The Rochester Football Netball Club, nicknamed the ''Tigers'', is an Australian rules football and

netball Netball is a ball sport played on a court by two teams of seven players. It is among a rare number of sports which have been created exclusively for female competitors. The sport is played on indoor and outdoor netball courts and is specifical ...

club, formed at a meeting held on 8 June 1874 at Tidy's Restdown Hotel. The club was formed with the purpose of soon "playing and beating

Echuca Echuca ( ) is a town on the banks of the Murray River and Campaspe River in Victoria, Australia. The border town of Moama is adjacent on the northern side of the Murray River in New South Wales. Echuca is the administrative centre and larges ...

". An intense rivalry that has endured ever since regardless of which competition each was playing in. Rochester FNC is based in the town of

Rochester Rochester may refer to: Places Australia * Rochester, Victoria Canada * Rochester, Alberta United Kingdom *Rochester, Kent ** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area ** History of Rochester, Kent ** HM Prison ...

, Victoria. Its teams currently play in the Goulburn Valley League, where Rochester played for the first time in 1913.

History

The Rochester Football Club was formed in 1874 at Tidy's Rest Down Hotel, Rochester, with a committee elected and players resolved to practice with the intention of beating Echuca. On 1 June 1877 at Oliver's Cafe the Victorian Football Association was formed, with Rochester FC being one of the foundation clubs. Between 1874 and 1889 (apart from 1877 in the VFA), there appears to be no evidence that Rochester played in any formal football competitions, but did play some friendly matches against local teams in most years, with regular matches against Echuca. Rochester played in the Echuca District Football Association against Echuca, Echuca East and Cummeragunja in 1890. From 1891 to 1893, Rochester played in the Northern District Football Association and in 1892, Rochester won the Aitken Football Premiership Trophy by finishing on top of the ladder, but were disqualified for playing a player without a permit, after a protest from Echuca. A grand final match was then arranged between Rochester and Echuca, but Rochester refused to attend and the premiership was awarded to Echuca. In 1893, Rochester were runners up to Echuca East for the Lyon & Sons Trophy. The Rochester Juniors were an official club in 1887 and played against Albion(Sandhurst FC Juniors). In 1903, Rochester had two teams that played in the Northern Districts Football Association - Rochester Hopetouns and Rochester Federals. In 1904, Rochester FC did not arrange their AGM until May and by that time there was already two other football club's formed in Rochester - Rochester Imperials and Rochester Federals FC. So the Rochester FC decided to go into recess for the 1904 season. Then in 1905, both Imperials and Federals merged to form one senior club and entered the Campaspe District Football Association. Rochester FC guernsey's colours in 1906 were blue with a red sash and played in the Northern District Football Association. In 1906 Rochester's 'new football oval area will measure about 2 3/4 acres, being 7 chains long, 5 broad and 19 in circumference. Outside this, about half a chain. A stout wire rope is to be placed to keen barrackers in their places'. In 1910, Rochester entered two teams - Ramblers and Rovers into the Football Association, with the Rovers winning the premiership. Rochester Rovers 3.6 - 24 lost the 1911 Rochester Football Association grand final to Digorra 4.3 - 27. In 1911, the Rochester DFA played the

Bendigo Football League The Bendigo Football Netball League (previously known as the Sandhurst Football Association, Bendigo and District Football Association, Bendigo Football Association and Bendigo Football League) is an Australian rules football and netball comp ...

in a match at the Upper Reserve (

Queen Elizabeth Oval Queen Elizabeth Oval is a sports stadium located in Bendigo, Australia primarily used for Australian rules football and cricket. History Cricket The Oval, originally known as Upper Reserve, hosted touring cricket teams as early as 1897. The ...

), with Bendigo: 2.12 - 24 defeating Rochester: 1.6 - 12. In 1912, the Rochester DFA played the

in a match at the Upper Reserve (

), with the match resulting in a draw, with the scores 6.6 - 42 each. More than 20 Rochester players joined the war effort in 1915, and some never came home. William Campbell, Cyril Downe, William Edwards, Victor Lamb, Norman Rae, Vincent & Donald McInnes, Patrick Morrissey, Sam Sherlock all died in

World War One World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. In 1920, Bamawm: 4.7 - 31 defeated Rochester Imperials: 2.6 - 18 to win the Rochester & District Football Association. In 1922, Rochester defeated Bamawn in the final, but Bamawn as minor premiers challenged Rochester to a grand final, in which Rochester won. From 1933 to 1935, there was a Rochester Rovers FC that played in the Echuca District Football League. A Rochester Football Association was formed in 1938 from the following clubs - Methodists, Naneella, Presbyterians, Rochester and St. Joseph's.

