The Doncaster Ramblers Football Club

 A recent addition to the Doncaster Templestowe collection of photographs was that of the Doncaster Ramblers football team. It showed twenty-one men and boys in football gear posing in a typical team photograph. The players appear to be mainly young boys and men, with only a few older aged players. Many are wearing what appears to be the team jumper that has a light-coloured sash or stripe running from over one shoulder and across the front of the jumper. The sitting players at the front are wearing either long pants or knickerbocker type shorts. An older aged player in the front centre is holding a football that has the name “Ramblers” and the date “1909” written on the ball which gives a date to the photograph. 

The Doncaster Ramblers Football Team 1909. Ref: DTHS DP1783

But little is known around the existence of the Doncaster Ramblers football team. Luckily a search in the National Library of Australia digital library “Trove” of old newspapers was able to provide some information, although limited.  

From a search of “Trove”, it was found that from the late 1880’s, and not only in Victoria, many townships and at times businesses formed sporting teams (both football and cricket) with the name “Ramblers”.  While no clear reference to the basis of the name was found in “Trove” or elsewhere, there is some evidence that such teams were possibly not always part of an established district competition or league and were made up of local players that also played matches against other non-local teams or “all-comer” teams. 

At the time, “The Reporter (Box Hill)” newspaper in its articles regularly reported on sporting actives in the district and some articles made mention of the Doncaster Ramblers and its matches. Locally, Box Hill also had a Ramblers football team and both Doncaster and Box Hill also appear to have had “Ramblers” cricket teams.

An article in the 30 July 1909 edition of The Reporter made mention of the establishment of the football club and its first match. It read: 

At a well-attended meeting of Doncaster East sports, held on Tuesday week, it was decided to form a club to be known as the Ramblers. Mr. Otto Kuhn was elected President; Mr. W. A. Webb, Vice-President; and Mr. J. Snell, Hon. Secretary. 

The newly formed club played its first game on Saturday, on the picturesque recreation reserve, against the North Carlton Baptists. A delightedly friendly encounter took place, resulting in a win for the visitors by 3 goals 2 behinds to 1 goal 12 behinds. The Ramblers put up a very fair performance on their first essay. When they get a grip of their proper places, and practice playing together it is just likely they may engage Collingwood should they happen to have an off day. Mr. Geo. Clark captained the locals, and amongst many others, J. McKinlay, Britt, Bulleen, and Halliday, not forgetting Jim Leber, showed to advantage. 

The most pleasing feature observable was the presence of a goodly number of lady supporters who encouraged their champions with might and main. Tomorrow the Ramblers meet either Templestowe or Blackburn on the reserve. [1]

The Ramblers home ground appeared to be the then Doncaster Recreation Reserve. In August 1909, the Secretary of the club J. Snell asked the Council for permission to play football on the Recreation Reserve which was granted, on motion of Crs. Zerbe and Cronan. [2]

The Reporter provided brief reports on a number of games in 1909 and 1910 involving the Doncaster Ramblers but it is not clear in its reporting how many games the Ramblers may have actually played. Those reported on were: 

• July 1909. The Ramblers played the North Carlton Baptists with the Baptists winning by 3 goals 2 behinds to 1 goal 12 behinds. [1]
• August 1909. The Ramblers met the Templestowe footballers in a match at Doncaster Recreation Reserve although scores were not given. [3]
• September 1909, the Ramblers defeated Carlton Baptists on Saturday by 2 goals 17 behinds (Ross 2), to 1 goal 9 behinds. The Ramblers were next to play the Doncaster competition team. [4]
• April 1910. The Ramblers played the Box Hill Rosebuds team. This match was played at Box Hill, and resulted in a win for Box Hill by 6 goals 5 behinds to 1 goal 7 behinds. The best players for Box Hill were J. Sweetland, J. Simpson, and T. Coons; for Doncaster, Britt, Snell, Mackinlay. The goals for the winners were kicked by Sweetland (2), Stephens (2), Barnard, and Simpson. [5]
• May 1910. The Ramblers were defeated by Templestowe 1.5 to 1.8. The friendly game between the above clubs on Saturday resulted in a win for Templestowe by the narrow margin of three points. The Ramblers led by a point in the first and second quarters, but Templestowe reversed that order of things in the third quarter, when they were ahead by one point. The final scores were, Templestowe, 1 goal 8 behinds; Doncaster Ramblers, 1 goal 5 behinds. The goal kickers were J. Sheahan for Templestowe, and A. Mahony for the Ramblers; whilst the most prominent players in the winning team were J. Sheahan. F. Smith, A. Bernard, J. Riddell, and B. Chivers. [6]
• November 1910. The match between the Doncaster Heights and the Doncaster Ramblers was postponed on account of the death of a Mr. Johnstone, whose sons are members of the Ramblers. It is intended to start the match early next Saturday, so as to play to a finish in one day if possible. [7]

However at the end of the 1910 season, a major dispute broke out between the Doncaster Ramblers and the Doncaster Football Club as to which club shall have the right to play on the Recreation Reserve during the next season's "Reporter" competition.  A meeting with Council in the Council Hall where both teams were lined up on either side of the hall became quite heated and accusations about “imported” non-local players being bought in by some clubs was angrily raised.

The Reporter newspaper edition of 11 November 1910 provided a detailed article on the dispute: 

Dispute Over Reserve. A dispute has arisen between the Doncaster football club and the Doncaster Ramblers Football Club as to which shall have the right to play on the Recreation Reserve during next season's "Reporter" competition, and the matter came before the Doncaster Council on Tuesday evening for consideration. 

At the previous meeting the Doncaster club had applied for permission to use the reserve, and the request was referred to the Reserves Committee for report. In the meantime, however, the Shire Secretary received a letter from J. McKinlay Hon. Secretary to the Ramblers' Club, asking permission to play on the Recreation Ground next season, and offering to donate £5 for the improvement of the ground. Both clubs were fully represented in the Council Chamber on Tuesday night, when the Reserves Committee presented its report. 

The report was as follows: -"We have gone into the applications of the Doncaster football clubs for the use of the Recreational Reserve for next football season, and have heard delegates from both clubs. The Ramblers state that they are all local players, and that they intend entering for the "Reporter" competition next year. They are willing to contribute £5 and a little labour towards the improvement of the ground. Doncaster Club is willing to clear away the pine trees to make the ground suitable for football, and ask permission to make a charge for a few games or to make a collection, the money to be handed over to pay expenses in improving the ground. It was thought that it might be arranged that both clubs could use the ground, so that when one club was playing on the Recreation Reserve the other club could play on the other ground. It was left to the delegates to see if that could be arranged. 

The Ramblers were lined up on one side of the hall, and the Doncaster Club faced them from the other side, and the fun began. Mr. Britt, for the Ramblers, said that he had seen Mr. Hodges, the President of the Association, who expressed the opinion that the suggestion that the two clubs should play alternately on the reserve could be carried out. Mr. Clay spoke for the other side. He said he had not been able to interview Mr. Hodges, but he had seen two other delegates, who stated that next season's competition would be in one section, and they therefore could not see how the Committee's suggestion could be adopted. The Doncaster team, Mr. Clay said, would not agree to the alternative arrangement, and unless they were given the sole right to the Reserve, they would remain on the hotel ground. They were the senior team, and they thought they had a right to the Reserve. It would be impossible for the two teams to play on the ground, as both would want to use the training room at the one time. 

Cr. Tully urged the clubs to endeavour to come to an amicable arrangement, a sentiment which was endorsed by the President Mr Hodges. The President added that his idea was that a district club should be composed of purely district players, but other people seemed to hold a different opinion, and the practice of "importing" players had been resorted to. The result was that local players had had to stand down to allow outsiders to play, and that was the reason why the Ramblers' Club was formed. 

