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Alex McCracken served as the clubs first Secretary in 1871 (at the age of 17) and later as the President of the Essendon Football club from 1887-1903.
Alex. McCracken was the first VFL President 1897-1915 (What would he think?)
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In Ayrshire, Scotland. The birthplace of Robert McCracken, we see the formation of the Ayr Rugby Football Club in 1897, “the founding members adopted the famous cerise (cherry-red) and black colours.” |
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The Ayr Rugby Football Club’s crest, “Red with Black Sash” is more than just interesting and unique. Don’t you think?
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It is documented that the Essendon Football Club played, football, as early as 1862:
- Report: Yeoman & Australian Acclimatiser
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Joanna Zachos - cafe Delphi
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Even the AFL, the sports governing body, recognises the unique fact that the Essendon Football “…clubs Guernsey has always and still does consist of a black jumper with red sash over the left shoulder.”
”Though the Bombers did very slightly increase the width of the sash in 1975, apart from the very early nickname changes the famous red and black sash Guernsey has never changed and is the only club to have never changed their Guernsey, not even a Pre Season jumper for a short time.” |
“With
the advent of the heritage round there is
for just one round per year a slight
change in the Bomber Guernsey,
but only the reduction in width of the red
sash, with no other changes really
possible.”
”In Round 1, 2006 Essendon will run out in the same Guernsey they ran out in, in Round 1, 1897 and
probably will for some time.
Source: Official Website of the Australian Football League
http://www.afl.com.au/AFLHQ/History/AFLGuernseys/tabid/1030/Default.aspx
1873 First game played. Players wore black Guernsey with Red Sash.
Source: Essendon Football Club Official Website
http://www.essendonfc.com.au/club/history.asp
As we shall see, this
same old Essendon Guernsey lays claim to a far greater local historical and unique cultural link to our past.
Charles J. Spong - was the Licensee of the Maribyrnong Bridge Hotel (no longer present), opposite the Anglers Tavern. Together with Alex McCracken, Charles B. Fisher and Hurtle Fisher they met at Spong’s Maribyrnong Bridge Hotel to establish a local rowing club. The Spong family had a very keen interest in trotting and their family colours - “black with a red sash”, were adopted by the (newly formed) Essendon Rowing Club in 1880.
Source: RICKARDS
V.R.A. The First One Hundred Years.
Aberdeen Press Print. 1976.
Australian Encyclopedia Vo. VII
The Grolion Society of Australia 1963.
Alex McCracken was the first President of the Essendon Rowing Club 1880-1915.
Most intriguing of all, in the history of Essendon, is the Fisher family.
“In the history of the Victorian Turf there can be found no more enduring names than those of Messrs. H. Fisher and
C.B. Fisher.”
“Hurtle played an important part in the building of this state’s breeding and racing history, founding the famous Maribyrnong stud…”
Source: Victorian Turf Cavalcade (1836-1936)
By, Derby Clonard. Published 1936.
“…It was not until 1849 that Mr Hurtle Fisher saw his soon-to-be-famous Rose and Black jacket carried in a race.”
Source: A Century of Winners
By, Bill Ahern. Published in 1988.
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Charles and Hurtle Fisher were prominent horsemen who owned the large Maribyrnong Estate, extending from the Horseshoe Bend at Maribyrnong, to the Flemington Racecourse.
The Fishers owned the winner of the 1864 Melbourne Cup “Lantern” which carried, the Fisher colours, of “Rose and Black”.
“Black with red sash”, were the registered racing colours of the Fisher family.
Source: The Essendon Gazette 28/10/1943
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Daniel Farha - cafe VIVA
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The racing link that has been hinted at and even speculated, in the past, can now be confirmed. The following information has been sourced from the original version and earliest existing record of The Turf Register, the official race results book, printed in 1875-76.
Hurtle Fisher had officially registered his racing colours with the Secretary of the
V.R.C. back in 1871. These are:
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Rose and Black striped jacket with Rose cap.
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Rose and Black jacket with Black cap.
Source: The Turf Register 1875-76
Hurtle Fisher was one of the original foundation members of the
V.R.C. in 1864.
Charles B. Fisher was one of Australia’s richest landowners and was unanimously elected chairman of the
V.R.C. in 1883 a position he held until his retirement in 1895.
Alex McCracken also served as the Chairman of the
V.R.C. (1907).
There is a direct theme (and colour scheme) that runs through every one of these local clubs. The colours “black with red sash” also feature prominently for all three families - Fisher, McCracken and
Spong. Which are now synonymous throughout Victoria, Australia and the World as the colours of Essendon.
It would be remiss of me not too mention that there are “claims” that Essendon wore a Blue Guernsey for a period in the 1880’s. Some state that the Blue Guernsey was nothing more than, the players “Work Uniform” seeing that the players came straight from work to training. We duly contest that if this indeed were the case, then why doesn’t the Official AFL or Essendon Football Club web site make any mention of such an important piece of information – if it is indeed a fact?
Our research indicates that if anything, the “black with red sash” colour was by 1880 completely entrenched by sporting clubs from our district – including the Essendon Football Club.
The Essendon Lacrosse Club was formed 12.3.1889 – the team colours were red and black. (Source: EHS No.52)
Other important dates and positions held by the McCracken’s during this time include:
Coiler McCracken was the first president of the Essendon Golf Club in 1878. Built on McCracken property near the Essendon Railway Station. (Source:
N.G.C. Hist)
Peter McCracken elected on March 18, 1864 and Robert McCracken elected on April 11, 1864 as Foundation Members of the
V.R.C.
Peter McCracken served the City of Essendon as Mayor and along with his brother Robert McCracken as councillors.
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Judy Maddigan and Christos Harisopoulos
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We hope to raise the awareness of the important historical links to the city and people of Maribyrnong. So whilst some might say, it is only a jumper, we can honestly argue it truly is unique and certainly deserves to be preserved well past April of this year. If not for another century - or more… Our Guernsey made it through the great, black and white television years and now with our great wide screen, LCD, Plasma and HDTV’s – all of a sudden it is a problem? In this ever-changing world of ours, how many things have remained constant?
One jumper can hold its sleeve up high -– with your support. |
On the 3-6-1879, Moonee Ponds had it’s name changed to “Kaleno” and after 3 months of local public protest, was renamed Moonee Ponds again. We will not have this luxury.
Christos would like to thank the local businesses in Puckle Street, Moonee Ponds, for the great support they have given us from the very beginning.
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café Delphi 11 Puckle St Moonee Ponds Tel: 9370 4707
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ANTHONY’S
HAIR & BEAUTY 63 Puckle St Moonee Ponds Tel: 9375 2555
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café
VIVA 26 Puckle St Moonee Ponds
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Puckle Street
NewsAgency 45 Puckle St Moonee Ponds Tel: 9375 2264
And a special thanks to The Hon. Judy Maddigan MP (Member for Essendon) for her time and generous support, before the first “Save Our Sash” T-Shirt was produced.
Cheers.
LINKS:
www.essendonfc.com.au
www.afl.com.au
www.ayrrugbyclub.co.uk
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used for illustrative purposes only |
