Wodonga Saints Football Club

Australian rules football club

Australian rules football club

Wodonga Saints

Names
Full name| Wodonga Saints Football Netball Club
Nickname(s)| Saints
Motto| "Our Strength is within"
Club song| "Oh When The Saints Go Marching In"
Club details
Founded| 1907; 118 years ago (1907)
Colours|
Competition| Tallangatta & District Football League
Premierships| 1913, 1929
Ground(s)| Martin Park, Wodonga & Bethanga Park
Uniforms

Home

Other information
Official website| wodongasaints.com.au

The Wodonga Saints Football Netball Club is an Australian rules football and netball club playing their home games at Martin Park in Wodonga, Victoria, Australia.

Originally established as the Bethanga Football Club in 1907, with the club was based at the Bethanga Park Recreation Reserve, Bethanga, Victoria, Australia up until 2001.

Following the 1999 Victorian Country Football League report that stated a number of clubs, including Bethanga, were on the verge of collapsing if some kind of action was not taken. After playing a handful of matches at Wodonga's Martin Park to see if there would be enough local support to support the club moving there, the club made the decision in 2002 and Bethanga FC relocated fully to Martin Park, Wodonga & were renamed as the Wodonga Saints Football Club.

## History

[edit]

### Bethanga Football Club

[edit]

The Bethanga Football Club was established in 1907 and initially played in the Mitta Mitta Football League (Tallangatta Football Association) with its first match against Tallangatta Football Club at home at Bethanga Park in the black and red (Essendon) colors.[1]

In June 1926, Bethanga Footballer, John Thomas Tankard received a knock to the stomach, resulting in severe pain, was later operated on at a private hospital, but later died.[2]

Local brothers, Arthur Mills and Albert Mills played for Bethanga in the 1926 and 1927 Kiewa & District Football Association grand finals, before the family moved to Oxley,[3] near Wangaratta, playing with Wangaratta Football Club in 1929, then both brothers made their debuts for the Hawthorn Football Club in 1930.

In 1928, Bethanga FC wore the colours of red, white and blue.

In 1958, Granya FC (who folded in 1954) and Bethanga FC merged to become the Granya / Bethanga Bombers and were coached by Norm Benstead, who happened to kick 100 plus goals in 1958. In 1959, the merged club changed its name to the Murray United Football Club and was coached by Alf Deane. Unfortunately for the local community the new club folded after the 1959 season, after winning only one game and forfeiting two. Granya FC would never reform and the Bethanga FC would not reform until the 1976 Tallangatta & District Football League season.[4]

Football Competitions Timeline

Bethanga Football Club have played in the following football competitions.

* 1907 & 1908: Tallangatta Football Association[5]
* 1909: Twomey Stewart Football Association[6]
* 1910 to 1912: Club in recess.
* 1913: Mitta Mitta Valley Football League
* 1914: Wodonga & District Football Association[7]
* 1915 to 1919: Club in recess due to World War I
* 1920 to 1921: Kiewa Football Association[8][9]
* 1922 to 1923: Tallangatta & District Football Association[10]
* 1924 to 1928: Kiewa & District Football Association [11][12][13][14]
* 1928: Yackandandah & District Football Association - B. Grade competition [15][16][17]
* 1929 to 1932: Yackandandah Football Association[18][19][20][21]
* 1933: Tallangatta & District Football League[22]
* 1934 to 1938: Hume Football League[23][24][25][26]
* 1939: Dederang & District Football League [27][28][29]
* 1940: Kiewa & Mitta Football League [30]
* 1941 to 1944: Club in recess, due to World War II
* 1945 to 1955: Tallangatta & District Football League[31][32]
* 1956: Chiltern & District Football Association[33][34]
* 1957: Tallangatta & District Football League[35]
* 1958: Granya / Bethanga Bombers FC - Tallangatta & District Football League[36]
* 1959: Murray United Football Club \- Tallangatta & District Football League[37]
* 1960 to 1975: Club in recess
* 1976 to 2001: Bethanga FNC - Tallangatta & District Football League
* 2002 to 2020: Wodonga Saints FNC - Tallangatta & District Football League

