Moyhu FC - Timeline
- 1891 - 1903: Played games against other local rural towns, but no formal competition.
- 1904 - 1906: Ovens & King FA
- 1907: Club in recess
- 1908: Applied for readmission into O&K, but unsuccessful
- 1909 - 1914: Ovens & King FA
- 1915 - 1918: Ovens & King FA in recess. World War One.
- 1919 - 1922: Ovens & King FA
- 1923 - 1924: Wangaratta Football Association
- 1925: King Valley FA
- 1926: Ovens & King FA
- 1927: O&KFA. Moyhu FC disband after Rd.4
- 1928 - 1941: Ovens & King FA
- 1942 - 1944: O&KFA in recess. World War Two.
- 1945 - 2019: Ovens & King FL (74 continuous years)
- 2020: Ovens & King FL in recess. Covid 19.
- 2021 - 2023: Ovens & King FL
Moyhu NC - Timeline
1956 - 2006 - Ovens & King Netball Association
2007 - 2023 - Ovens & King Football / Netball League
Town History The name Moyhu seems to have originated with the Byrne family who in 1859 were one of the earliest landowners in the area and had emigrated from a town in Ireland named Moihu (pronounced Moyhu). Records then show that in 1866 a catholic parish priest at Wangaratta applied for aid from the Education Board for a school at Moihu. By 1868 it appears that Moyhu was the accepted spelling as the Post Office was opened on 1st January 1868 under this name. Moyhu FNC History
The first documented match of the Moyhu Football Club was in 1891 against Degamero and after that, Moyhu played many friendly matches against other local rural towns before joining the Ovens and KIng Football League (O&KFL) in 1904, winning a premiership in its first year.
Moyhu was the first club to win triple premierships, when in 1909, 1910 and 1911 it was so successful. Only Glenrowan (four in a row), Greta, Beechworth and Milawa have managed this extraordinary feat in over 100 years of O&K football.
Not only on the field has the club been outstanding in the O&KFL. The club provided three league presidents since the 1950's, the first being Jack Jennings, then George Costigan and finally David Evans.
But the most outstanding, the Baker family had an unbroken record of service in the position of league secretary from 1934 when Clyde Baker first won the ballot for the job, followed by his son, Fred, who took over in 1973 and held that position until 2004. It is possible that this is a record for any league playing Australian Rules football.
Moyhu did not play in the O&KFL in 1907, but did apply for readmission in 1908, but was knocked back by O&KFL club delegates, but then were accepted back in and rejoined the O&KFL in 1909.
Perhaps the first great Moyhu side was the triple premiership teams from 1909 to 1911.
It was captained by Tom Simmonds, and well known Moyhu families represented in the team included Byrne's, Corker's, Evans' and Simmonds familes, among others.
As old photgraphs show, the uniforms were not quite so standard in those days, but the club colours were initially blue and gold.
That same side was runners up to Beechworth in 1912 and 1913.
Moyhu FC Reserves side "Moyhu Rovers" played in the King Valley Football Association in 1922. In 1922, Greta: 2.9 - 21 defeated Moyhu Rovers: 2.4 - 16 in the preliminary final, then in 1925, Moyhu Seniors: 5.13 - 43 defeated Myrrhee: 5.3 - 33 in the grand final.
In 1927, Moyhu unfortunately disbanded after round four, after quite a few players left the district, but returned to play in the O&KFL in 1928.
Moyhu was quick to rebound, winning double premierships in 1929 and 1930, and a second double of 1933 and 1934.
The sides of the early thirties were notable for the fact that seven members of the Johnson family, all but one being the son of Ted Johnson, played for Moyhu. Brothers, Binnie, Jack, Allan, Percy, Jim, Terry and cousin Eric and were known by their nicknames of Poss, Spot, Skin and so on.
This team at the conclusion of the season, played and defeated Ovens and Murray sides, Wangaratta and Benalla.
The team was certainly in the present colours of green and gold in the 1930's and had a club song to the tune of "La Maraeillas".
The O&KFL went into recess from 1942 until 1944 and in one match in 1945, Moyhu defeated the Wangaratta Rovers 16.18 - 114 to 0.8 - 8.
However, its next premiership was in 1947, when with the four settled, Moyhu was in fifth position and Myrtleford on top of the ladder.
Myrtleford had played an unregistered player and were docked points for the five matches where indiscretions occurred.
Moyhu battled its way into the grand final and defeated Milawa by a five points at the picturesque Whorouly ground.
The side was coached by Ben Ward, who had captained / coached the club in the late 1920's and 1930's and the 1947 side included local families as the Sampson's, Dalton's, Byrne's and Des Murray, who acted as scorer and timekeeper for the club for many years. The side also included two players who made the Melbourne League. Captain John "Mick" Dalton had played with Melbourne in 1943 and Ivor Wightman who played with North Melbourne Reserves.
In the 1950's again the club had a "down" period and in 1955, in one game against Chiltern didn't score at all.
In 1953, Moyhu appointed former Corowa, South Melbourne Reserves and Wangaratta player, Ray Warford as captain-coach and the foundations of the great sides which were to come, were laid. Further advances came with the appointment of Lester Rootsey from Wangaratta Rovers, who was appointed coach from 1956 to 1958.
The team advanced steadily up the ladder under Rootsey and in 1959 was in third position, under new coach, Arthur Smith.
In the final at Whorouly, Moyhu played Beechworth and were the underdogs. Halfway through the second quarter, Beechworth was leading 6.2 - 38 to 1.5 - 11, when began perhaps the most amazing reversal of form you could ever see.
Brian Martin, notoriouly inaccurate and a right footer, headed towards the boundary line well out with the ball and kicked a magnificent goal with his left foot, beginning what many still claim to be the greatest exhibition of football ever seen in the O&KFL!
Beechworth kicked 2.3 - 15 for the remainder of the match to Moyhu's 20.8 - 128.
Stars in that game were Les Mahoney in the centre, Brian Martin at centre half forward and full forward, Bill McKenzie who kicked eight goals.
The next Saturday again at Whorouly, Moyhu met Chiltern, who five years earlier had held Moyhu goaless. Neck and neck all day. Moyhu led at every change, but Chiltern snatched the lead just before time on, only to be overrun by the Moyhu side, which slammed on three late goals.
In 1960, Beechworth was undoubtedly the best side, with Moyhu being coached by Ron Murray, the brother of the legendary Fitzroy player, Kevin Murray.
However, nor every champion wins and in the grand final, Moyhu jumped Beechworth, raced away to a handy lead and allthough Beechworth continued to wear the lead away, Moyhu still had a goal to spare at the final siren.
On the bell, Moyhu player, Max Bergin, gave away free kick to Beechworth rover, Ab Comensoli who was about 70 metres out from the goal. The crowd began to surge on to the ground as Comsensoli took his kick, which fell short. However Beechworth appealed on the basis that the rules stated that finals had to be held on a secure ground, claiming that because the crowd had been able to get on to the ground, the ground was not secure, and the game should be replayed.
The O&KFL dismissed the appeal.
In 1961, the boot was on the other foot, with Moyhu the best side in the competition, but where rolled out by Beechworth in the finals.
Then under captain-coach, Ray Burns, the greatest ever side in the O&KFL was put together in 1962.
The club produced the most dominating team ever seen in the O&KFL, the 1962 premiership team. In an outstanding side, many players come to mind, but the back line of Richie Shanley and Kevin Mahoney must be noted. The half backs included Lex Lane, and Tony Nolan, with centreman being Neville Hogan, who afterwards won the Morris Medal in the Ovens and Murray Football League and proved to be an outstanding captain-coach with the Wangaratta Rovers, winning four premierships.
Wingman were Graham Batten and Max Corker, Brian Martin at centre half forward and Ray Simmondsoften at full forward. Three outstanding rovers in Greg Hogan, Ian McDonald and Dick Grant made the most chances given to them by ruckmen, Maurie Farrell and Ray Burns.
Maurie Farrell must rank as one of the all time greats at Moyhu, winning eight best and fairest awards, yet never polled more than one or two votes in the O&KFL umpire voting awards. He played one game with the Wangaratta Rovers to prove he was good enough to play at that level, then returned to Moyhu before going onto captain-coach Greta to three premierships and finishing with 301 games.
In 16 of its 18 home and away games it at least doubled its opponent's score and it did this as well in the two finals games.
Throughout the season it was only lead at quarter time in two occasions, one in round eventeen against Beechworth and the other in the second semi final against Greta.
A number of players left the club the club in 1963, But Moyhu still made the grand final against Tarrawingee. Moyhu led all day, but went under in the last two or three minutes.
In 1964, Moyhu was bundled out out of the finals by Milawa, which licked a goal on the final bell.
However, that succesful period was followed by the longest drought in the club's history. There were twenty six years between 1962 flag and the 1988 premiership and 23 years from 1965 till 1987 when the club did not even make the finals.
At times the club looked like folding, but dedicated supporters kept it together and eventually in 1988 Moyhu again made the finals winning ots last eight home and away matches and took out the flag against Beechworth under the great leadership of coach, Peter Hines and President, Max Batey.
The 1988 flag came after a game in which Moyhu led all day, but Beechworth, with a strong wind at its back drew level with three minutes to go. Then a brilliant mark and goal to Stephen Baker sealed the game for Moyhu.
The club played in the finals for most the 1990's, except for 1992 and 1998, but then had a purple patch from 1999 onwards when they played in seven senior football grand finals between 1999 and 2006, winning four premierships during that period, with full forward, Shane Moore winning five consecutive O&KFL goalkicking awards.
The club then won the 2011 premiership under coach, John McNamara, with Jeremy Wilson kicking 101 goals for the season.
By - David Evans. AM
From Neil Barter's very comprehensive O&KFNL History book -
All Links in the Chain - A Centenary History of the Ovens and King Football / Netball League. 1903 to 2002. 309 pages.
Ovens & King Netball Association
The O&K Netball Association commenced in 1956, with the following five clubs playing in conjunction with the O&K Football League - Beechworth, Bogong, Milawa, Moyhu and Tarrawingee and they played their matches on the home venues, with Milawa defeating Moyhu in the 1956 grand final.
The first president of the Moyhu Netball Club was Carmel Ward and Barbara Plunkett as secretary in 1956.
In 1956, the Oxley Shire Council graded a patch for a court behind where the dressing rooms now stand. Playing conditions were very primitive - the court at Moyhu and other venues became mud heaps after some rain. The Netballers had to line mark the court with paint brushes and sometimes with lime when the court became very wet.
The O&KNA also initiated a best and fairest award in 1956 and this was won by Mrs D. Stone from Tarrawingee.
The O&KNA has run continously since 1956 and merged with the O&KFL around the mid 2000's and most club's now have upgraded courts and modern netball changerooms.
