Short history:

The Rochester Football Club was founded on June 8th, 1874 at Tidy’s Hotel, now the site of the Murray Goulburn Co-operative Store.
In 1913 they entered the Goulburn Valley League. The honorary coach was Paddy Mills who was Carlton’s centreman on Saturday and Rochester’s Captain on Wednesday. Paddy Mills led the team again when they joined the Bendigo League in 1915 and were two games clear when the war forced the termination of football. A major catalyst for Rochester’s emergence as a football power was the appointment of Melbourne’s Captain Noel McMahen. Noel was Captain of Melbourne in its 1956 Premiership and coached Rochester for the following two years with Premiership glory in 1958. Rochester were readmitted into the Goulburn Valley Football League in
1973.

Great eras:

The last 20 years has witness the most successful era of the Rochester Football Club. During that period they played finals football twelve times, with Premierships in 1992 & 1999 and were Runners Up seven times.

Club legends:

After his VFL/AFL career with Melbourne and Richmond, local boy David Williams returned to Rochester and coached the club for 16 consecutive years between 1992 and 2007. With David, Anthony ‘Tank’ McPhee has been one of the main reasons the Rochester Football has been so successful over the last 20 years and is one of the club’s most familiar faces. After being recruited from Bamawm in 1988, ‘Tank’ continued his football career in 2008 and played his 400th Senior GVFL game. A league record that will almost definitely never be beaten. The Rochester Football Club has three of the nine 300 plus game players in the Goulburn Valley League. They are Bruce Watson, Simon McCarty and Anthony McPhee.

Extended History:

A HISTORY OF THE ROCHESTER FOOTBALL CLUB
By Mark Gullick

The Rochester Football Club formed on June 1, 1874 – not June 8, as erroneously reported – at
Edward Tidy’s Restdown Hotel.The newly-formed Rochester Express covered the proceedings;
‘Some time ago we suggested the desirability of forming a football club in this place, and we are
glad to see the suggestion has not been thrown away. On Monday last, a number of young men
assembled in Tidy’s Restdown hotel for the purpose of forming themselves into a football club. Mr
Spring was appointed secretary, and it was agreed to commence practice as soon as the necessary
ball, &c, could be procured. The club promises to be a good one, judging by the general appearance
of its members, and we hope it may be a long and victorious existence. It numbers 40 members, and
the colours chosen for the dress are blue and white.’

Mr Edward Dixon was elected the first president and James Spring the secretary. Stephen Seward
was elected the first captain of the Rochester Football Club.

The club played its inaugural game on July15, 1876 at Echuca and lost by two goals. Over the
following years, Rochester played occasional matches against Elmore, Sandhurst, Echuca North
and Pannoomilloo.

In 1883, Rochester officials took exception to the composition of the Elmore team during the
July 21 clash. Elmore’s team contained seven imported players, which Rochester felt was unfair.
Tempers spilled over during the game, which was a tight contest. Rochester secured a goal through
R. Burley, although it was disputed by Elmore. Rochester claimed the win, and Elmore didn’t take
the loss easily. In the following weeks, a series of letters between officials and supporters were
exchanged in the Rochester Express.

Burley was involved in another controversial incident two weeks later. He was struck by the Echuca
North captain A. Noble. Rochester’s captain Henry Gregory ordered his players from the field and
the result was disputed for weeks afterwards.

The early champions of the club were Stephen Seward, Henry Jones, David Gravell as well as
severals sets of brothers – Gregory (Henry and Claude), Barrow (Charles and Henry) and Humphris
(Alfred, William, John and Henry).

Each year, Rochester’s fixture became busier. By 1889, the club had played games against
Kyabram, Tongala, Muskerry, Sandhurst, Epsom, Eaglehawk, Corop, Rushworth and
Cummeraganja.

The most highly anticipated clashes of the year were against Elmore and Echuca. Large crowds
would pack into the recreation reserve, or take the train to the opponent’s ground. Rarely did these
matches conclude in a friendly or controversy-free manner.

With a consistent calendar of matches around the district, the idea was put forward to form an
association. In 1890 the Northern District Football Association began with Rochester playing
against Echuca, Echuca East and Cummeraganja.

Rochester won the 1892 premiership, but Echuca complained about several issues. A prolonged
and spiteful argument ensured, resulting in the association (which was based in Echuca) refusing to
give Rochester its pennant. Scorned, the Rochester officials and players held a meeting and strongly
voted not to play against Echuca again.

The club followed through on that promise and it would take until 1901 for the two teams to meet
again.

Rochester played agaisnt Echuca East and Elmore in 1893 and Echuca East and Moama the next
year before dropping out of association football halfway through the 1894 season.
From 1895 Rochester played against Diggora, Elmore and Echuca East on an informal basis as a
malaise settled in over the club.

Rochester rejoined the Northern District Association in 1901, but fell out again in 1904 because
the club suffered a shortfall of players as the young men left the town in droves to search for
employment. Rochester didn’t compete in a competition until the 1907 season. The only item of
interest in the meantime was the Elmore club sprouting about its ability to beat Rochester. The
challenge was played out in the Rochester Express and Elmore Standard to set a £50 prize for the
winner. However, as the weeks passed, it became more apparent that Elmore couldn’t secure their
portion of the wager, and there would be no game. The Express couldn’t resist one final dig before
the matter was dropped, noting that “Elmore’s inability to “raise the wind” (cash) looks well after
taunting Rochester with poverty.”

On the back of a wave of talented locals and players that came to the town, Rochester enjoyed its
first dynasty. The club won premierships in 1907, 1908 and 1910.
While the Goulburn Valley District Football Association, which formed in 1894, was keen to
expand, several clubs fought against Rochester’s inclusion. Yearning for a greater challenge,
Rochester joined the competition in 1914. As a direct result, Murchison, Nagambie and Rushworth
left the association, owing to travel and financial concerns.

Paddy Mills, the ex-Melbourne and Carlton star, captained Rochester in its inaugural GV season.
To help out the club, his services were free. The team, wearing a red, white and black uniform,
won its first game of the season over Tatura, the club that had made Rochester’s entrance into the
association difficult. Rochester won 10 of its 15 fixtured games and qualified for the finals. A 21-
point defeat of Mooroopna qualified the team for the Grand Final, which Rochester lost by six
points to Shepparton. The following year, Rochester qualified for the finals despite winning just
three games out of 10. However, the team produced a brilliant finals run, defeating Kyabram (three
points) and Echuca (16 points) to book another Grand Final appearance against Shepparton. Led
by Paddy Mills (four goals), Harry Bennett, William Tomkinson and Frank Ding, Rochester upset
Shepparton, which had won five of the previous six premierships, by nine points. Other champions
in that era were Tom and Jim Doyle, Les Robins, Arthur Pattinson, Miles O’Neill and George
Clayton.

In December 1914, Rochester shocked the league by joining the Bendigo Football League, which
had only three teams. It was becoming increasingly difficult for Rochester to play in the GV
because of financial issues. After lengthy debate, Rochester was accepted into the league, but in
July, with Rochester leading the competition, the club pulled out. The club told the league that
football was interferring with the recruiting campaign for the First World War. The administration
and clubs considered this unsportsmanlike and ridiculed Rochester. More than 20 Rochester players
joined the war effort, and some never came home. William Campbell, Cyril Downe, William
Edwards, Victor Lamb, Norman Rae, Vincent & Donald McInnes, Patrick Morrissey, Sam Sherlock
all died in the war.

Rochester didn’t play football again until 1919. The Rochester and District Football Association
was formed with two Rochester teams – the Imperials and Rovers – which played against Nanneella
and Bamawm. The Imperials won the 1919 premiership and a combined Rochester won in 1922.
In September 1920, the infamous £1 game took place. Elmore challenged Rochester with the
winner collecting a lucrative purse. Elmore had reportedly recruited players from Bendigo and
Melbourne for the game and paid them £1 each. On the morning of the game, Rochester grabbed
ex-Echuca and current Richmond star George Ogilvie off the train. He played a blinder at centre
half-forward which helped Rochester win by five points.

Rochester rejoined the Bendigo Football League in 1923. The team made the Grand Final in 1923
and 1924, but couldn’t secure the premiership. Despite the efforts of Bruce McCormack, Bill
Slattery, Bill Lever, Kevin O’Neill, Fred Sheridan, Jim May, Rowley Watt, Stewart Copeland,
and the four BFL best and fairests Len Major (1930), Alf Firmer (1931), Dave Fraser (1935) and
Ern Major (1937). Rochester had a difficult time, regularly missing the finals, up until the league
disbanned in 1940 owing to the Second World War. Once again, Rochester players answered the
call to serve their nation.

Football resumed in 1944 with Rochester playing against Echuca, Lockington and Elmore in the
Campaspe Valley league. Rochester defeated Elmore in the Grand Final, and they went back-to-
back a year later after defeating Echuca in the decider.

Rochester re-entered the Bendigo league in 1946 under coach Ern Vine. The club was able to attract
several high-class coaches (Harry Hickey, Noel Jarvis, Frank McRae and Kevin Curran).
The league began its reserves competititon in 1946, which Rochester’s seconds won in 1950.
Rochester produced two duel Michelsen medalists, Herb Zegelin (1947 and 1950) and Frank
Fitzpatrick (1956-57), but never finished higher than third. One of the club’s budding champions,
goal-kicking ace Bob Chappel, died in car accident 1952, deflating the club.

The club’s fortunes changed with the recruitment of Melbourne premiership captain Noel
McMahen. Rochester made the preliminary final in 1957 before playing in eight consecutive grand
finals, winning four premierships. Owing to smart recruitiing, a brilliant crop of locals (Rochester,
Elmore, Lockington, Bamawm and Stanhope) and a raft of quality players moving to Rochester
for work, the senior team became one of the best country football teams ever. Over the years,
Rochester teams had many champions; Barry McIntyre, Noel Howe, Fred Rodda, Spencer Broom,
Darryl Hooper, Frank Maxwell, Russ Major, Ken Ingram, Alan Cobham, Ken Colvin, Robert Kelly,
Trevor Randall, Robert Sill, Brian Jones, Trevor English, Robert Knight and Graeme Taylor.
One recruit that took the league by storm was Ray Willett, the ex-Collingwood ruckman and
forward. He dominated the league, winning a Michelsen medal, goalkicking awards and multiple
media awards, while starring in representative matches.

The club had a strong committee, led by Neil McMeekin, Jack and Les Anderson, and Jack Green.
The club extended its reach beyond football and became the centrepiece of the town, providing
social and philanthropic services for many people.

When Rochester won the 1958 senior and reserves premierships, there were lengthy celebrations.
McMahen had delivered the first major league premiership since 1914. In 1959, the senior team
defended its premiership. After just falling short in 1960 and 1961 grand finals, McMahen moved
on to coach South Melbourne. His replacement, 1955 Con O’Toole rebuilt the team and Rochester
went through the 1962 season undefeated. In 1963 the senior team repeated, winning Rochester’s
fourth premiership in six years. Under Trevor Randall, Rochester made the 1964 and 1965 grand
final, but lost on both occasions.

Rochester made the finals three times in the next six years and left the Bendigo FL after the 1971
season. There were several issues that led to Rochester joining the Goulburn Valley FL, which
were primarily financial. The Bendigo administration and the Victorian Country Football League
conspired against Rochester joining its new league. Rochester was forced to sit out the 1972 season,
although a last-minute move allowed the Under 18s team to play in the GVFL. The club received
its clearance from the Bendigo FL in 1973 and Rochester was able to play its seniors, reserves and
Under 18s teams.

Owing to clashes, the club changed its uniform to yellow and black and the nickname from the
Demons to the Tigers. The club lost all of its players during the enforced hiatus and only some
came back once the club was reformed.

Rochester struggled in its first seven GVFL seasons, although the club had plenty of great players,
such as Ron Haring, Allan Crilly, Kevin Hansen, Rod and Bruce Watson, David Moon, Robert
Aitken, Barry Williams, Jeff Milne, Anthony Windridge, Peter Fuller, Geoff Ringin and Jack
Mullane.

Ex-Geelong ruckman Geoff Rosenow was appointed coach in 1979 and took the team to its first
GVFL finals campaign in 1980. However, the team was dismissed from the finals in straight sets.
That season proved a false dawn for Rochester, and the club spent the next seven years out of the
finals. There were several highlights, including David Williams’ recruitment to Melbourne and the
Under 18s making the Grand Final in 1984.

Rosenow returned to Rochester in 1987 and the team played finals in 1988, but was again knocked
out in straight sets. Nigel van der Veer took over as coach in 1989 and the senior team made the
Grand Final, which it lost to Shepparton United. In 1990 the senior team again fell in the Grand
Final. David Williams returned from the VFL halfway through the 1991 season and signed on as
coach in 1992. Rochester won the 1992 premiership in an epic Grand Final slog against Tatura.

Until 2007, Williams led Rochester to six more grand finals with further success in 1999. Under
Williams, Rochester developed into a ferocious, professional unit that was respected around the
league. One highlight of this era was the Under 18s premiership in 1996. Coached by 300-game
Rochester legend Bruce Watson, the young Tigers defeated Shepparton United in the Grand Final to
claim the club’s first and only premiership in that grade.

Daniel Schmidt replaced Williams in 2008 and the team shocked the league by defeating Seymour
by three points in the Grand Final. Rochester’s success is attributed to the steady stream of
champions such as Robert Miller, Darryl O’Neill, Shane Dupay, Warren Martin, Simon McCarty,
Anthony McPhee, Tim Cottam, Chris McCarty, Tim and Stephen Rasmussen, Heath Aitken, Ben
Anderson, Dean Moon, Ash Watson and Kahl and Perry Oliver, along with smart recruitment
from district clubs. The club also received brilliant service from imported players such as Adam
Edwards, Brad Sparks, Phillip Morgan, Dominic David, Ash Tointon, Elliot Bowen, Guy
Campbell, Brad Collins, Sam O’Brien, and Ben Deuscher.

Club legend Simon McCarty is the current senior coach.

In addition to the football, Rochester experienced prounounced success in netball. The GV
introduced the netball competition in 1981. Rochester has won nine premierships; A-Grade (1985
and 1993) B-Grade (1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1996 and 1998) and B-Reserve (2004). The club has
produced stars such as Yvonne Wolfe, Christine and Jenny Quinlan, Helen Crilly, Leanne Miller,
Katrina Trewin, Gillian Ward, Sue Fuller and Louise Williams.