Pigeons’ hierarchy changes

By Robert Muir

Jul 16, 2019

It was some sort of football premiership season, 1989, with sudden changes at the top regarding presidency and coaching.

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Senior Vice President of Yarrawonga Football Club at the time, Joe Dixon was thrust into the president’s role after Tom Runnalls contracted cancer.

Joe vividly remembers the commencement of season 1989 when Neil Davis replaced Les (Salty) Parish as senior coach.

“We had 11 at training, but things started to improve,” he told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.

“We had Junior Vice President Bernie Spargo who had Essendon connections and we got Tonks and Long – they made the difference.

“Tom was diagnosed with cancer that season and I had the job. Neil Davis did a wonderful job as coach. He should get all the praise for the job he did.”

Joe mentioned there were half a dozen strong club supporters who provided substantial administrative support for fielding the team the club wanted.

Joe, 79, played a handful of games with Fitzroy; was involved in both of Yarrawonga’s first two premierships, as 20th man in the inaugural 1959 Bill Stephen-coached flag and then in the executive role 30 years on.

“It was exciting for all at the club,” he said of the premierships.

By Robert Muir

Journalist