogers acting as M. C. The music was supplied by Mr W. Parsons.”
There was a confusing article in The Express and Telegraph, Adelaide, Thursday 19 September 1912. It stated:_
“The third annual picnic in connection with Sharples Bros. printing establishment will be held on Saturday at Mount Lofty. During the afternoon the employes of the firm will play a football match against the Stirling West Football Club.” It is presumed that the journalist meant to write Stirling?
Again in 1913 there were no Stirling United match reports.
However it was reported in The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, Friday 4 April 1913:-
“It is rumoured that the Stirling West Football Club will seek affiliation with the Hills Association. Both Woodside and Hills Central have dropped out.” (It is presumed that the team would have been Stirling United and that the journalist had the wrong team named). What ever no Stirling team nominated and the Hills Football Association consisted of only three teams – Mount Barker, Onkaparinga and Strathalbyn.
In undertaking research and understanding the structure of Hills football of over 100 years ago one had wondered whether Mount Lofty Parks and Stirling United were the same team or separate entities – they shared the Mount Lofty Recreation ground. However an article in The Advertiser, Adelaide, Wednesday 2 July 1913 removed all doubt:-
“The Mount Lofty Parks met Stirling United at Mount Lofty on Saturday. Scores– Stirling United 2 goals 8 behinds, Mount Lofty. 7 goals 10 behinds. Mount Lofty has played nine different clubs, and has won each contest. Their aggregate points for the season are 465 points, as against 167 points scored by opposing teams”.
There were no Stirling United newspaper articles in 1914 yet there was a couple about Mount Lofty Parks.
The Hills Football Association had only three teams again in 1915 and in early August the season was called off due to the number of men enrolling to go to war. There was no newspaper mention of Stirling United and it is reasonable to assume the club went into abeyance for the duration of the war. There was an article about Mount Lofty Parks playing Summertown in May.
From 1916 to 1918 there was no organised football competition in the Hills and all clubs went into recess.
The Observer, Adelaide, Saturday 19 April 1919 reported:-
HILLS ASSOCIATION.
WOODSIDE, April 12.—Since 1915 there has been no football association in the hills, but it has now been decided to reform that body. Everything points to a successful season. Delegates attended the annual meeting from Strathalbyn, Mount Barker, Stirling, Woodside, and Onkaparinga.
Stirling (it seems that the appendage United has been dropped) finished minor premiers of the reformed football association but lost in the finals. The following newspaper articles explain the system:-
Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, Friday 22 August 1919:—
“HILLS ASSOCIATION.
“The position of clubs in the Association has now reached an interesting stage for the premiership round. The first and third teams (Stirling and Onkaparinga) will meet at Strathalbyn to-morrow, and on the following Saturday, August 30, the second and fourth (Mount Barker and Strathalbyn) play at Balhannah. As Stirling are minor premiers, they will have a big say in the play-off for the premiership. Even if they are beaten in this round they still have the right to challenge the winners for a deciding game. September 6 is set down for the premiership game to be played off, and a deciding match on the following Saturday if necessary.
Register, Adelaide, Tuesday 16 September 1919
“FOOTBALL.
“HILLS ASSOCIATION. STRATHALBYN, September 15.— The Strathalbyn and Stirling teams met at Woodside on Saturday in the play-off for the premiership of the Hills Association. There was a fair number of spectators notwithstanding the prevailing wet and cold weather. Heavy showers fell soon after the match had been begun, and soon part of the ground was under water. The game was evenly contested, and at half-time both teams were level, the scores being 1 goal 5 behinds each. Owing to the wet nature of the ground, it was then decided to cease play, declare the match a draw, and to play off at a future date. Mr. W. T. Abernethy, of Adelaide, had charge of the game. The deciding match will probably take place at Mount Barker on September 27, when a keen contest should result
Register, Adelaide, Tuesday 30 September 1919
“HILLS ASSOCIATION.
“STRATHALBYN, September 29.—The play off for the premiership of the Hills Association took place at Mount Barker on Saturday, when the Strathalbyn team met and defeated the Stirlings (minor premiers) by 9 points. The weather conditions were ideal, and there was a large number of spectators. About 1.300 people gathered to wit-ness the contest. The game was fast and ex-citing from tie start, and maintained a sur-prising degree of evenness. In the first quarter the scores were 1 behind each; at half-time “Straths” were 2 goals 3 behinds to Stirling’s 2 goals 2 behinds. For a time in the third quarter Stirlings had a lead of a few points, but Strathalbyn reduced this, and at “lemons'” were 4 points ahead—3 goals 4 behinds to 2 goals 7 behinds. In the last quarter Strathalbyn were slightly superior, and increased their lead. When the bell rang the scores were:—Strathalbyn, 5 goals 7 behinds; Stirling. 3 goals 10 behinds. The winners were best represented by Bell, Finey, Brown, and Thredgold. For the losers, Scott (2), Farrent, and Jones were most prominent Mr. W. T. Abernethy, of Adelaide, had charge of the game.
There was no information indicating that the Mount Lofty Parks club reformed after the war.
The Register, Adelaide, Monday 3 May 1920 reported:-
“THE HILLS ASSOCIATION.
MOUNT BARKER, April 30.—
“The Hills Association this year promises to record another good season. The teams competing for the premiership will be Woodside, Stirling; Onkaparinga, Strathalbyn, and Mount Barker.”
1920 was not a successful year for Stirling. The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, Friday 24 September 1920 commented:-
“Followers of the game in the hills will sympathise with the Stirling Club in not finding a place in the semi-finals this season. The reason is not hard to find, for they have literally had their eyes picked out by such players as the Scotts going to the city league clubs. It has been a hard battle for the club without them. While it is hard for the club to lose good players it is an honour for them to be chosen to play in league games.”
The Mount Lofty Football Association was formed.
In 1921 a separate football association was formed. The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, 13 May 1921
“MOUNT LOFTY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.
“After a number of well attended meetings of delegates at Uraidla, an Association was formed and called The Mount Lofty Football Association, representing the following eight clubs:—Ashton, Aldgate, Forest Road, Forest Range, Stirling, Summertown, Uraidla and Upper Sturt. It is quite apparent this year that football is becoming more popular in the Hills than ever by the very fact that ten teams applied for admission in this Association, and the Committee, deciding that eight teams being sufficient, unfortunately two teams, namely, Crafers and Scots Creek, had to stand down. As a number of the prominent players now playing in League matches originate from these clubs, no doubt there will be a few more un-earthed at the end of the season from this Association.”
The desire for another association is unknown to this author but the response of clubs wanting to join indicates that there was something desirable in having a new association. The Hills Football Association continued to function but with very few teams.
Stirling United won its and the new association’s first premiership:-
Daily Herald, Adelaide, Thursday 8 September 1921
“COUNTRY FOOTBALL
“MOUNT LOFTY ASSOCIATION,
“The final match of the Mount Lofty Association was played on the Uraidla ground on Saturday when Summertown, the minor premiers, met Stirling. The game was evenly contested throughout, although in the first and third quarters Stirling made better use of their chances of scoring. The second and fourth quarters were in favour of Summertown. The final scores were —Stirling, 7 goals 9 behinds; Summertown, 4 goals 8 behinds. The most conspicuous player on the ground was J. Liebelt, who followed all four quarters for Summertown. Other players who showed out prominently were Read, Howard, and Macfarlane for Stirling, and Percival, Fuller, and Koehn for Summertown. The game was in charge of Umpire Bugg, whose exhibition was not up to his usual standard.”
Jumper Design and Colours
Post war Stirling’s jumper colours were recorded as red white and blue. However it was noted in the Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser in 1901 and 1906that Stirling United’s colours were red and white. In the premiership photograph of 1921 below and the 1913 photograph of the Mount Lofty Parks Football team the players jumpers look of a very similar design and possibly same colour.
It seems that Mount Lofty Parks Football team did not re-establish after World War I. Did Stirling United, change its red and white and took over Mount Lofty’s jumper design? Were the Mount Lofty jumpers of superior quality? Was there another team in the new association wearing the red and white? Presumably some of the pre war Mount Lofty players would return from war and want to play football. Did they join Stirling and bring their jumper design with them? Pre war Stirling United never competed in a Grand Final but post the war was they competed in seven consecutive Grand Finals (1919 – 1926) winning five – did former Mount Lofty players bolster the Stirling team?. Post war Stirling had stopped using the United tag and played as Stirling or was an entirely new club formed.
In the photographs below, that of the Stirling Football Club of 1921 and the Mount Lofty Parks 1913 team, note how similar (if not identical) the teams jumpers were.
1922 saw Stirling win its second premiership:
The Advertiser, Adelaide, Tuesday 19 September 1922
“MOUNT LOFTY ASSOCIATION
“The premiership match of the Mount Lofty Association was played at Uraidla on Saturday between Stirling, minor premiers, and premiers 1921. and Uraidla. There was a large crowd present, with an exciting and evenly contested game. Scores:—First quarter—Stirling 2 behinds, Uraidla 2 goals: second quarter— Stirling 1 goal 3 behinds, Uraidla 3 goals 3 behinds; third quarter— Stirling 3 goals 7 behinds. Uraidla 3 goals 4 behinds; final — Stirling 4 goals 12 behinds. Uraidla 3 goals 4 behinds. Best players: — Stirling—P. Leatch, (best on the ground), V Yeates, V. Golding. L. Carroll, and L. Chaplin. Uraidla — E. Collins, W. Oliver. W. Nicolls, B. Lang, and Willsmore. Goalkickers:— Stirling— G. Read. L. Carroll. V. Golding and C. Zachariah: Uraidla — E. Collins, J. Daniels and Crammond. Mr. Bailey gave general satisfaction as central umpire.”
In his book South Australian Country Football Digest. Volume 1 Peter Lines noted that there was a team using the Stirling West title which entered the Mounty Lofty Football Association in place of the Stirling Football Club in 1933. Stirling resumed their place in the competition at the expense of Stirling West in 1934. This is possibly the same club as the district was known as Stirling or Stirling West. The following is an example of how the two township names are used by different people. The first newspaper photograph shows as the Stirling West football team whereas the next photograph is the 1928 official premiership photograph showing Stirling Team Premiers – there probably was never a club named Stirling West.
The following table, with thanks to Peter Lines, lists all of the Grand Finals Stirling played in and the Premierships the teams won. The Advertiser, Adelaide, on Saturday 21 September 1929 reported that at a function in the Stirling District Hall the premiership shield was presented to the captain of the Stirling Football Club (Mr. P. Cooper). A match report and scores have not been seen:-
| 1919: Strathalbyn 5 -7 def. Stirling 3-10 | 1948: Mount Barker 17-16 def. Stirling 15-8 |
| 1921: Stirling 7-9 def Summertown 4-8 | 1950: Stirling 10-16 def. Ashton 10-10 |
| 1922: Stirling 4-12 def. Uraidla 3-4 | 1952: Stirling 16-9 def. Uraidla 11-5 |
| 1923: Uraidla 5-21 def. Stirling 3-2 | 1953 Stirling 10-17 def. Uraidla 8-14 |
| 1924: Stirling 10-13 def. Uraidla 9-14 | 1954: Stirling 14-22 def. Uraidla 12-14 |
| 1925: Stirling 14-18 def. Uraidla 1-8 | 1955: Stirling 15-22 def. Onkaparinga 3-11 |
| 1926: Stirling 9-7 def. Uraidla 5-11 | 1956: Uraidla 8-12 def. Stirling 7-8 |
| 1927: Stirling 6-12 def. Uraidla 5-11 | 1957: Stirling 10-17 def. Uraidla 9-8 |
| 1928 Stirling def. ? | 1960: Stirling 15-6 def. Uraidla 9-8 |
| 1929: Stirling def. ? | 1963: Uraidla 16-14 def. Stirling 11-7 |
| 1930: Uraidla 9-15 def. Stirling 4-8 | 1965: Birdwood 15-10 def. Stirling 14-10 |
| 1934: Stirling 10-12 def. Uraidla 7-9 | 1969: Mount Barker 15-13 def. Stirling 8-10 |
| 1946: Stirling 18-18 def. Mount Barker16-12 | 1972: Heathfield Aldgate 18-22 def. Stirling 12-5 |
| 1947: Stirling 14-10 def. Mount Barker13-14 | 1973: Heathfield Aldgate 15-24 def. Stirling 10-10 |
From 1904 until 1920 (excluding the war years) Stirling United played in the Hills Football Association
From 1921 until 1938 Stirling played in the Mount Lofty Football Association.
From 1946 until 1961 Stirling played in the Hills Football Association.
From 1962 until 1966 Stirling played in the Hills Football Association Central Zone
From 1967 until 1978 Stirling played in Hills football League Division 1 Competition.
Stirling Oval
Until 1936 the land where the Stirling oval is was privately owned by the adjacent hoteliers, J. & A. G. Johnston. Prior to 1936 the oval, which would have been a very small ground, was used for various community events. In 1935 the Johnstons agreed to donate the land for the oval in trust to the District Council of Stirling. In January 1936 (South Australia’s Centenary year) the trust deed was drawn up and signed. In 1935 and 1936 considerable work was undertaken by community effort to build the steps and mounds and to enlarge the playing surface. It is understood that once complete the oval became the Stirling Football Club’s home ground.
Those who can remember the Stirling Football Club will recall that the team’s colours were blue and gold. Prior to the Second World War Stirling played in the Mount Lofty Football Association (Frank Chardon was Chairman of the Association). The team’s colours were then red, white and blue. There was no organised football in the Hills during the war but Peter Radford organised scratch matches in the later part of the war. Transport to matches was provided by Lou Coventry’s truck. Players wore whatever jumper they could lay their hands on. A number was roughly sewn on the back.
In 1946 the Hills Football Association was formed and a meeting at Stirling, in late February 1946, reformed the Stirling Football Club. But due to post war scarcities the Club could not acquire the red, white and blue jumpers. Royl Chardon admired Bob Hank the champion footballer who played for West Torrens. That team’s colours were blue and gold. The Stirling Club decided to adopt those colours and a set of jumpers were found in Melbourne. The jumpers were blue with a gold sash.
All premierships provide a feeling of elation, satisfaction and achievement but arguably Stirling’s most satisfying premiership win was in 1946. This was the first post World War II season of Hills football.
The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, Thursday 19 September 1946 filed the following report on the Grand Final:-
“OVER 2000 WITNESS STIRLING STAGE MAGNIFICENT LAST QUARTER” ran the headline and it went on to say that a gate taking of £85 had made the total for all finals matches £240!
“Spectators at the Grand Final of the Hills Association were treated to a game of mixed fortunes and a thrilling finish when Mt. Barker after taking a five goal lead in the last quarter were beaten by a paralysing last winning run by Stirling who put on nine goals.”
“Conditions other than a muddy ground were ideal for football and a carnival atmosphere prevailed assisted by the Hahndorf Band and Kavanagh’s amplification unit.”
“Stirling’s 1946 captain-coach Royl Chardon recalled that at three quarter time many of the Mt. Barker supporters left the ground to prepare for victory celebrations. Such action proved presumptuous as at the end of play Stirling had almost doubled its quarter time score to win by 18 points.
STIRLING: 18 goals 18 behinds (126 points)
MT. BARKER: 16 goals 12 behinds (108 points)
Best players: Stirling: L. Leatch, B. Leatch, G. Stevens, L. Atkinson, J. Hampton, M. O’Malley, R. Chardon and T. Bowes. Goalkickers: L. Leatch (6), B. Leatch (3), W. Atkinson (3), T. Bowes (2), J. Weise, R. Woods, J. Hampton and R. Chaplin (1)
The period from 1946 tom 1973 saw Stirling compete in 16 Grand Finals, winning 9. During the 1950s Stirling’s arch rival was Uraidla having played them 8 times winning 6. Stirling’s last two Grand Final appearances were in 1972 and 1973 losing both to Heathfield Aldgate.
In 1955 the Heathfield Football Club was formed by a breakaway movement from the Stirling Football Club. Stirling was a strong club winning many premierships in the 1950s. Footballers who had the ability to play “A” grade football were not “getting a game”. Footballers from Aldgate also joined the Heathfield Club. In 1966 Aldgate and Heathfield Football Clubs amalgamated to form the Heathfield Aldgate United Football Club.
In 1978 the Stirling and Heathfield Aldgate United Football Clubs amalgamated to form the Mount Lofty District Football Club. The prime reason for the amalgamation was to enter the club into the SAFA (South Australian Football Association) competition. This decision, to unite arch enemies on the football field into a new Club, was bold. Many of the seasoned Stirling players and supporters did not support the new Club.
Stirling II – Stirling East Team – “The Backroaders”
As mentioned earlier, season 1909 saw for the first time reports of a Stirling II team:-
Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, Friday 18 June 1909:-
“BRIDGEWATER v. STIRLING II.
“The match between the above teams, on the ground of the former, was won by Bridgewater, who scored 23 points against 7. There was a large attendance of spectators, who appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Each team had the best eighteen that could be mustered, and the game was very evenly contested throughout. The best players for Bridgewater were Kain (3), A. H. Rudd, Woodgate, Baldwin, and S. Chaplin and for Stirling II Wakefield (2), Last, Prior. Stoddard, Halliday, and G. Milford.”
The Advertiser, Adelaide, Tuesday 4 April 1911:-
“The annual meeting of the Stirling East (late Stirling II.) Football Club was held at Mrs. A. M. Wright’s store on March 24. The balance-sheet showed a small credit. The officers elected were: President, Mr. E. Wakefield; treasurer, Mr. P. Hart; secretary, Mr. R. D. Wright; committee, officers and Messrs. E. W. Wakefield (captain), B. Scott (vice-captain), and A. Halliday. Teams desiring engagements should apply to the secretary, Mr. R. D. Wright, Stirling West.” So in 1911 Stirling East Football Club was formed from Stirling II. Colloquially the team became known as “The Backroaders”.
“Backroaders” Football Jumper
Stirling East Football Club’s home ground was an oval near the corner of Old Mount Barker Road and Wright Road, Stirling East – opposite a set of old stables that exist today.
It is understood that the Stirling East Football Club did not reform for the 1928 season and may have been absorbed by the Stirling Football Club.
Stirling B Team
There have been newspaper articles and historian conjecture concerning a Stirling B team. The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, Friday 31 May 1935 noted the existence of the Stirling B team (it is unclear as to whether this was a separate club, the second team of Stirling or a reincarnation of the Stirling East club):-
“Crafers B v. Stirling B
“Crafers, by scoring 6 goals 12 behinds, secured a win over the Stirling lads, who were only able to manage 4 goals 6 behinds. The game was fairly evenly contested throughout,
The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser edition dated Friday 17 May 1935 noted:-
“Stirling B v. Tweedvale B (Lobethal).
The B grade football team defeated Stirling B at Stirling by 12 goals 12 behinds to 5 goals 7 behinds. Tweedvale’s goal-kickers were:—C. Green (3), J. Green, W. Mason, L. Mieglich, W. Forester (2 each), H. Jackson (1). Mr. Murphy was the central umpire and gave satisfaction.
There was several other match reports in 1935 concerning the involvement of the Stirling B team. It is unknown where the Stirling B teams home ground was located.
CHRIS CHARDON
August 2022
E.&O.E.
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