Goulburn Valley FNL

;1913 & 1914 and 1973 to 2021 Rochester entered the Goulburn Valley FL for the 1913 season; they were eventually runner-up to Shepparton. The following year, they defeated Echuca in the Grand Final. With the outbreak of

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

, the Goulburn Valley FL did not reform in 1915, so Rochester entered the Bendigo FL. ;1990's The 1990s was a successful period, culminating in six senior grand final berths. Both seniors and reserves made the grand final in 1990, but both teams lost. The seniors made the grand final in 1992, defeating Tatura by two points in wet conditions. They made the grand final again in 1993, but was defeated by Shepparton in controversial circumstances by a kick after the siren. Rochester participated in a night series Centenary celebration of the GVFL. Rochester won the preliminary games and then defeated Tatura in the final. Anthony McPhee kicked a goal from 40m near the siren to put Rochester 5 points ahead. In 2008 they beat Seymour for the premiership cup denying Seymour the chance of winning 4 cups in a row.

Bendigo FL

;1915, 1923 to 1941, 1946 to 1971 When the

Goulburn Valley Football League The Goulburn Valley Football Netball League is an Australian rules football and netball competition based in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria, Australia. It is a member of the Victorian Country Football League and has won the Victorian ...

went into recess in 1915, Rochester joined the

. In April 1915, Rochester FC ordered 25 black colored guernseys, with a red band, prior to joining the

. In July 1915, Rochester withdrew from the

(BFL) due to the pressure of fielding a team each week, due to many young players encouraged to and enlisting in the Australian Army. After four years in the Rochester District Football Association, playing against Bamawan, Nanneella, Rochester’s two teams, Imperials and Rovers merged and Rochester FC returned to the BFL in 1923. In 1924, Rochester's James Doyle finished second in the goal kicking tally with 61 goals. In 1923 Rochester won the Minor Premiership in the Bendigo FL, but lost the grand final to Sandhurst, then in 1924, Eaglehawk defeated Rochester in the grand final. In 1926, Rochester finished sixth on the ladder and collected the wooden spoon, with four wins for the season. Rochester did not win a game during the 1928 BFL season. Former

South Melbourne South Melbourne is an inner suburb in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia, 3 km south of Melbourne's Melbourne central business district, Central Business District, located within the City of Port Phillip Local government ...

player, Bill Berryman was appointed as captain-coach in 1929, at £10 per week and recorded their first win for the year against Echuca on Saturday, 1 June 1929, recording only two wins for the season. Former player, W Slattery coached Rochester in 1931. In 1933, Rochester's Ted Hooper played his 98th consecutive game and was presented with an eight day clock! In early 1934, 24 year old, Ted Hooper played his 100th consecutive game for Rochester, capping it off with three goals.

George Ogilvie George Buchan Ogilvie (5 March 1931 – 5 April 2020) was a prolific Australian theatre director A theatre director or stage director is a professional in the theatre field who oversees and orchestrates the mounting of a theatre production ...

coached Echuca from 1930 to 1933, then played with Rochester in 1934, then took over as captain-coach from 1935 to 1937. In 1940, Rochester commenced playing in the BFL, but in June, the four rural clubs - Echuca East, Kyneton, Maryborough and Rochester were forced out of the competition, due to the expense involved in playing. The four Bendigo based teams remained in the competition. In late 1956, former Melbourne player, Noel McMahen was appointed as captain-coach for six years at £1,000.00 per season. Noel McMahen's era as coach was very successful for the Rochester Demons. In 1957, Rochester made the finals in his first season coaching the club. In the 1958 Grand Final, Rochester were Premiers defeating Castlemaine, winning their first Premiership in the Bendigo Football League. In 1959, Rochester were Premiers defeating Kyneton. In the 1960 Grand Final, Rochester were defeated by Kyneton. In the 1961 Grand Final, Rochester were defeated by Kyneton. Noel returned to the city in 1962 to coach South Melbourne for 3 years, however brought South Melbourne to Rochester for a practice preseason game. Ironically, it was this team's only loss for the year! The 1962 Rochester Demons were Premiers & Champions, defeating Golden Square in the Grand Final. In 1963, Rochester were Premiers defeating Kyneton, their last Premiership in the Bendigo FL. In the 1964 Grand Final, Rochester were defeated by Golden Square. In the 1965 Grand Final, Rochester were defeated by Golden Square. By 1971, Rochester was being woo-ed by the Goulburn Valley FL, as it was keen to expand, but the Bendigo FL refused a clearance. In 1971, Rochester made the first semi-final played against Echuca at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in the Heart of Bendigo but Rochester wanted the game at their home ground, but the BFL board disagreed, the game went ahead at the QEO and Rochester lost the game to Echuca. The club went into recess for the 1972 season. It commenced with the GVFL in 1973, changing from its red and black colours to black and yellow.

Football competitions timeline

*1877 -

Victorian Football Association The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football league in Australia serving as one of the second-tier regional semi-professional competitions which sit underneath the fully professional Australian Football League (AFL). I ...

