Players and officials from the drought-breaking 1995 Premiership came together on Saturday to celebrate 20 years since that historic day for the Hampton Rovers Football Club.
The majority of the team was in attendance along with officials and icons of the club for the big home game lunch prior to the seniors clash against St Kevin’s Old Boys.
First to speak was the captain that day, Chip Le Grand, who recalled Donny’s motivational speeches from throughout the year. 1995 President David Combe spoke about what it meant to the club and how the year panned out, while Premiership Coach Donny Scarlett recounted some great stories from the successful year.
The Premiership was the club’s first senior flag since A Section in 1951 – a 44 year drought broken for the club. Thankfully it hasn’t been as long between drinks since then, with a further four senior VAFA premierships won since.
Following the lunch, the Seniors took on undefeated St Kevin’s and they put in a great effort, restricting the ladder leaders to their lowest score of the season. In the end it was a 20-point win to the visitors but the players did the club proud and the past players were impressed with the quality of the game.
It was great to see so many past players at the club, and it continued after the main game with the 2015 Past Players Function. The vibe inside the Wright-Scarlett Pavilion was fantastic.
The club is currently working to improve its database of past players and members. In the meantime we encourage everyone to sign-up to the Hampton Rovers Newsletter to receive the latest news and notification of events. Click here to register now >
Big lunch at the Boss today to celebrate the 1995 Premiership. Great to see so many familiar faces! #gorovers pic.twitter.com/1tlHpqCuAc
— Hampton Rovers FC (@HRAFC) July 25, 2015
1995 Premiership captain Chip Le Grand entertaining the crowd @Melbchief pic.twitter.com/oVSBJhOP9m
— Hampton Rovers FC (@HRAFC) July 25, 2015
1995 President David Combe with 2015 President Matthew Gray. Great memories! pic.twitter.com/jE3h1dWi0i
— Hampton Rovers FC (@HRAFC) July 25, 2015
And the ’95 Premiership coach Don Scarlett pic.twitter.com/TFi3dmvb4m
— Hampton Rovers FC (@HRAFC) July 25, 2015
Great to have the 1995 Premiership team in the rooms as Marto gives his final instructions #gorovers pic.twitter.com/GY61dN4DaE
— Hampton Rovers FC (@HRAFC) July 25, 2015
1995 HAMPTON ROVERS PREMIERSHIP TEAM
Chip LeGrand (Captain), Mark Crawford, Chris Scarlett, Steve Anderson, Matt McKellar, Alf Panagiotitus, Steve Helliger, Michael Fletcher, Stuart McDonald, Nick Sher, Steve Morgan, Robbie Melnjak, Eddie Melnjak, Joel Day, Doug Hobson, Phil Amoore, Anthony Hullick, Troy Wright, Anthony Natoli, Simon Blick, Drew Anderson, Heath Tregear, Rhys Tryell, Denver Artz, Dean Marshall.
OFFICIALS: Don Scarlett (Coach), Anthony Naumoff (Runner), Dave Combe (President), Peter Wolfe (Team Manager), Graeme Amoore (Trainer), Mackay Anderson (Trainer), Roy Landrighan (Trainer), Max Grimmer (Trainer), Kevin Pearce (Time Keeper), Alan Hill (Goal Umpire), Jason Cave (Interchange), Ian Cave & Steve Johnson (Match Commentators).
RELATED NEWS: 1995 the start of a great era – by David Combe
