Page 12 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

Following the commencement of VFL in 1915, perhaps it was not a coincidence that Parkside
Football Club had the most active season in 1915 for the whole duration of the First World War.

“In March 1915, the VFL voted on whether or not to suspend the 1915 season, but voted in favour of
playing by 13 votes to four. The season began on 24 April, the day before Australian troops landed at
Gallipoli. Attendances were poor throughout the year.

St Kilda changed their club colours because their traditional red, white and black colours were the
same as the German Empire. Their new colours of black, red and yellow were chosen as support to
Australia's ally Belgium, where a group of St Kilda players were serving.

The 1916 season was heavily affected by the war. Only four clubs, Carlton, Collingwood, Fitzroy and
Richmond, competed in the league. The other clubs withdrew from the competition, both out of
Australian patriotism and as a result of player shortage. Despite finishing the home and away season
in last place, Fitzroy won the Grand Final that year.

Both Geelong and South Melbourne returned to the league in 1917, while St Kilda and Essendon
made their comeback in 1918. Melbourne spent the longest time out of the league, missing three
seasons before re-joining the VFL in 1919.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_rules_football_during_the_World_Wars

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider