THE Daysdale Football Club may not have run out on to the field as a single entity for nearly 20 years, but it will never be forgotten.
The Magpies famously rose from last in 1993 to break a 30-year premiership drought when they won the Coreen and District Football League premiership in their centenary year in 1994.
The club had not even challenged for the finals since losing the 1977 grand final by three points in heartbreaking circumstances.
But it won its last nine matches of the season under captain-coach Phil Godde, defeating Coleambally by 35 points in the grand final at Buraja on one of the most emotional days in its history.
The victory came almost 30 years to the day after one of the Magpies’ two great eras reached its peak when coach George Macfarlane and captain Don Rhodes led them to a third premiership in four years in 1964.
Daysdale merged with neighbours Coreen at the end of 1995, and now plays as CDHBU in the Hume league after the Coreen league disbanded in 2007.
The Magpies’ spirit, however, lives on.
A host of premiership heroes from both teams will return to their old stomping ground on the weekend of May 24 to 25 for a 20 and 50-year premiership reunion.
Saturday’s activities start at 1pm with a barbecue and get-together before heading to the hotel at 4pm to view memorabilia and trophies.
The two flags will be raised at 6pm at the Daysdale Hall, followed by a meal at 6.30pm and a night of festivities which will include a screening of the 1994 grand final.
Sunday will be a recovery day and a chance to relive more great stories.
Daysdale’s netballers haven’t been forgotten, with the 1985 A-grade premiership team coached by Noreen Norman and captained by Anne Mardling to also be celebrated, along with the 1990 and 1993 A-reserve and 1987-88 junior flags.
And there’ll be a welcome for members of the club’s foundation teams from 1972.
The reunion committee has issued an open invitation to all members of the above teams, as well as players and supporters from any era, to head to Daysdale for the event, with a bus to run to and from Corowa and caravan and camping facilities available at Daysdale.
Bookings are essential for the Saturday night meal and can be made by phoning Alan Norman on 0419 465 631 or (02) 6033 2570.
Last Modified on 23/04/2014 09:15