Former 2nd 18 Player and keen Hawks supporter, Bill Harrison celebrated his 99th birthday on Friday March 6 by visiting the Hawks Museum to relive his time playing with the Mayblooms back in 1936 and 1937.
Accompanied by his extended family the spritely 99 year old was in his element reminiscing about his time with the Mayblooms, his recall of games, players was impressive leaving his audience spell bound with his never ending stories about his heroes of yesteryear.
The celebrations got off to a great start when Club great, Peter Knights presented Bill with a Hawks Guernsey complete with number 99. Bill was ecstatic. He then compared his new guernsey with the heavy woolen brown ones from his day with the gold ‘V’ … and how much he really liked the ‘Mustard Pots’ Guernsey when the colours were reversed gold with a brown ‘V’ in 1933.
He then asked could he see the team photos first from when he played. He recalled senior players, Teddy Pool, Leo Murphy, Bert Mills and Stan Spinks describing in detail their style of play, much to the amazement to the onlookers.
However his face really lit up when he saw former teammates that he played with in the 2nd 18. He recalled that he started the same time as the Albiston brothers Alec and Harold. He emphasized just how good Alec Albiston was as a rover, very fast, lots of courage and could kick a goal when needed to keep the team in the game then with a laugh Bill added he was a bit better than me and the other blokes in the team.
Other names of teammates that Bill recognized were ruckman Jim Oakes and Stuart Steward, full-forward Russ Elliot, back pocket Bill Pavey, the diminutive rover Bill Hurley and forwards Alf Clay and Tom Green. They all seemed to come to life as Bill recalled training nights, various games and their playing traits.
Moving to the Best & Fairest display he was somewhat overcome when he saw the photos of Bob Sellars, who won the award in 1928 and Tich Utting who won the award first in 1927 then again in 1929. He made it clear that these two players were very special to him.
He related that his father Edwin took him to Glenferrie when he was a four year old to see his first game and he could remember Utting when Hawthorn played in the VFA. Bill stressed just how good a player he was in the back pocket and how popular he was with the fans adding that Utting was his coach in 1936-37 and was always on hand to assist the younger players. He also recalled Utting worked for the Hawthorn City Council was suitably impressed that he was soon to be inducted into the Club’s Hall of Fame stating very well deserved, a good man.
Speaking about Sellars he recalled seeing his last senior game against Richmond in 1934. He added that Sellars was a very popular identity particarly at the annual Swimming Competitions held at the Hawthorn Baths. Sellars had a comic routine where he would ride his bike of the diving board into the pool at top speed dressed in a fancy costume much to the delight of the spectators.
This was an astounding story to hear as Sellars spent a life time assisting the Hawthorn Football Club in various roles first as a player, coaching juniors, recruiting, umpiring and finally as a long serving time keeper known in his later years for his then very quiet manner.
Speaking further Bill told of his time at Auburn Primary School where he first played football in the school team. After leaving school he joined Balwyn United in the Eastern Suburban Football league before his two years at Hawthorn with the 2nd 18.
Adding to this story Bill talked about his Auburn schoolmates, Ernie and Arthur Dunning that emphasized further his links with the Hawks. The Dunning family operated the local Wood and Fuel Yard with his good friend Arthur later giving outstanding service to the Hawks as a long serving committee man and vice president during the era when the Club won the 1961 Premiership.
Bill and his party then enjoyed a short tour of the club facilities watching the player’s train in the gym and meeting currant star Jack Gunston and former player Gary Buckenara. Bill again demonstrated how good his memory was thanking Buckenara for kicking the winning goal against Melbourne in the 1987 Preliminary Final against Melbourne at Waverley. To Gunston he smiled and said, number 19 that’s a very important number, ever heard of Jason Dunstall.
After an amazing trip back in time and with Bill’s links to the VFA days, a further interview with him was arranged and a very happy Hawks family left to share lunch at the Mulgrave Club.
As a footnote the Hawks Museum attracts all ages, Jett Garnham visited the museum as part of his ninth birthday celebration earlier this year during January.
Hawks great Peter Knights presents Bill Harrison with a number 99 guernsey as part of his 99th birthday celebrations
in the Hawks Museum.