*1890 - Echuca District Football Association *1891 - Northern District Football Association / Sternberg's Football Trophy *1892 - Northern District Football Association / Aitken Football Trophy *1893 - Northern District Football Association / Lyon & Son’s Football Trophy *1894 - Northern District Football Association *1894 to 1900 - No evidence that Rochester played in any official competitions, but did play some friendly matches against local teams in most years. *1900 & 1901 - Northern District Football Association / McMaster's (Hotel) Football Trophy *1902 & 1903 - Northern District Football Association *1904 - Club in recess. Rochester Federals & Rochester Imperials played in the Campaspe District Football Association in 1904. *1905 - Campaspe District Football Association *1906 - Northern District Football Association *1907 - Campaspe District Football Association - Holmes Trophy *1908 - Echuca District Football Association *1909 - Campaspe Valley District Football Association *1910 & 1911 - Rochester District Football Association *1912 - No formal football competition. Rochester did play several matches against other local towns. *1913 & 1914 -

*1915 -

*1916 to 1918 - Club in recess due to

*1919 to 1922 - Rochester District Football Association *1923 to 1941 -

*1942 & 1943 - Club in recess due to

World War Two World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

*1944 & 1945 - Campaspe Valley Wartime Football League *1946 to 1971 -

*1972 - Club in recess *1973 to 2019 -

*2020 - Club in recess. Covid 19 *2021 -

Football Premierships

;Seniors ;Reserves *

- 1953, 1958 *

- Nil ;Thirds / Under 18's *

- 1996

Football League Best & Fairest Winners

;Seniors *

: Fred Wood Medal *1930 – Len Major Major played with the

Carlton Football Club The Carlton Football Club, nicknamed the Blues, is a professional Australian rules football club that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL), the sport's top professional competition. Founded in 1864 in Carlton, an inner suburb of ...

Reserves in 1931. *1931 – Alf "Digger" Firmer *1934 – Dave Fraser *1935 – Ern "Dooley" Major T R Davies Medal *1947 – Herb Zegelin *1950 – Herb Zegelin Jack Michelsen Medal *1956 – Frank Fitzpatrick *1957 – Frank Fitzpatrick *1961 – Frank Maxwell *1962 –

Ray Willett Ray Willett (born 22 August 1941) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1960s. Willett, recruited from Greensborough and Northcote High School, played in Collingw ...

*1970 – Kevin Shinners *

: Morrison Medal *1988 – Mick Keenan *1994 – Phillip "Toot" Morgan *2011 – Guy Campbell *2015 – Ashley Watson ;Reserves *

**1967 - Jim Sutton **1968 - John Hepworth *

: Abikhair Medal **1987 - F Lee **2004 - N Whipp **2012 - Brodie Montague ;Thirds / Under 18 *

**1960 - Barry Rainbird *

Goulburn Valley Football Netball League The Goulburn Valley Football Netball League is an Australian rules football and netball competition based in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria, Australia. It is a member of the Victorian Country Football League and has won the Victorian ...

: Pattison Medal **1976 - B Pearson **1992 - B Speers **2004 - J Spizzica **2009 - Scott Oakley

Most Games

Senior Football *410 - Anthony "Tank" McPhee (a GVFNL record) *302 - Bruce Watson *300+ - Simon McCarty

VFL / AFL Players

The following footballers played for Rochester FC prior to making their VFL / AFL debut & / or drafted to an AFL club. *1912 - Paddy Mills - Carlton. Mills returned to the VFL & played with Carlton on Saturdays & with Rochester on Wednesdays in 1912 & 13. *1914 -

Harold Bennett Harold Frank Bennett (17 November 1898 – 11 September 1981) was an English actor, active in stage, television and film best remembered for being in sitcoms written and produced by David Croft, having played 'Young Mr. Grace' in the 1970s Bri ...

- South Melbourne *1920 - Kevin Duffy - St. Kilda *1922 - Rowley Watt - Essendon *1924 - Gerry Beare - Richmond *1925 -

Basil McCormack Basil Milton McCormack (3 August 1904 – 19 February 1973) was an Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League (VFL) between 1925 and 1936 for the Richmond Football Club. Family The son of Michael McCormack and ...

- Richmond *1927 - Bruce Curruthers - Essendon *1929 -

Bill Lever William George Hulme Lever (20 April 1904 – 25 September 1986) was a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Family The son of William Lever (1877–1909) and Sophia Amelia Lever (18 ...

- Carlton *1930 - Ron Martin - South Melbourne *1932 -

Leslie Watt Leslie Watt (17 September 1924 – 15 November 1996) was a New Zealand cricketer who played one Test for New Zealand, against England in March 1955. Cricket career In first-class cricket Watt played 48 matches between 1942-43 and 1962-63, mak ...

