Page 538 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

PRESIDENTS REPORT 1997

To reflect on 1997, the 100th year of Parkside Football Club, has had bitter sweet memories both
personally and as President.

Despite starting the year with a lack of our own club rooms, a home ground to play on, lights to train
under and for that added extra, a lack of heating and hot water. We then had to stand toe to toe
with a virtual brick wall in the city of Maribyrnong council to negotiate our new premises.

These are the things that test the very foundation of a great club like ours but in true Parkside
tradition we have bounced back.

To Larry Simmons, our A grade coach. Over the past two years at Parkside, you have shown us what
a high standard of coaching can achieve and although we missed the elusive back to back
premierships you should not be disappointed in your accomplishments. We wish you all the best in
your future quests.

Martin Fletcher. What can we say. Your job would have to be one of the most difficult jobs at the
club and you have done it with great pride and determination. You will be sadly missed.

It would be remiss of me at this point, not to thank the players for their gallant effort over the last
year considering the disruption of pre-season due to the lack of facilities. Thank you all for your
support over the past twelve months and know that the 101st year of Parkside Football Club will be
better than the 110th.

Our club would not be here without the enormous support of the committee members and people
who give their free time tirelessly in the quest to get the sides on the field. To Judy Lee for the job
she does with the canteen and food for other functions and a big thanks to our raffle girl Glad Davis.

To the subcommittee of past players, Peter Bishop, Ron Fraser, Brian Dalton, Neville O'Connor, that
handled the 100th year celebrations. The day was a huge success and it was great to see so many of
the old faces back at the club thank you for your time and effort and we look forward to seeing you
around the club in the future.

In closing it takes an abundance of time support and money to make a club successful so thank you
to all our sponsors and those who have dedicated their own free time and money to make Parkside
the club it is and will be in the future.

Don Browne-Kerr Junior

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider