1908-2011

The original Black Rock Football Club was born in 1908 and the ensuing 102 seasons have seen it endure the heights of success and the depths of despair.

I use the word “original”, because the club actually dis­banded in 1972 and was reformed in 1976.

The Rockers, then known as Black Rock & Sandringham District, moved to the Federal Football Association in 1912, los­ing their first game to Cheltenham by 45 points.

The club began its climb up the ladder in 1919, the year football resumed after World War I, when it finished in the top two for the first time, being runner-up to Sandringham.

The Rocks were runners-up again in 1921 (to Brighton) and yet again in 1923 (to Mordialloc).

The Rocks, well known for their black-and-red ‘Bomber’ colours, actually wore navy blue gurrnseys with a red vee in the mid-1920s.

The club withdrew from the Federal League in 1927 but rejoined in 1932.

After another finals appearance in 1934, Black Rock went all the way in 1935 to take out their first Federal premiership flag.

Losing only one game for the season to finish in top place, the Rocks cruised through the finals, defeating East Burwood by four goals in the big one.

The premiership line-up was: L.Williams, J.Bryer, H.Bartley, L.Coles, S.Coles, J.Edwards, D.Fricker, H.Geddes, R.Glew, T.Harrington, E.LeNepvue, E. McGain, E.MacKenzie, L.Phelan, J.Rowley, E.Reickman, A.Rowan, N.Spencer and Percy Witchell, the 1938 Federal Best & Fairest winner.

The club made it two flags in a row in 1936, defeating Darling by nine points after losing to them by a point in the second semi.

In 1948, Black Rock took the unusual step of fielding two senior teams in the top grade. Chelsea kicked a record score of 41-38-2.84 against their second team, while Caulfield almost matched that with their score of 41-27-273 against the same side.

Their next premiership, which proved to be their last in the Federal, came with an 11-pt victory over Dandenong, in 1954.

Some of the well-known names of that era include popular captain Bill Wood and Les “Bluey” Falkingham, a veteran of 317 senior games for the Rocks.

Black Rock proved to be a breeding ground for first class administrators. Wally Beckwith served as Federal President for 15 years and later Darrell Molloy was secretary for 18 years, becoming President in 1980.

And the club produced a few handy players along the way, including Wally’s son John, who went on to captain Melbourne during their golden era.

Black Rock reached the finals only twice during the 1960s, in 1962 and 1964, despite some exceptional talent in its ranks, including former St Kilda full for-ward Bill Young and John Ward, a tear-through centre-half-back, who later starred for Sandringham and played cricket for Victoria as an opening bowler.

By the time the 1970s arrived, the club was struggling for support and the 1972 season was its last. After 64 eventful years, Black Rock’s marvelous history came to a sudden halt.

However, thanks to the dedication of a few hard workers, the club re-formed in 1976 and entered the YCW competition.

After a few seasons there, the Rockers moved on to the ESCFA and enjoyed immediate success in 1980 with premierships in seniors and reserves. Another senior flag came in 1984, with the reserves completing four in a row in 1982.

In 1986, Black Rock joined the SESFL (which changed to the SFL in the 90′s) and, despite finishing on top and playing in a few finals had to wait until 2004 to taste premiership glory downing Moorabbin in torrential conditions after trailing all day the boys crept over the line in a dogged second half.  The win seeing the Gary Rohan (senior coach) avenge defeat after 2 losing granf finals in the previous 2 seasons to Hampton & Canterbury.

2006 saw a changing of the guard for the Rockers with several new faces in all areas of the club mainly on the committee with previous stalwarts taking a step back after countless yours of service.

Nick ‘ Burger’ Macmillan took on the role of president & was joined by Micky Bennett, Damian Devola, Kevin “Pommy’ Bowers, Dean Brostek who had all been at the club for a few years & took on the challenge of steering the mighty Rockers through a tough transition. 2006 saw us return to Div. 3 & appoint Steven Anderson & James Challis as senior & assisitant coaches. The newly formed playing list had immediate success with a prelim final & then a premiership in 2007, in what has to be the biggest heart stopper seen in a  GF, the scores being locked up after the bell overtime saw the Rockers prevail by a solitary point.

2008 saw the Rockers celebrate in centenary season after beeing founded in 1908, the year saw many tribute functions along with some old faces returning to McDonald reserve. The crowning glory being the centenary dinner held at our major sponsor Doyles in Mordialloc, the night celebrated everything Black Rock and saw 200+ people (players, friends family) reminisce  about their time at the Rockers, pictures available for view in the gallery.

Peter Smith has since taken over the reigns (in 2010) as president & continues the journey as we embark our next era of success, the return to Div 2 has been tough but we continue to keep our heads above water with a big turnover of players from 2007 to current day. Newly appointed coach in 2011 Simon Beshara (along with his assistants Graham Hyman & Richard Abel) have been doing the tough yards over the summer months with quite a few new faces on the track over pre season, we have finally reached Rd 1 this Saturday with a road trip out to Ashwood, only time will tell what the future holds for the mighty Rockers

Some of the notable personalities since the club’s resurrection include Trevor Wood, a player from the Federal days, who played again and served as Treasurer from 1977-1988.

Wally Pratt was the architect of Black Rock’s success in the early 1980s. He was able to secure fundraising through Bingo and recruited some talented players to the dub.

By 2000 Tom Raftery had served on the committee for the past 16 years, 11 of them as secretary. A veteran of 160 games, Tom was the driving force in keeping the club going. Always at training, Tom has missed only one game in his  30+ year career & still serves on the club committee in 2011… Thers only 1 ‘Big Tommy’ !!

Bill Costello, whose father was a trainer for the Rocks in the 1950s and 1960s was a trainer from 1980-96 and also served the club as secretary and president & has rejoined the club in a volunteer role for 2010 & still cheering the  Rockers on every game.

Mick Bowe, who played and coached at Black Rock from 1977-92, also had a family link to the “previous” Black Rock. Mick’s brother Peter was a legendary Rock player in the 50s and 60s and served as President from 1980-82.

Leo O’Keefe was another dedicated clubman who played in the Federal days and also in the reformed club. Leo was at Black Rock for 35 years, serving on the committee and as secretary.

Kevin Handley, who played in the four consecutive reserves premiership sides was president of Black Rock from 1996-2005.

Rick Watkins, Kevin Mitchell, Laurie Howes, Michael Lithgow, Brent Ward (games record holder), David ‘Wilbur’ Perry & Rober Scott  are the most recent players to join the Rockers’ elite “200-games” club.

BRFC 1930-

2007 SFL Div 3  Premiers

 

2004 SFL Div 3 Premiers

 

Living Legends !

3 Members from our 1954 Premiership at our recent Centenary Dinner (2008)