Senior Football - Premierships

* Mitta Mitta Valley Football League
* 1913: Bethanga defeated Granya by one point.[38] Granya claimed that this match was a draw and refused to hand over the premiership trophy.[39] Bethanga were compelled to take legal action against Granya Football Club to obtain possession of the premiership trophy. The case was to be heard at the Bethanga Police Court on the Wednesday 8 October 1913.[40] This premiership trophy is now on display at the Bethanga Hotel.
* Yackandandah Football Association
* 1929 - Bethanga: 5.15 - 45 defeated Yackandandah: 4.7 - 31 [41]

Senior Football - Runners Up
Bert Mills

* Tallangatta & District Football Association
* 1922 - Tallangatta:9.8 - 62 defeated Bethanga: 3.5 - 23 [42]
* Kiewa & District Football Association
* 1926 - Bethanga: 7.11 - 53 defeated Granya: 5.10 - 40.[43] Bethanga won the first grand final, but Granya as minor premiers had the right to challenge Bethanga to a "Challenge Grand Final".[44]
* 1926 - Granya: 4.18 - 42 defeated Bethanga: 5.8 - 38 [45] Granya won the 1926 premiership.
* 1927 - Granya: 8.12 - 60 defeated Bethanga: 3.1 - 19 [46]
* Yackandandah Football Association
* 1930 - Kergunyah: 11.6 - 72 defeated Bethanga: 6.16 - 52 [47]
* 1931 - Talgarno: 8.6 - 54 drew with Bethanga: 8.6 - 54. Drawn grand final.[48]
* 1931 - Talgarno: 11.14 - 80 defeated Bethanga: 10.8 - 68. Grand final replay.[49]
* Hume Football League
* 1938 - Lavington: 17.23 - 125 defeated Bethanga: 5.6 - 36 [50][51][52][53]
* Tallangatta & District Football League
* 1991 - Holbrook: defeated Bethanga:

Bethanga FC footballers who played senior VFL football.

* 1927 - Clarrie Morelli \- Collingwood [54]
* 1930 - Arthur Mills \- Hawthorn
* 1930 - Bert Mills \- Hawthorn
* 1958 - Len Cottrell \- Carlton

### Wodonga Saints Football Netball Club

[edit]

In 2002, the club decided to relocate to Martin Park, Wodonga in order to save the club from possibly folding.

* 2002–present: Tallangatta & District Football League

Football Season  | Senior Ladder Position  | Reserves Ladder Position  | Thirds / U/17's Ladder Position  | Fourths / U/14's Ladder Position

|
|
|
|

2002 |  |  | 5  |
2003 |  |  |  |
2004 |  |  |  |
2005 |  |  |  |
2006 |  |  |  |
2007 |  |  |  |
2008 |  |  |  |
2009 | 11  | 10  | 1st | 12
2010 | 12  | 12  | 10  | 11
2011 | 12  | 9  | 7  | 7
2012 | 12  | 9  | 12  | 11
2013 | 10  | 9  | 12  | 12
2014 | 9  | 10  | 12  | 10
2015 | 12  | 12  | 12  | 12
2016 | 12  | 10  | 12  | 12
2017 | 11  | 11  | 12  | 12
2018 | 12  | 9  | 12  | 11
2019 | 11  | 7  | 12  | 11
2020 | COVID-19  | COVID-19  | COVID-19  | COVID-19
2021 | 12  | 9  | No team  | No team
2022 | 11  | 10  | No team  | No team
2023 | 10  | 10  | No team  | No team
2024 | 10  | 6  | No team  | 2nd
2025 |  |  |  |

## Back To Bethanga

[edit]

Since 2009 the Wodonga Saints have moved one home match back to the old Bethanga Football Ground on four occasions. The move has been widely welcomed by both the football club & greater Bethanga community.

Year  | G  | B  | Pts  | Home  | G  | B  | Pts  | Away  | Report

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2009 | 11  | 7  | 73  | Wodonga Saints  | 16  | 11  | 107  | Mitta United  | Report (Saturday April 18)
2010 | No match played
2011 | No match played
2012 | No match played
2013 | 17  | 12  | 114  | Wodonga Saints  | 10  | 11  | 71  | Tallangatta  | Report (Saturday May 4)
2014 | 11  | 7  | 73  | Wodonga Saints  | 11  | 12  | 78  | Tallangatta  | Report (Saturday April 12)
2015 | 2  | 5  | 17  | Wodonga Saints  | 49  | 23  | 317  | Tallangatta  | Report (Saturday May 30)
2016 | No match scheduled
2017 | No match scheduled
2018 | No match scheduled
2019 | No match scheduled
2020 | No match scheduled. Season abandoned due to COVID-19
2021 | No match scheduled.
2022 | No match scheduled.
2023 | No match scheduled.
2024 | No match scheduled.
2025 |
2026 |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "1907 - Bethanga Football Club". Trove Newspapers. Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic). 25 May 1907. p. 8. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
2. ^ "1926 - Player Killed". The Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic). 9 June 1926. p. 8. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
3. ^ "1929 - Mills move to Oxley". Trove Newspapers. Wodonga & Towong Senitel. 15 February 1929. p. 3. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
4. ^ "Bethanga FC - history". Wodonga Saints FNC. Danny "Ditch" Steel. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
5. ^ "1907 - Tallangatta FA - Grand Final match review". Trove Newspapers. The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW). 30 August 1907. p. 23. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
6. ^ "1909 - Twomey Stewart FA - Draw". Trove Newspapers. Wodonga and Towong Sentinel (Vic). 11 June 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
7. ^ "1914 - Wodonga & DFA - Ladder". Trove Newspapers. Wodonga and Towong Sentinel (Vic). 10 July 1914. p. 5. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
8. ^ "1920 - Kiewa FA Semi Final scores". Trove Newspapers. Wodonga and Towong Sentinel (Vic). 13 August 1920. p. 2. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
9. ^ "1921 - Kiewa & DFA - Semi Final match reviews". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 19 August 1921. p. 4. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
10. ^ "1923 - Tallangatta & District FA - Final Ladder". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 3 August 1923. p. 1. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
11. ^ "1925 - Kiewa & DFA - Draw". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 19 June 1925. p. 1. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
12. ^ "1926 - Kiewa & DFA - AGM & Draw". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 16 April 1926. p. 1. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
13. ^ "1927 - Kiewa & DFA - AGM". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 15 April 1927. p. 1. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
14. ^ "1928 - Kiewa & DFA - Draw". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 1 June 1928. p. 4. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
15. ^ "1928 - Yackandandah & DFA - B. Grade - AGM". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 4 May 1928. p. 4. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
16. ^ "1928 - Yackandandah & DFA - B. Grade Finals". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 3 August 1928. p. 4. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
17. ^ "1928 - Yackandandah & DFA - B. Grade Semi Final match review". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 17 August 1928. p. 4. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
18. ^ "1929 - Yackandandah FA Draw". Trove Newspapers. Wodonga and Towong Sentinel (Vic). 10 May 1929. p. 2. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
19. ^ "1930 - Yackandandah FA - Draw". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 25 April 1925. p. 4. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
20. ^ "1931 - Yackandandah & DFA - Draw". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 1 May 1931. p. 1. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
21. ^ "1932 - Yackandandah & DFA - Ladder". Trove Newspapers. Wodonga and Towong Sentinel (Vic). 8 July 1932. p. 3. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
22. ^ "1933 - Tallangatta & DFA". Trove Newspapers. Wodonga and Towong Sentinel (Vic). 28 April 1933. p. 2. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
23. ^ "1934 - Hume FL - Preliminary Final match review". Trove Newspapers. The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW). 31 August 1934. p. 12. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
24. ^ "1935 - Hume FL - 1st Semi Final match review". Trove Newspapers. The Albury Banner & Wodonga Express (NSW). 23 August 1935. p. 3. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
25. ^ "1936 - Hume FL - AGM & Rd.1 Draw". Trove Newspapers. The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW). 10 April 1936. p. 6. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
26. ^ "1937 - Hume FL - Preliminary Final". Trove Newspapers. The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW). 3 September 1937. p. 40. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
27. ^ "1939 - Dederang & DFL - AGM". Trove Newspapers. Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 26 April 1939. p. 4. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
28. ^ "1939 - Dederang & DFL - Draw". Trove Newspapers. Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 3 May 1939. p. 5. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
29. ^ "1939 - Dederang & DFL - Final Ladder". Trove Newspapers. Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 8 August 1939. p. 3. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
30. ^ "1940 - Kiewa Mitta FL - Draw". Trove Newspapers. Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 24 April 1940. p. 4. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
31. ^ "1945 - Bethanga FC Reforms". Trove Newspapers. Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 18 April 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
32. ^ "1945 - Tallangatta & DFA - Semi Finals". Trove Newspapers. Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 9 July 1945. p. 3. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
33. ^ "1956 - Chiltern & DFA Scores". Trove Newspapers. The Argus. 23 July 1956. p. 13. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
34. ^ "1956 - Chiltern & DFL semi final scores". Trove Newspapers. The Argus. 6 August 1956. p. 15. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
35. ^ "1957 - Tallangatta & DFL - Final Round Scores". Google. The Age. 19 August 1957. p. 15. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
36. ^ "1958 - Tallangatta & DFL - Last Round Scores". Google. The Age. 11 August 1950. p. 17. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
37. ^ "1959 - Football in Country: Tallangatta". Google. The Age. 10 August 1959. p. 21. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
38. ^ "1913 - Grand Final match review". Trove Newspapers. The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW). 8 August 1908. p. 3. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
39. ^ "1913 - Bethanga FC - Premiership Trophy". Trove Newspapers. The Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times (Albury, NSW). 19 September 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
40. ^ "1913 - A trophy in dispute!". Trove Newspapers. The Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times (Albury, NSW). 4 October 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
41. ^ "1929 - Yackandandah FA - Grand Final match review". Trove Newspapers. Wodonga and Towong Sentinel (Vic). 20 September 1929. p. 3. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
42. ^ "1922 - Tallangatta DFA - Grand Final match review". Trove Newspapers. The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW). 1 September 1922. p. 46. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
43. ^ "1926 - Kiewa & DFA - Grand Final match review". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 3 September 1926. p. 4. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
44. ^ "1926 - Kiewa & DFA - Drawn Grand Final". Trove Newspapers. The Albury Banner & Wodonga Express. 3 September 1926. p. 32. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
45. ^ "1926 - Kiewa & DFA - Grand Final match review". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 24 September 1926. p. 4. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
46. ^ "1927 - Kiewa & DFA - Grand Final match review". Trove Newspapers. The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW). 19 August 1927. p. 41. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
47. ^ "1930 - Yackandandah FA - Grand Final match review". Trove Newspapers. The Yackandandah Times (Vic). 29 August 1930. p. 4. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
48. ^ "1931 - Yackandandah FA - Drawn Grand Final match review". Trove Newspapers. Wodonga and Towong Sentinel (Vic). 4 September 1931. p. 2. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
49. ^ "1931 - Yackandandah FA Grand Final Replay Scores". Trove Newspapers. The Argus. 7 September 1931. p. 12. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
50. ^ "1938 - Please at premiership prospects". Trove Newspapers. Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 1 September 1938. p. 1. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
51. ^ "1938 - Hume FL - Grand Final match review". Trove Newspapers. Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 5 September 1938. p. 6. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
52. ^ "1938 - Hume FL - Grand Final match review". Trove Newspapers. The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW). 9 September 1938. p. 38. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
53. ^ "1938 - Flying leap at Jindera". Trove Newspapers. Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW). 5 September 1938. p. 2. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
54. ^ "Clarence Morelli - Collingwood Forever profile". Trove Newspapers. Collingwood Forever. Retrieved 3 November 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* 1938 - Bethanga FC team photo
* Yackandandah & District Football League

* v
* t
* e

Clubs in the Tallangatta & District Football League / Netball Association

Current|

* Barnawartha
* Beechworth
* Chiltern
* Dederang-Mt. Beauty
* Kiewa-Sandy Creek
* Mitta United
* Rutherglen
* Tallangatta
* Thurgoona
* Wahgunyah
* Wodonga Saints
* Yackandandah

Former|

* Bandiana FC
* Bogong
* Bullioh Valley
* Culcairn
* Dederang
* Eskdale
* Fernvale
* Granya
* Holbrook
* Kergunyah
* Kiewa
* Lavington
* Lavington Rangers
* Mitta Town
* Mt. Beauty
* Murray United
* RAEME
* Sandy Creek
* South Albury
* Tallangatta
* Tawonga
* Wodonga Demons

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