Mr. Plumb admitted that the Doncaster Club had "imported" a few men, but he defended the practice by pointing out that the only two teams in the "Reporter" competition who had played only local men (Croydon and Warrandyte) were at the bottom of the list, whilst Blackburn had won the premiership with a team more than half of which was "imported," and there was more enthusiasm at Blackburn this year than ever before. Some desultory discussion ensued, and some lukewarm comments were exchanged. 

Cr. Tully eventually moved that the matter be deferred for a month the hope that the matter be resolved between the two clubs. He thought it better for a club to play only local men and be beaten than to "import" players and win. He did not know that there was much credit in Blackburn's victory if half their team had been "imported." Cr. Clay seconded the motion, and it was carried, notwithstanding that representatives of both clubs asked that the matter should be definitely settled there and then. [8]

The dispute about playing imported players had hit a nerve and drew an angry response from the Honorary secretary of the Blackburn Football Club Mr F. Gromann. His letter published in the 25 November edition of the Reporter read:  

DONCASTER FOOTBALL DISPUTE. To the Editor. Sir, --Re your report of the above, I wish to state the true facts as to the "imported" players in the Blackburn Football Club. Of the team that met Camberwell in the final match and won the premiership, three men only were non-resident in the district, namely, Bob Spavin, F. Pippard, and J. Bruce, all three having joined the Club while it occupied a very low position, and have stuck to it through thick and thin till it occupies the proud position of premiers and champions, being the only team since the competition began to obtain that coveted distinction. 

Of the three reputed "imported" men, the former joined the Club five years ago, while the latter two joined two years later, having been attracted to the district by prospects of future happiness and bliss which always come to the brave and bold. By perusing the above-mentioned facts, it must appeal to all the sport loving community that the charges levelled against the Blackburn Football Club at the Council Meeting at Doncaster were ill advised and contrary to facts. Trusting that you will endeavour to find room to publish this letter. —Yours. &c., F. GROMANN, Hon. Sec., B.F.C. To the Editor. [9]

A week later, The Reporter published a letter in its 2 December 1910 of a response from Mr J. H. Plumb, Captain of the Doncaster Football Club explaining the Doncaster Football Club’s position on imported players. It read: 

Imported Footballers. To the Editor. Sir, —I crave space in your valuable paper to reply to Mr. F. Gromann's letter which appeared in your issue of last week. As Mr. Gromann probably read only the condensed report of the Doncaster Council Meeting, and as I made the remarks concerning the Blackburn Football Club, an explanation is therefore due to him. 

At the Council Meeting in question applications were received from the Doncaster football club and the Doncaster Ramblers' football club for permission to play football on the recreation reserve next season. Representatives of both clubs attended the meeting to put forward their claims. Hearing that the Ramblers were a purely local team some of the Councillors were under the impression that, if we (Doncaster F.C.) were to play local men only also, it would be far better for the district, and we would be supported much better by local people. 

I protested against this on the grounds that the public would far sooner support a strong team even if half of them were "imported" than they would a local team, which would naturally be a weak one. As an instance of this, I pointed out to them that a few years ago Blackburn played a purely local team, with the result that they were not very successful, and they did not get much local support. Now, I added, by playing "imported" men, they not only won the Premiership, but were supported by local people twice as much as they were when they played all local men. 

It was not my intention, Sir, to belittle the Blackburn Club's splendid performance in any sense of the word. I was upholding, rather than condemning, the practice of playing "imported" men. —Yours, &c., J. H. Plumb Capt. D.F.C., 1910. [10]

A few weeks later in December 1910, the Council met on the matter of use of the Recreation Reserve. On a motion moved by Cr. Tully and seconded by Cr. Clay it was agreed that the Doncaster Football Club be granted the use of the Reserve. Cr. Tully also commented that he hoped that the two clubs might arrange for one good team to be got together in Doncaster. 

