12th May 2009. The following brief history of the Reservoir Football Club Inc was obtained from a website named:
“Footypedia.com
http://www.footypedia.com/00001928.htm
Grouse Roots Footy…a labyrinth of local aussie rules history” which was complied by a Kev Court from information he gained through publication’s, newspapers & submissions from people who contacted him”.
“And research carried out by the Darbin Council Library Club History- Edwardes Lake: a gift well received. Epping (Vic.): WorkPlacement, 2002 and information provided by Bob Harris, a Life Member, Reservoir Football Club”
Guernseys & Nicknames :
WW2 - Reservoir wore brown guernseys with a gold vee.
1946 - Reservoir switched to a red and white guernsey, similar to that of Preston Football Club.
1982 - Reservoir wore guernseys akin to the Prahran team of the VFA (two blues colours).
2001 - Reservoir's football team were known as the Two Blues. They wear guernseys of royal blue and light blue vertical stripes.
2005 – Reservoir Football club is now known as the “Mustangs”.
Timeline :
1923 - Bourke-Evelyn FL : Reservoir commenced.
1924 - Bourke-Evelyn FL : Reservoir participated.
1925 - Bourke-Evelyn FL : Reservoir participated.
1926 - Bourke-Evelyn FL : Reservoir participated.
1927 - Bourke-Evelyn FL : Reservoir participated.
1928 - Bourke-Evelyn FL : Reservoir participated.
1929 - Bourke-Evelyn FL : Reservoir participated.
1930 - Bourke-Evelyn FL : Reservoir's final season.
1931 - Diamond Valley FL : Reservoir commenced.
1946 - Diamond Valley FL : Reservoir 1st 18’s were Premiers.
1947 - Diamond Valley FL : Reservoir 1st 18’s were Premiers.
1948 - Diamond Valley FL : Reservoir 1st 18’s were runners- up.
1949 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir commenced.
1950 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1951 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1952 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1953 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1954 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1955 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1956 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1957 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1958 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1959 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir 1st 18’s were Premiers.
1960 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1961 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1962 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1963 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1964 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1965 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1966 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1967 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir 1st 18’s were runners-up.
1968 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1969 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir participated.
1970 – Metropolitan FL: Reservoir 2nd 18’s were Champions
1971 - Panton Hill FL : Reservoir 1st 18’s were runners-up & 2nd 18’s were Champions
1972 - Panton Hill FL : Reservoir 1stwere Premiers & 2nd 18’s were Champions
1973 - Panton Hill FL : Reservoir 1st & 2nd 18’s were runners-up.
1974 - Panton Hill FL : Reservoir participated.
1975 - Panton Hill FL : Reservoir 1st & 2nd 18’s were Champions.
1976 - Panton Hill FL : Reservoir 1st & 2nd 18’s were Premiers.
1977 - Panton Hill FL : Reservoir 1st 18’s were runners-up.
1978 - Panton Hill FL : Reservoir participated.
1979 - Panton Hill FL : Reservoir participated.
1980 - Panton Hill FL : Reservoir's final season in this league.
1981 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir commenced.
1982 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir 2nd 18’s were Premiers.
1983 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir U18’s were Premiers.
1984 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 Reservoir 1st 2nd & U19’s were Premiers.
1985 - Diamond Valley FL Div 1 : Reservoir participated.
1986 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
1987 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
1988 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
1989 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
1990 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
1991 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
1992 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
1993 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir 1st 18’s were runners-up.
1994 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir 1st 18’s were runners-up.
1995 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
1996 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
1997 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
1998 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir U19’s were Premiers.
1999 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
2000 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
2001 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
2004 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir 1st 18’s were runners-up.
2005 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
2006 - Diamond Valley FL Div 2 : Reservoir participated.
2007 – Northern FL Div 2 : Reservoir 1st & 2nd 18’s went into Recess for season. U19’s participated.
2008 - Northern FL Div 2 : Reservoir 1st, 2nd 18’s & U19’s participated.
2009 - Northern FL Div 2 : Reservoir 1st, 2nd 18’s participated.
Darbin Council Library Club History – Recorded 2006
Football Clubs – Reservoir
Reservoir Football Club first participated in local Melbourne football in 1923. The Club played in the Bourke and Evelyn Football League for a few seasons, the last recorded as 1930. From 1946 Reservoir’s history is more clearly traceable. The club played in the Diamond Valley Football League (DVFL), winning the Premiership in 1946 and ’47. Don Atkinson was captain-coach of the 1947 team; he would later serve as mayor of the City of Preston. Atkinson was also at the helm in 1948 when the Club were runners-up. Reservoir wore brown jumpers with a gold vee up until 1949 when they switched to a red and white jumper, similar to that of Preston Football Club. This was a demonstration of the close alliance the two clubs would form, as Reservoir became a feeder club for Preston. That year also marked a switch to the Metropolitan Football League.
In the early 1950s Reservoir used J.E. Moore Park near Edwardes Lake Park as a home ground. The Club sought permission from the Preston City Council to erect a shelter for their players but were denied. Soon after this denial, the Club would again approach the council, this time seeking leave to play at nearby Crispe Park. In March of 1952 the Council resolved to discontinue the playing of football and cricket at Edwardes Lake Park. The sporting facilities at the Park have been primarily for Athletics since this time. Meanwhile, Reservoir have played at Crispe Park ever since.
The first timber clubrooms were just inside the main entrance to the ground where the current toilet block is situated.
The present clubrooms which have been extended a number of times were originally named “The Fred Birchall Pavilion”. Fred was a local builder who served on the Reservoir Football Club committee for many years.
In 1959 Reservoir captured their only Premiership at senior level in the Metropolitan Football League. The club was led by Alan Chandler, who coached the side as well as being runner up in the Best and Fairest award. The Chandler family have been great servants of the Reservoir Football Club. Bob, Alan, Frank and Ken Chandler played for and served the Club in a variety of administrative roles including president, coach, secretary and treasurer. Bob, Alan and Ken are life members of the Club.
Reservoir switched to the Panton Hill Football League in 1971 after 22 seasons in the MFL. This move was an immediate success as Reservoir finished runners-up in their debut season then captured premierships for both seniors and reserves in 1972. This feat was matched in 1975 and the senior side made it back-to-back premierships in 1976. The Club spent ten seasons in the PHFL, all of which ended in finals appearances. In 1981 Reservoir returned to the Diamond Valley Football League after 31 years, in which time the DVFL had become arguably the strongest of all Melbourne’s suburban football leagues. In 1982 Reservoir amalgamated with the Reservoir Y.C.W. Football Club.
It was during the 1980s that the Club changed its jumper to design featuring vertical stripes of royal blue and light blue. The Club still wears these colours today.
The 1984 season was a special one for the Reservoir Football Club. The senior team, playing in Division 2 of A grade in the DVFL, won the premiership after a 10 point win over Northcote Park. This saw the Club promoted to Division 1 for the first time. That alone was a great achievement, but Reservoir’s seconds, thirds and Under 11 junior team also won premierships in ’84 to cap a spectacular season. Unfortunately the senior side lasted only one season in Division 1 as they were relegated after finishing last in 1985. They have not managed promotion since, losing out in three Division 2 grand finals (1993, 1994 & 2004 and most recently in 2006 reached the 2006 Preliminary final.
2007 saw the club forced to withdraw from the Diamond Valley Football League at 1st and 2nd eighteen levels, due to a chronic lack of players. The club fielded an U 19 team.
Prior to the commencement of the 2007 season the league was renamed the Northern Football League.
2008 has seen the club again field 1st , 2nd and U 19 teams in the renamed Northern Football League.
Reservoir Football Club Inc : The Chandler Family
In the history of the Reservoir Football Club, one family name resonates like no other, that of the Chandler Family. The association started when Ken Chandler first played in 1947 and continues today with Ken’s brother Bob Chandler still an active follower of the Club he represented a record 335 times. In all there were four Chandler brothers: Ken (125 games), Frank ( 30 games), Alan (307 games) and Bob (335 games). Their father Bill was also closely involved with the Club for many years, serving on the committee and as vice-president.
The Chandler brothers’ involvement with the Reservoir Football Club was not limited to on field participation. Frank was assistant secretary and insurance officer from the late 1940s into the 1960s. Both Alan and Bob served as coach of the 1st Eighteen team, with Alan steering the team to Premiership success in 1959. Ken coached the 2nd Eighteen team. Bob also had stints as secretary, treasurer and president of the Club.
In addition to all this, the four brothers’ wives formed the Club’s ladies committee in the early 1950s and had continued involvement with the committee until the late 1960s.
An old (early 50’s) Reservoir Football Club theme song, sung to the tune of “Bless ‘em all”, features the following lyrics:
There is a fair suburb 10 miles north of town,
Reservoir’s township by name.
They have a great football team of red and white.
The premiership can be forseen.
They play at Crispe Park as opponents well know.
They never do envy the match.
When they start a ‘bashing’,
We give them a thrashing,
And send them away for dispatch.
Chorus
Thrash ‘em all, kick a score,
We’ve never been out of the four,
Foes chances are thinner
We’d eat them for dinner
They can’t beat the old Reservoir
Information courtesy of Bob Harris, Life Member, Reservoir Football Club
Whilst all care and accuracy has been taken in recording the club’s history, errors may have occurred and if errors are found or additional club history/details etc are known please contact Bob Harris on 0431 462 585 or email
birwych@optusnet.com.au
Reservoir Football Club Inc
Premierships Incorporating Reservoir YCW and the Reservoir Colts as at the end of season 2008
D.V.F.L Div 1 Seniors 1946
D.V.F.L Div 1 1947
D.V.F.L Div 2 1984
D.V.F.L Div 2 Reserves 1982
D.V.F.L Div 2 1984
D.V.F.L Div 2 Thirds – Under 18 1983
D.V.F.L Div 2 Thirds – Under 19 1984
D.V.F.L Div 2 1998
D.V.F.L Div 2 Under 17 1987
D.V.F.L Div 2 1997
D.V.F.L Div 3 2001
D.V.F.L Div 3 2006
D.V.F.L Div 2 Under 16 1982
D.V.F.L Div 1 Under 15 1995
D.V.F.L Div 2 1996
D.V.F.L Div 2 Under 13 1997
D.V.F.L Div 2 2004
D.V.F.L Div 2 Under 11 1984
D.V.F.L Div 2 1991
D.V.F.L Div 2 1992
M.F.L. Seniors 1959
Reserves 1970
P.H.F.L. Seniors 1972
1975
1976
Reserves 1971
1972
1975
Thirds 1976
Y.C.W Seniors 1980
P.D.J.F.A Under 10 1977
Under 12 1971
1972
1973
Under 16 1967
1972
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