Here's the full blurb.
Fremantle Football: The Origins 1885 to 1904, by Norman Ashton
This book is the first to examine comprehensively, and in detail, the remarkable story of the birth, history, significance – and predominance – of Australian Rules football in Fremantle. It covers the first twenty years of the competition run by the West Australian Football Association, which was formed on 8th May 1885 – following the initiative taken in Fremantle by the Fremantle Football (Rugby Union) Club deciding at its meeting at the Cleopatra Hotel in Fremantle on Monday evening 27th April 1885 to switch from Rugby to the “Bouncing Game” or “the Victorian Game” (what eventually came to be known as “Australian Rules” football).
The initiating role of Fremantle, marked the start of an amazing two decades of dominance by Fremantle-based teams. The names of the Fremantle-based clubs which competed in the top division of the W.A.F.A. in this period were:
• Fremantle Football Club 1885-1886
• Union Football Club 1886-1889
• Fremantle Football Club 1890-1899
• Imperial Football Club 1895-1897
• East Fremantle Football Club 1898-1904
• South Fremantle Football Club 1900-1904
• North Fremantle Football Club 1901-1904
In those first twenty years, Fremantle-based clubs won 15 of the 20 Premierships. The winning clubs and years were:
• The first Fremantle Football Club – once; 1886
• The Union Football Club – three times; 1887, 1888, 1889
• The second Fremantle Football Club – seven times; 1890, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1898
• The East Fremantle Football Club – four times; 1900, 1902, 1903, 1904
The South Fremantle Football Club finished runners-up in 1901, and the North Fremantle Football Club were runners-up in 1902.
Of the Perth-based clubs, the West Perth Football Club were Premiers on three occasions and the Rovers Football Club twice.
Dr Norman Ashton was born and raised in Fremantle. He is a distinguished scholar, whose career included Chair of the Academic (Professorial) Board and Academic Council, and Head of the Department of Classics and Ancient History at The University of Western Australia, and Pro Vice-Chancellor at The University of Adelaide. Among his publications are two major books, Siphnos: Ancient Towers B.C. and Ancient Megisti: The Forgotten Kastellorizo.
Involvement in sport has always been an important part of his life, at both the playing and administrative levels, especially in cricket, hockey and football. In December 2000 Norman was awarded – within the Australian Honours system – the Australian Sports Medal for his services to cricket.
The Ashton family has been involved with Fremantle Football since the 1890s. Norman’s grandfather Arthur Ashton’s playing career spanned eight consecutive years from 1894 to 1901. He played with all four of the Fremantle-based clubs of his time – North Fremantle, Fremantle, East Fremantle and South Fremantle. He was the 55th player with the East Fremantle Football Club, and the 33rd player with the South Fremantle Football Club.
Walter Ashton, son of Arthur and father of Norman, played for South Fremantle in the Fremantle Junior Football Association, including a premiership in 1925.
Norman Ashton, the author and son of Wally, was a member of East Fremantle’s pre-season league squad when Steve Marsh had moved from South Fremantle to East Fremantle as the club’s captain and coach.
Mel Ashton, eldest son of the author, was on the Board of Directors of Fremantle (Dockers) Football Club from December 2002 to November 2008, and its Vice-President 2006-2008.
So, since 1894 there have been four successive generations of the Ashtons directly involved with Fremantle-based football clubs.
This book, Fremantle Football: The Origins 1885 to 1904, has Forewords by Matthew Pavlich and Shaun McManus. The major sponsor of the publication is the A. J. Diamond Club, formed in May 2003 as an initiative of Fremantle (Dockers) Football Club Board Members Greg Wall and Mel Ashton. Their intention was to bring together business people who shared a deep passion for the Dockers and for the game of Australian Rules football. It is named after legendary Fremantle businessman, Arthur James Diamond, who was President of the Union Football Club in 1889, and then the Fremantle Football Club, when Unions changed its name in 1890.
It is a fascinating story - and a “must read” for all lovers of football, Fremantle, Western Australia, and West Australia’s history.
Launch details: Thursday 31st March, 5.30pm to 8.00pm, Griff John Room, South Fremantle Football Club, Fremantle Oval
If you would like to be at the launch contact Natalie on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Book can also be ordered and purchased on line at: www.hubandspoke.com.au/fremantle-football-book/
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