An article in the 16 December 1910 edition of The Reporter on the matter read: 

Doncaster Footballers. Following the dash made by the Doncaster Ramblers to secure the Recreation Reserve for the matches during the "Reporter" District Football Competition of 1911, a deputation from the Doncaster Football Club waited on the Doncaster Council to definitely settle the question as to which team should have the use of the ground. 

Councillors previously had expressed the opinion that the two clubs should try to come to some arrangement between them, but Mr. Symonds, who spoke on behalf of the Doncaster Club, pointed out that it would not be suitable for both teams to have the use of the one ground, and according to hearsay, he understood that the Ramblers were not prepared to come to any terms whatever in this direction. Cr. Robinson interjected that the Ramblers had plainly stated to the Council that they were quite willing to confer with the Doncaster Club. Mr. Symonds continued that it was not the wish to the Doncaster Club to put the Ramblers off the ground, but they felt that the Council should determine who should have the right to use the Reserve. The Doncaster club were prepared to give £5 and assist in making improvements to the ground. 

Cr. Tully moved that the Doncaster football club be granted the use of the reserve. He had always advocated the appointment of delegates from the various clubs to meet the Reserves Committee and discuss the matter of improvements. Moreover, the government should be approached for a subsidy, and by the sporting clubs uniting with the Council there should be little difficulty in securing a grant. He was sorry the two clubs could not agree, and he hoped that the members would endeavour to set aside all friction and work amicably together, so that they might arrange for one good team to be got together in Doncaster. 

The motion was seconded by Cr. Clay and supported by Cr. Cronan and the President and carried. On Cr. Tully's proposition, it was resolved to ask the footballers to appoint delegates to confer with the reserves committee in the matter of improvements to the Reserve and making a charge at the gates. [11]

It is not known which ground the Ramblers may have subsequently used as there was no reporting during the 1911 season of any matches involving the Ramblers. But it is possible that the Club did play matches in 1911 as an article in the 20 October 1911 edition of The Reporter reported on a dance and party held by the Rambles at which trophies won by members for the last season were presented.  The article read: 

A euchre party and dance was held at the Doncaster Athenaeum on Friday, October 6, in connection with the Doncaster Ramblers' Football Club. The card prizes were won by Mrs. R. Clark (fruit stand) and Mr. J. Sheahan (silver tea pot). The trophies won by members of the team during last season were presented by Cr. A. Zerbe: —Mr. L. Britt (cake dish); Mr. B. Mahoney, goal kicking (gold medal) Mr. J. McKinlay, best all-round play (gold medal). Refreshments were distributed by Misses P. McKinlay. M. Zerbe, R. Leber, V. Clarke, and A. White. Mr. F. Tolloy officiated as M.C. for the dance, and Messrs. Leber and Duncan supplied the music. Mr. G. McKinlay carried out the secretarial arrangements satisfactorily. [12]

So possibly the Doncaster Ramblers were a short-lived football team from only 1909 to 1911. Did the Ramblers team and players unite with the Doncaster Football Club, did they play on unreported by The Reporter newspaper, or did they disband? 

Unfortunately, it’s another piece of Doncaster Templestowe history that has been lost to time. 

Sources:

1. The Reporter (Box Hill) – Friday 30 July 1909, p4 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90312361
2. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 27 August 1909, page 2 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89696910
3. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 27 August 1909, page 2 –  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89696910
4. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 17 September 1909, page 5 – http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89698833
5. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 29 April 1910, page 2 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89698256
6. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 13 May 1910, page 5 – http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89698600
7. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 18 November 1910, page 5 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89695176
8. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 11 November 1910, page 4 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89697178
9. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 25 November 1910, page 2 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89696141
10. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 2 December 1910, page 5 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89695673
11. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 16 December 1910, page 5 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89695420
12. The Reporter (Box Hill) - Friday 20 October 1911, page 4 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90368392

Author: Ian Schafter, DTHS April 2025