ADJFA - Over the next month the Ararat Advertiser is detailing the history of the four founding clubs of the Ararat and District Junior Football Association.
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Local sporting historian Michael Spalding is looking to gather lost information from the competition and is asking for help from any residents who may know the names of various people who held roles with the clubs during the 52-year history of the ADJFA.
Bombers are the most successful of the Ararat and District Football Association teams, having won 25 premierships (nine under-16 and 16 under-13) since its inception 1960.
It is the only club in the ADJFA to win four under-16 premierships in a row (1966-69), and the club is also the only one to repeat the feat in the under-13 competition from 1997-2000.
Ern Davis was the founding president of Bombers and served the role for five years, while Michael Hooper is the longest serving president at the club after a six year term from 1984-89.
Michael Spalding is seeking the names of Bombers' presidents in 1991, '94-96, '06-08. He is also missing the names of vice presidents in 1991-92, '94-96, '06-08.
Neil Turner was awarded a Bombers life membership in 1989 following his nine year service as both secretary and treasurer, the longest amount of seasons in both roles at the club.
Missing secretary and treasurer years include 1991-92, '94-1996, '06-08.
George Ralph was Bombers' longest serving under-16 coach, with 10 seasons under his belt.
During his decade at the club Ralph coached two premierships and a number of talented players including Garry Todd (club best and fairest 1972), Michael Hogan ('74-75), Phil Davies ('76) and Ricky Ralph ('77).
Mr Spalding is seeking the names of under-16 coaches in 1983-84, '93-94 and '96, under-16 captains in 1992, '94, '96 and the under-16 best and fairest in 1994.
Bombers have enjoyed plenty of success in the under-13 competition, with George Ralph (1985-1989) again the longest known serving coach, sharing the honour with founding coach Bert Davies (1960-64).
Some of Bombers' under-13 league best and fairest winners include Ben Harrison (2000), Ben Smith ('98), Nick Corbett ('97), Adrian Dohnt (91) and Michael North ('80).
Names are needed for the under-13 coaching role for the following years 1992-95, '98-00; under-13 captains from 1963-64, '66-68, 70, '92-95 and '99-08; under-13 club best and fairest winners in 1967, '99-04 and 06-07.
A complete list of Bombers Football Club's history, along with the other teams in the ADJFA can be found at the Ararat YMCA.
If anyone knows the names of people who held the various positions during the listed years please contact Michael Spalding on 5352 4308.
Next Friday - Mounties Football Club history.