Continuing to love a milestone, so today a piece of history in honour of the first anniversary of the launch of the GFP website.
Nominated by his sons is Socceroo #80, Eric Petie.
At a time when international football was scarce, but football politics was rife, Eric only played the one "test", the 2nd against India in 1938 at Brisbane's Exhibition Ground & the GrassRoots club nominated is St.Helens Junior Minor FC from Ipswich in Queensland.
St.Helens was one of the founding clubs of the West Moreton Association centred around Ipswich one of the true hotbeds of Australian football, and one of the clubs who have all disappeared through a series of mergers which in the long run have given us the Ipswich Knights.
Eric's individual claim to fame is that he was "anecdotally", the first player in Queensland to be paid for his efforts on the football field. That pay... 2 Shillings a week. 20c in today's money, but far more in the depression era.
Eric was also a speedway rider of some renown and offered a place in the Australian team to tour England.
So after a year on the web, to the day, it is a pleasure to add the name Eric Petie to the GFP honour board.
Happy birthday to us !!!
Nominated by his sons is Socceroo #80, Eric Petie.
At a time when international football was scarce, but football politics was rife, Eric only played the one "test", the 2nd against India in 1938 at Brisbane's Exhibition Ground & the GrassRoots club nominated is St.Helens Junior Minor FC from Ipswich in Queensland.
St.Helens was one of the founding clubs of the West Moreton Association centred around Ipswich one of the true hotbeds of Australian football, and one of the clubs who have all disappeared through a series of mergers which in the long run have given us the Ipswich Knights.
Eric's individual claim to fame is that he was "anecdotally", the first player in Queensland to be paid for his efforts on the football field. That pay... 2 Shillings a week. 20c in today's money, but far more in the depression era.
Eric was also a speedway rider of some renown and offered a place in the Australian team to tour England.
So after a year on the web, to the day, it is a pleasure to add the name Eric Petie to the GFP honour board.
Happy birthday to us !!!
  |   Father & eldest son graeme before Eric's testimonial. Eric lost an arm in a car accident and the state body put on the match in recognition of his service to the game. |