- Collingwood *1937 -

Hugh Murnane Hugh Richard Murnane (29 October 1916 – 13 March 1974) was a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL), who was widely regarded as the recruit of the year in 1937. Footbal ...

- Melbourne *1938 - Chris Lamborn - North Melbourne *1938 - Peter Paterson - Essendon *1939 -

Charlie Van Der Bist Charlie Van Der Bist (15 June 1915 – 6 May 1970) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Originally from Rochester, he played with Mordialloc in 1938, winning the Frankston (Feder ...

- Hawthorn *1940 - Kevin Barrett - Collingwood *1940 - Adrian Dullard - Melbourne *1944 -

Des Nisbet John Desmond Nisbet (29 October 1921 – 29 November 2004) was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Nisbet, a defender, was originally from Rochester and also played football at Caulf ...

- St. Kilda *1945 - Bruce Edge - Melbourne *1952 - Allen Rodgers - Footscray *1957 - Geoff Dupuy - Hawthorn *1958 - Frank Fitzpatrick - Geelong *1962 -

Ken Colvin Kenneth John Colvin (30 November 1938 – 17 November 2021) was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Colvin died from COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-1 ...

- South Melbourne *1965 -

John Williams John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932)Nylund, Rob (15 November 2022)Classic Connection review '' WBOI'' ("For the second time this year, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic honored American composer, conductor, and arranger John Williams, who w ...

- Essendon *1983 - David Williams - Melbourne *1988 - Simon McCarty - North Melbourne. 1988 - VFL Draft, No. 46 *1990 - Glyn Tomlinson - Geelong. 1990 - AFL Draft, No. 43 *1992 - Matthew Febey - Melbourne *2017 - Joe Atley - Port Adelaide The following footballers played VFL / AFL football prior to making their debut with the Rochester FC. The year indicates their debut season at Rochester. *1911 - Paddy Mills - Melbourne *1924 - Clyde Smith - Collingwood *1927 - Rex De Garis - St. Kilda *1929 - Bill Berryman - South Melbourne *1930 - Danny Warr - St. Kilda *1934 - George Ogilvie Junior - Richmond *1949 -

Harry Hickey Henry Robert Hickey (19 July 1917 – 14 September 1999) was an Australian rules footballer who played with the Footscray Bulldogs in the Victorian Football League. He began his career as a rover and half forward flanker before he moved into t ...

- Footscray *1953 -

Noel Jarvis Noel Jarvis (12 December 1924 – 14 February 1975) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Jarvis played as a wingman and won premierships in both the Seniors and Reserves with Fitzroy ...

- Fitzroy *1955 - Roy Files - North Melbourne *1955 - Jim Wilson - Melbourne *1957 - Noel McMahen - Melbourne *1958 -

Les Pridham Leslie Glyndwr Pridham (30 December 1937 – 19 February 2021) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Pridham, a rover, made his way into the Essendon team from East Sandringham. He ...

- Essendon *1959 - Geoff Barber - Essendon *1961 -

Con O'Toole Cornelius "Con" O'Toole (25 February 1930 – 2 April 2011) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). O'Toole, a ruckman from Ultima, was a member of Melbourne's 1949 reserves premier ...

- Melbourne *1962 -

- Collingwood *1964 - Trevor Randall - Hawthorn *1968 - Don Keyter - South Melbourne *1970 - Kevin Shinners - Richmond *1979 -

Geoff Rosenow Geoffrey Mervyn "Tex" Rosenow (1 February 1942 – 25 March 1999) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1960s. Rosenow missed out on playing in Geelong's 1963 premiership ...

- Geelong *1992 -

Jamie Duursma Jamie Duursma (born 14 November 1963) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Sydney Swans, Brisbane Bears and Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the late 1980s. Duursma, after a stint with the Hawtho ...

- Melbourne

Club Honourboard

References

External links

Rochester FNC Twitter page

Rochester FNC Facebook page

Rochester FNC SportsTG site

Rochester FNC Team App

Goulburn Valley Football Netball League

Bendigo Football Netball League

1908 - Campaspe Valley Football Association Premiers: Rochester Juniors FC team photo

1914 - Goulburn Valley Football League Premiers: Rochester FC team photo

1915 - Football photos at Rochester

1930 - Rochester FC & Sandhurst FC team photos

1932 - Eaglehawk FC & Rochester FC team photos

1949 - Bendigo Football League, defeated Preliminary Finalist team - Rochester FC team photo

1952 - Football Club ball photos at Rochester

1952 - Boort Football Carnival: Rochester FC team photo

1962 - Bendigo Football League Premiers: Rochester FC team photo
{{Goulburn Valley Football League 1874 establishments in Australia Sports clubs established in 1874 Australian rules football clubs established in 1874 Bendigo Football League clubs Goulburn Valley Football League clubs Netball teams in Victoria (Australia)