Panton Hill Football Club
Encyclopedia
Panton Hill Football Club is an Australian rules football
club in Eltham, Victoria
, currently competing in the Northern Football League.
The club first premiership was in 1934 against Yarra Glen who were undefeated until the Grand Final.
The club only played the 1938 season and part of 1939 and was in recess for the remainder of the period.
The club re-emerged in 1947 in the newly formed seven member club Panton Hill Football League, Panton Hill, Wallan East, Plenty Rovers, Hurstbridge, Kinglake, Whittlesea and St Andrews.
Panton Hill wore a different designed jumper navy blue with a red yoke, but again changed to black with red sash as the other design was difficult to come by.
The only senior premiership in the Panton Hill Football League was in 1955 but the juniors won back to back in 1964 - 1965 and more recently, after 42 years the juniors won the 2007 premiership.
After a stellar season in 1970 under first year coach Peter Ferne, the club was runner up to Hurstbridge. The only League Best and Fairest award won by a Panton Hill player was won by Mick Bowman in 1969.
The only players to kick 100 goals for the club in one season are Mick Carns (In 1960) and Errol Loeffler. Juniors to win a league best and fairest are Jack Sullivan, Barry Sullivan and Garry Skinner in the 60s and Joe Jach and Peter Hoppe in the 70s.
1987 proved to be a bitter sweet year for the Club after struggling early for numbers, the arrival of Gavin Ward saw the influx of a number of new players and by seasons end, Panton Hill not only made the finals but under Captain/Coach, John Stanley recorded a memorable come from behind win against Hurstbridge
in the first semi final. Although beaten in the preliminary final against Coolaroo the good finish to the season looked set to be the catalyst of better things to come. Unfortunately with the departure of several Clubs and some struggling to survive, the Panton Hill Football League went into recess. The next year the League was formerly dissolved.
In 1988 the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League
gave Panton Hill a lifeline. With Dennis Kerr as Senior Coach, the Club struggled again to attract players due to travel and the highly competitive nature of the League. While wins were few and far between in the early stages, the Club quickly gained a reputation for their "never say die" attitude and fierce determination.
In 1990 with former player and coach, Tony Cahir as President, former Seville
Premiership player and coach Fritz Eigner, took over as Playing Senior Coach and brought a renewed enthusiasm and professionalism to the Club.
In 1992 the Club enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in over 20 years with both the Senior and Reserves teams both making the finals. Unfortunately both sides went down in the first semi final.
After the success of 1992 better things were expected but once again the Club went on a roller coaster ride and continued to struggle to recruit quality players.
In 1995 the ground was finally improved with the club forced to play at Yarrambat. With one of the wettest winters in years and nowhere to train the seniors recorded just one win.
During 1996, the club entered into discussions with the Diamond Valley Football League
in regards to joining the proposed new third division. While the Diamond Valley
Clubs voted against a third division, the League was so impressed with Panton Hill's submission, the club was offered a position in second division for 1997.
The club has largely struggled in the DVFL
, wins being at a premium. However, Panton Hill was able to reach the finals for the first time in 2004. The club defeated perennial Diamond Valley power Greensborough in one of the biggest upsets in football history. The win was largely due to 18 marks from journeyman forward Tim Borchers. The club bowed out the next week after George Le Broq medallist and man about town William Box withdrew due to injury, the team shattered about the loss of their beloved roaming backman.
The newly formed Panton Hill Junior Football Club won the Under 10's Premiership in 2007.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
club in Eltham, Victoria
Eltham, Victoria
Eltham is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 20 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Nillumbik. At the 2006 Census, Eltham had a population of 17,581....
, currently competing in the Northern Football League.
History
The club was founded in 1926, and affiliated with the Bourke - Evelyn Football League. The club originally wore a maroon jumper with a white Vee.The club first premiership was in 1934 against Yarra Glen who were undefeated until the Grand Final.
The club only played the 1938 season and part of 1939 and was in recess for the remainder of the period.
