Page 68 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

FOOTSCRAY'S HOPE

“Good wages as well as considerable amounts in overtime were being earned in Footscray, said Cr. C.
A. Beever, the Mayor, when he opened the local War Savings Ceitiflcate Campaign yesterday
afternoon. He hoped that some of that money would find its way into war funds.

Cr Beever added that Footscray had subscribed £ 70 000 to war funds, but with a population of 60
000, he thought they should try to raise £500 000. Six hundred local men had volunteered for the
fighting services, and it was the duty of their fellow citizens to support them In every way.”

The Argus, Tue 15 Oct, 1940

“Just as football scaled new heights the onset of World War II stopped the game in its tracks.

Footballers were lost to the war effort and crowds plummeted. By the depths of 1942 the average
attendance dropped below 10,000 for the first and only time on record. There was some level of guilt
shrouding players and supporters partaking in such a comparatively frivolous exercise, though an
alternate point of view (supported by former PM Robert Menzies) was that footy served a valuable
psychological and social purpose, in addition to contributing money for patriotic funds.

“The public will say so through the turnstiles; till they do footy should go on… As soon as the game
interferes with the application of war needs then the game must go… after all, football is of small
moment”. - Hec De Lacy, The Globe”” by Jeff Dowsing

http://australianfootball.com/articles

“The period 1942-43 was the most critical, for the nation and the VFL. Football grounds were
attractive for military use because they provided accommodation space, with catering and ablution
facilities, parade grounds and ample storage areas. With the Australian Government assuming
control of manpower and resources, extra pressure was placed on the way the general populace
could spend its limited leisure time. As in the Great War, it was agreed that football provided a
valuable diversion from the constant focus on the war.”

*****

Footscray football ground lost due to questionable chemistry

“The first evidence that Footscray’s home ground, the Western Oval, was destined for military
occupation was when it was disclosed in early April 1942 that troops were ‘comfortably housed’ in
the Footscray Harriers headquarters, which was only a very small part of the complex. At this stage

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider