By Adrian Ceddia
FOR those who think footballers are washed up after their days in weekly suburban leagues, think again.
There are plenty of players from the West still chasing the oval red leather across the park, despite the majority being in their 40s and 50s.
The Victorian Metro Superules competition is home to Footscray Districts, a thriving club for over 35s led by former president and current coach Fred Hall.
“The environment is just amazing. We’re a pretty unique footy club,” he said.
“The good thing about it is that nobody gets paid, so nobody has an ego.”
Footscray was formed in 1990 and already has two premierships to its credit.
While the club has not undergone massive recruiting drives or been able to throw money at potential players, it has been able to maintain a comprehensive player base over the years.
Footscray is home to more than 100 players over 35 years of age – enough for four teams to take the field each fortnight.
The club’s base is Burbank Oval – also the home of Williamstown in the Victorian Football League – where the players train and play matches every second Sunday.
Footscray’s playing list comprises a large number of former Western Region Football League players, as well as former AFL star Tony Liberatore, who juggles playing with his coaching commitments at Carlton.
“There’s a big cross section of blokes who come from teams across the district,” Hall said.
“One of the reasons we have so many numbers is because blokes just won’t retire. It’s just too much fun.”
After winning its last flag in 2000, Footscray’s rise to the upper echelon of Division One was complete last year, when it came from eighth position in 2004 to reach the grand final.
It was stopped in its tracks by the all-conquering Essendon team, but is on track to return to the finals action later this year.
“Last year we thought we’d try to pinch a spot in the final, and if we could get a grand final it would be a bonus,” Hall said.
“We’ve got a pretty good side again this year, and we want to win it.”
A promising start to the season has the team in prime position for another consistent season, but Hall and his crew know there is a long way to go.
“The competition is very even. The top four or six teams are very strong,” he said.
“We certainly get some good games out there.”
Footscray has completed four rounds in the season so far, with seven remaining until the finals in late August.
