HISTORY | Willunga Demons WFC

WFC HISTORY

Willunga Football Club | Proudly established 1874

Willunga Football Club’s roots stretch back to May 29, 1874, when a meeting in Willunga saw the club officially formed.

At this meeting, it was decided that the club would play with a blue cap, use the Adelaide Football Club rules and join an association if one was formed.

The first President appointed was Captain Thomas Atkinson who had moved into the district to farm.

He was a farmer, businessman and politician, representing the area in the SA Parliament - he also built the original Bush Inn, which still stands on High Street in Willunga today.

In 1877, the club was invited to the inaugural meeting of the South Australian Football Association (SAFA) - a precursor to the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).

The travel distance to Adelaide, however, proved too far, with Willunga declining to join.

A little closer to home, in 1886 Willunga became a founding member of the Southern Football Association (SFA), lining up alongside Aldinga, McLaren Vale and Sellicks Hill.

Fixtures within this competition included matches against these three SFA clubs, as well as various clubs from other Associations.

By 1892 the Willunga side was in excellent form, proudly proclaiming itself “Premiers of the South” having played eight first-class matches that resulted in six victories and two draws.

When the Southern Football Association introduced a finals series in 1893, Willunga made an immediate statement - claiming the premiership in each of the first three seasons.

The club remained a member of the Southern Football Association, later renamed the Southern Football League, through to the end of 1985, transferring to the Great Southern Football League for the 1986 season - ironically the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Southern Football League.

A move to the Great Southern League had actually been approved in 1976, but a late amendment to the Southern League’s constitution blocked the transfer at the time.

Today, Willunga continues to field both senior and junior teams in the Great Southern Football League.

Over the years, the club has also proudly produced a number of AFL/VFL players, among them Randall Bone (Adelaide, Hawthorn), Ben Thompson (St Kilda) and Tom Waye (Footscray).

Another beloved player, Hendrick “Taffy” Waye used to ride 25 miles on horseback to play with Sturt, and was awarded the prestigious Magarey Medal in 1903. Alongside this, he was also named in both Sturt's official "Team of the Century" and the Southern Football League's 125th anniversary team, and inducted into both the Willunga Football Club and Southern Football League's Hall of Fame.

In fact, Taffy’s reputation preceded him.

So well-renowned was he, that rival clubs were often relieved if they spotted him passing through McLaren Vale on a Saturday morning - they could breathe easier knowing he wouldn’t be suiting up against them that day!

WFC TIMELINE

Take a journey through time to discover the rich history of the Willunga Football Club.

14 & 21 May 1872	First recorded football at Willunga: a two-day match v Aldinga, plus a 'bachelors-versus-married men' game at the foot of Willunga Hill. Also the first use of 'Willunga Football Club' name.
29 May 1874	Willunga Football Club officially formed; blue cap adopted, Adelaide FC rules chosen, Captain Thomas Atkinson elected first President.
1876	The oval was established, with grass from Lasscocks.
1877	Club representatives attend the founding meeting of the SAFA (later SANFL) but decline to join because of travel distance.
1878	Willunga players take part in a Country v Adelaide FC match alongside Gawler and Kapunda.
1886	Southern Football Association (SFA) established; Willunga a foundation member with Aldinga, McLaren Vale and Sellicks Hill.
1892-1895	Four consecutive SFA premierships (unofficial premiers in 1892, prior to official finals being held).
1897-1899	Three consecutive premierships; SFL fixtures now include Victor Harbor, West Adelaide, Yankalilla and Wanderers.
1901-1904	Four consecutive premierships.
1903	Hendrick “Taffy” Waye wins the prestigious Magarey Medal playing for Sturt. Willunga Oval Pavillion (grandstand) opened.
1909-1912	Fourth streak of four consecutive premierships.
1913-1918	Competition suspended for World War I.
1919	Premiership secured on the league’s resumption.
1926-1936	Maurice “Spog” Corbett plays 229 games, collecting six President’s Medals (between 1926-36) and the 1926 Junior Medal. Today, Corbett is recognised in the SFL Hall of Fame.
1928 & 1930	Ron Branson wins the President’s Medal for Willunga (adds a third later with Hillside).
1936	Jimmie Little debuts; captains in 1939-40, wins Association Medals both years before leaving for WWII service (sadly, he did not make it home).
1937	New change rooms opened by HS "Taffy" Waye, and pavillion renovated
1939	Jim Little wins Association Medal with record votes.
1940	Jim Little gets highest points for Club B&F and Association Medal. Rules said Little could not win both so Club B&F awarded to M Corbett. Season was shortened due to the war.
1941-1945	Competition again suspended for World War II.
1948-1952	Five consecutive premierships.
1954-1956	Three consecutive premierships.
1959	Dennis Rattigan wins the Mail Medal (League Best & Fairest).
1966-1968	Richard Croser claims three successive Mail Medals (League Best & Fairest).
1973	Wayne Potter wins the Mail Medal (League Best & Fairest).
1976	Planned switch to the Great Southern Football League (GSFL), blocked by a late Southern League rule change.
1979	Peter Jeffrey wins the Mail Medal (League Best & Fairest).
1982	Sports and social club rooms opened.
1985	Final season in the Southern Football League.
1986	Club joins the GSFL (after playing 100 seasons in Southern League) and wins the premiership.
1998	GSFL premiership.
1999	Ben Baxter wins the Mail Medal (League Best & Fairest).
2000	New change rooms opened.
2001	Adam Carnevale wins the Mail Medal (League Best & Fairest).
2003	Barry Pilmore appointed Senior Coach.
2004-2009	Six consecutive GSFL premierships; 41-game winning streak between 2005-07.
2012	Mitch Portlock wins the Mail Medal (League Best & Fairest).
2016	Sean Beath wins the Mail Medal (League Best & Fairest). Sam McGowan becomes the first to play 300 "A" grade games for WFC.
2018	GSFL introduces a women’s competition; Willunga fields teams in every grade.
2019	Daniel Bass wins the Mail Medal (League Best & Fairest).
2021-2023	Women’s A-grade win three consecutive premierships.
2024	Willunga Football Club celebrates it’s 150th anniversary year. Jess Kirk becomes Willunga’s first female Senior Association Best & Fairest.

FUN FACT

Willunga Football Club's premiership strike rate now averages one flag every three seasons (winning 10 GSFL premierships from 22 grand-final appearances since 1986).