Southern Country Junior Football Association (SCJFA)
It’s unsure as to when the Association was either formed or when it ceased, but judging by those clubs below, there is a reasonable possibility that it may have been formed in the very early 1900’s.
The following clubs participated at varying times: Argyle Cadets, Brisbane Rovers, Crescent, Excelsior, Fitzroy, Glenorchy, Imperial, New Town, North Hobart Juniors, Sandy Bay, South Hobart, St. Georges, Standfast, Trinity, Union, Union Jack and West Hobart.
1866
First reported organised game in Hobart
The first newspaper report on an organised game played was when the Mercury gave a short account of a game played between New Town and the Hobart Town Football Club, on Saturday, 26th May 1866 at the Battery Ground in Hobart. The game was conducted over two Saturday’s with the match finishing in a tie, one goal apiece, and a Mr. G. Wright was New Town’s goal scorer. It was a rudimentary affair with each team providing voluntary people to act as umpires and there were no boundary umpires, so when the ball went ‘out-of-bounds’ the closest player to the ball would be deemed the person to throw the ball back into play. Sometimes it would be kicked into play.
1866
Very first reported game in Hobart
A club by the name of New Town was formed in 1864, albeit somewhat dubious as a ‘so called’ club. These were basically groups of men that made up teams that would in turn challenge each other to a game.
On 21st April 1866, 11 members of New Town Football Club played a team of 14 boys from the Hutchins School. The match was the first reported game by the Mercury Newspaper on Tuesday 24th April. The eleven played well considering their want of practice, and for the School, E. Nairn (captain) and J. Buckland, distinguished themselves in all points of the game, while the forward play of Nicholas, a little man, but a ‘big’ player, Fisher, Butler and O’Connor were worthy of mention.
1879
First season of the STFA
In the first season of the STFA there were only six roster matches played, with 15 players per team and New Town had a total of just 27 players to represent the club over the course of the season.
1879
First STFA roster match
City Football Club and New Town Football Club played the very first official game in 1879, under the banner of the STFA. The match took place on 21st June.
1881
First inter-colonial games
In July, Hotham (now North Melbourne) 4.18 (42) defeated a Northern Combined team 0.2 (2) in Launceston.
On Tuesday 5th July, Hotham came to Hobart to play a representative STFA team. The Association team was made-up of players selected from Country Teams namely, Oatlands and Richmond and Hobart based clubs North Hobart, Railway, Cricketers, City and New Town. The STFA won the match, its first win in an Inter-Colonial game 3.15 (33) to Hotham 2.16 (28).
1905
STFL Teams
Southern Tasmanian Football League, its three member clubs namely, New Town, Cananore and University.
1905
Question of New Town joining STFA
The matter of admitting New Town Football Club to the competition was discussed at length, and further consideration postponed pending more information from the suburban club.
1919
New Town reformed
New Town Football Club reformed.
1921
TFL adds fourth team
The TFL include a fourth club, New Town Football Club, into its ranks to complete an even competition, that automatically alleviated the bye of the previous three team competition.
A highlight was the positive result for first comer to the TFL where New Town Football Club won the opening match of the season.
1926
Interstate visits
Two VFL Clubs, Essendon and Carlton came to Hobart in 1926. Essendon played one match against the TFL. Carlton played local TFL club New Town. Game results were : TFL 6.12 (48) defeated Essendon 4.9 (33). After one of the best games seen in recent years Carlton ran out winners 16.10 (106) to New Town 12.8 (80)
South Australian club Norwood also arrived, but did not play a match.
1927
TANFL Best & Fairest
Ken Roberts of the New Town club, won the TANFL Best & Fairest award.
1928
TANFL Best & Fairest
George Cole of the New Town club won the TANFL Best & Fairest award the Wilson Bailey medal.
1957
New Town change of name
New Town changed its name to Glenorchy District Football Club.