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The
F.D.L. and many of its clubs had for many years maintained a close relationship
with the local business communities which had provided a constant cash flow in
particular through the 1950s and 1960s. Couple this with the interest shown by
members of the ‘racing fraternity’ ( read as SP bookies) large sums of money
were available to many clubs. Fast Forward 10 years and many changes had
occurred. V.F.A. matches were now almost entirely played on Sundays and from
1967 the First Division match of the day was broadcast live on Chanel 0/10.
The
broadcast also included some Second Division finals. This had a dramatic effect
on F.D.L.clubs’ gate takings, sponsorships and their overall income nosedived.
At one stage in the early 1970s Chanel 7 entertained the possibility of
broadcasting Federal matches in direct opposition to Chanel 0/10. The costs
involved and monies offered to the Federal and its clubs was not sufficient for
the project to get off the ground.
With
the V.F.A. keen to expand East Malvern was approached in 1970 to transfer. The
close proximity of V.F.A. clubs Prahran, Caulfield and Oakleigh and without any
real Council support the offer was declined by the club. The reputation as a
tough and rough competition had not improved either, if anything was becoming
worse with many nasty and sometimes very violent incidences occurring both on
and off the ground. The 1968 Senior Preliminary final saw fifteen players
reported.
The
following clubs folded at years end (for financial and other reasons): Black
Rock 1972, East Malvern 1973, Glenhuntly 1976, (East) Caulfield 1975, McKinnon
1977, Bentleigh 1978. From 1979 to 1981 the clubs that remained were: Oakleigh
Districts, Highett, Parkdale, Mentone, Cheltenham, Clayton, Noble Park,
Moorabbin and Springvale.
The
South-East Suburban League had been ‘negotiating’ with the F.D.L. for a number
of years in regards to a possible merger or the ‘putting on the table’ an
invitation to its member clubs to transfer. During the 1980 season the Mentone
club was suspended following an incident in a game against Parkdale. The club
was eventually reinstated however the Leagues administrators all resigned in
protest throwing the entire competition into turmoil.
Three
of the remaining clubs had already signalled their intention to leave so it
became inevitable that the competition would fold or be forced into recess,
which it did, that is went into recess. (Click to Read Federal League in Recess) Springvale were accepted into the
V.F.A. for the 1982 season just pipping Noble Park. Parkdale and Mentone (the
two other clubs) went into the Second Division S.E.S.F.L., whilst Cheltenham,
Clayton, Noble Park, Oakleigh Districts, Highett and Moorabbin went into the
First Division.
As
the Federal Football League was actually in recess a number of clubs considered
that it should disband thereby being able to release the monies held by it for
distribution to the former F.F.L. clubs. The argument went on for many years
and I do not know exactly (with proof) what the outcome was, however Information provided by (Click to read Trustees Report) Alan Maher, Federal Football League Secretary when the League entered into recess after the 1981 season clearly states the actions of the
Federal League's Trustees and clarifies the Leagues position post
1981. It should also dispel for all time the inaccuracies, rumours,
falsehoods and myths of "whatever happened to the Federal League funds"
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