The club re-emerged in 1947 in the newly formed seven member club Panton Hill Football League, Panton Hill, Wallan East, Plenty Rovers, Hurstbridge, Kinglake, Whittlesea and St Andrews.
Panton Hill wore a different designed jumper navy blue with a red yoke, but again changed to black with red sash as the other design was difficult to come by.
The only senior premiership in the Panton Hill Football League was in 1955 but the juniors won back to back in 1964 - 1965 and more recently, after 42 years the juniors won the 2007 premiership.
After a stellar season in 1970 under first year coach Peter Ferne, the club was runner up to Hurstbridge. The only League Best and Fairest award won by a Panton Hill player was won by Mick Bowman in 1969.
The only players to kick 100 goals for the club in one season are Mick Carns (In 1960) and Errol Loeffler. Juniors to win a league best and fairest are Jack Sullivan, Barry Sullivan and Garry Skinner in the 60s and Joe Jach and Peter Hoppe in the 70s.
1987 proved to be a bitter sweet year for the Club after struggling early for numbers, the arrival of Gavin Ward saw the influx of a number of new players and by seasons end, Panton Hill not only made the finals but under Captain/Coach, John Stanley recorded a memorable come from behind win against Hurstbridge
Hurstbridge Football Club
Hurstbridge Football Club is an Australian rules football club located 34 km north east of Melbourne in the township of Hurstbridge. The club is affiliated with the Northern Football League....
in the first semi final. Although beaten in the preliminary final against Coolaroo the good finish to the season looked set to be the catalyst of better things to come. Unfortunately with the departure of several Clubs and some struggling to survive, the Panton Hill Football League went into recess. The next year the League was formerly dissolved.
In 1988 the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League
Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League
The Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League is an Australian rules football and netball competition based in Victoria to the east and northeast of Melbourne.-History:...
gave Panton Hill a lifeline. With Dennis Kerr as Senior Coach, the Club struggled again to attract players due to travel and the highly competitive nature of the League. While wins were few and far between in the early stages, the Club quickly gained a reputation for their "never say die" attitude and fierce determination.
In 1990 with former player and coach, Tony Cahir as President, former Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
Premiership player and coach Fritz Eigner, took over as Playing Senior Coach and brought a renewed enthusiasm and professionalism to the Club.
In 1992 the Club enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in over 20 years with both the Senior and Reserves teams both making the finals. Unfortunately both sides went down in the first semi final.
After the success of 1992 better things were expected but once again the Club went on a roller coaster ride and continued to struggle to recruit quality players.
In 1995 the ground was finally improved with the club forced to play at Yarrambat. With one of the wettest winters in years and nowhere to train the seniors recorded just one win.
During 1996, the club entered into discussions with the Diamond Valley Football League
Diamond Valley Football League
The Northern Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Diamond Valley region of suburban Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The league changed its name on 1 May 2007. The league was founded in 1922, originally having seven clubs, four of whom are still participating...
in regards to joining the proposed new third division. While the Diamond Valley
Diamond Valley
Diamond Valley is a basin located in central Nevada in the western United States, between the Sulphur Spring Range and the Diamond Mountains. The valley is located almost entirely within Eureka County, but the northern end crosses into Elko County. The valley is up to 12 miles wide and over 45...
Clubs voted against a third division, the League was so impressed with Panton Hill's submission, the club was offered a position in second division for 1997.
The club has largely struggled in the DVFL
Diamond Valley Football League
The Northern Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Diamond Valley region of suburban Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The league changed its name on 1 May 2007. The league was founded in 1922, originally having seven clubs, four of whom are still participating...
, wins being at a premium. However, Panton Hill was able to reach the finals for the first time in 2004. The club defeated perennial Diamond Valley power Greensborough in one of the biggest upsets in football history. The win was largely due to 18 marks from journeyman forward Tim Borchers. The club bowed out the next week after George Le Broq medallist and man about town William Box withdrew due to injury, the team shattered about the loss of their beloved roaming backman.
The newly formed Panton Hill Junior Football Club won the Under 10's Premiership in 2007.