Yallourn Football Club YFC 1945-65 - Vic Lawrence. Footnote Kevin Gould

YALLOURN FOOTBALL CLUB 1945-65
VIC LAWRENCE

Perhaps it was no accident that three prominent North Melbourne footballers played with Yallourn in the 1950’s. It may have been good luck; but it could have been the result of astute recruiting that ruckman Laurie Shipp (1954-56), centre man Gerald Marchesi (1955-56) and defender Vic Lawrence (1958-59) were lured to the club. All had been team mates at North Melbourne FC at some time.

Vic Lawrence was recruited to NMFC from the local side North Colts in 1948. Vic proceeded slowly but steadily in building a reputation as a reliable back man in the VFL. In 1952, Vic was selected to represent Victoria against South Australia. In his final year with North, Vic was captain. In total, Vic played 121 games and kicked 21 goals for the Kangaroos.

Following Vic’s retirement from VFL football in 1955, there is some controversy about his move to country Victoria. According to ‘The Argus’, Vic was appointed to coach Stanhope/Girgarre FC in February 1956. However, within a month he had been granted a clearance to coach Tongala. The details of this appointment are unclear in Vic’s playing history and Kellie Brennan, Secretary of Tongala Football Club is currently (November 2012) researching this matter.

Vic’s arrival at Yallourn was greeted with anticipation. The Blues had a promising mix of ‘hard’, experienced footballers and a group of talented but ‘raw’ youngsters. The playing list in 1958 included… Ron Lee, Ray Kitney, Merv Crane, Bruce Knight, Bill Jackson, Jock Mc Gregor, Keith Gibson, Jack Vinall, John Henderson, Barney Sewell, Brian Bertoli, Barry Spurrier, Kevin Gould, Keith Angove and Alec Shaw. John Hutchinson had played with Fitzroy in 1957 but returned to play with Yallourn in Vic’s time as the Blues coach. Ricky Belford (Trood/Rodda Medallist in 1961) was recruited to Yallourn in this period. A young player from Yinnar named Ted Heesom was to attract attention with his blonde hair and courageous play around this time.

Vic Lawrence proved to be an outstanding player for Yallourn. Few, if any, players in the LVFL could out mark Vic. His big frame (188cm, 86kgs), strong hands, ability to read the play and assume the front position gave Vic great advantage in marking contests. He played mainly in defence for Yallourn but was a first-class follower and sometimes went to CHF to lift the team in attack.

One of Yallourn’s memorable wins, in which Vic starred, was at Morwell in 1959. 'The Live Wire' carried a comprehensive report of the match, including a photograph of Vic in full flight soaring for a mark. The article refers to Vic’s strong marking as a factor in the Blues fighting win that day.
The final score: Yallourn 9.15. (69) defeated Morwell 8.8. (56).
Goal kickers for Yallourn: Hutchinson 2; Belford 2; Heesom 2; Vinall, Lawrence and Edmondson
Best players for Yallourn: Belford, Lawrence, Thorpe, Gale, Crane and Bennett.

In1959, both Ricky Belford and Vic were selected in the LVFL inter-league squad. While the Blues failed to make the finals in 1958-59, Vic’s legacy was apparent. Several youngsters such as Kevin Gould, Brian Bertoli, Keith Angove, Alec Shaw and Barry Spurrier had taken the next step in their football development while the progress of ruckman Steve Szabo was astonishing.

During Vic’s last year of coaching the Blues, Steve Szabo, the former Yallourn Soccer Club goal keeper swapped codes and began playing Australian rules. He took to the game like a ‘duck to water’ and quickly became a leading ruckman in the LVFL. Steve won the Trood/Rodda Medal in 1960 after about only 30 games of senior football. He also won the Medal again in 1965 when he played with Morwell.

An outstanding feature of Vic’s football was the high number of marks that he took during the course of any game. The club statistician, at that time , Harry O’Bern would often record more than a dozen marks in some games.

Following Vic’s death in March 1986, a letter was published in ‘The Latrobe Valley Express’. The letter was a short tribute to Vic Lawrence and mentioned…
“…most vivid memory of Vic Lawrence was on a cold wet wintry afternoon when he took 30 marks against the Warragul club”.
Anecdotal evidence supports this claim and there are those at Yallourn Oval on that day who never have forgotten Vic’s exceptional feat.

Finally, Vic made his ‘mark’ in more ways than one with the Blues and his time at Yallourn is another absorbing chapter in the club’s history.

FOOTNOTES ~ KEVIN ‘GASHER’ GOULD
Kevin “Gasher” Gould was a prominent player with Yallourn during this era. His first games were in the Under 16 League (a four team local league formed in 1954 for youngsters… the teams were Hernes Oak, Yallourn North, Yallourn Golds and Yallourn Blues). Kevin graduated to the seniors and played his first game for Yallourn seniors in1956. Some highlights and thoughts of Kevin’s career include:
His first opponent in LVFL football was Lester Ross who had a reputation as one of the Valley’s best-ever players. It was a tough initiation for a sixteen year-old but the statistics indicate that Kevin made an imposing debut in senior football - 105 games mainly as a half forward flanker. Approximately 50 goals including a ‘bag’ of 5 against Maffra in 1957. LVFL selection in the Victorian Country Championship series against South Gippsland at Morwell in 1958.

Kevin trained with Essendon (coached by Dick Reynolds) in 1958. In the trial games, he played against Alec Epis and Barry Davis. While at Essendon, Ron Clarke (Olympian and Jack Clarke’s brother) made a strong and lasting impression on Kevin. Kevin’s attempt to break into VFL ranks was severely hampered by his stint of 11 weeks of National Service at Puckapunyal Army Camp. Although granted 6 one-match permits to play with Essendon, fate (in the way of very serious concussion sustained against Sale FC), intervened and Kevin played that season out with the Blues.
1955 Best Junior.
1956 Senior Club Award for the Youngest Player.
1958 YFC Best and Fairest Award. Kevin was, at that time, the youngest player to ever win this award. This record may still stand.
1962 Most Consistent Trophy.

Kevin believes Vic Lawrence was a coach who assisted his understanding of the art of forward play. Creative flankers like Kevin could often break a game open if given ‘free rein’ and licence to run. It is hardly a highlight…. but the 1962 fixture against Bairnsdale still conjures up vivid memories of the toughest and most testing match in which Kevin ever played for the Blues.

Kevin believes that John Hutchinson (1962-63) deserves credit for introducing and developing an attacking style of football based on hard running and quick hands to create time and space.

In 1965, Kevin played his last match with Yallourn. Former Melbourne defender, Mike Collins, was the coach. Mike was the brother of former Yallourn champion and Melbourne captain (1954) Geoff and the son of Melbourne wingman Jack (1923-31).

Note: Kevin was an accomplished and free flowing batsman who made two centuries for the Yallourn Colts and represented the CGCA at four Victorian Country Week Carnivals. Those who saw Kevin play will always remember his ability to find space, deliver the ball accurately with hand and foot and his courage in a pack situation. Kevin was a footballer of some class and daring.

Written by Roger Spaull for Virtual Yallourn ~ November 2012.

For further stories, photographs and memorabilia regarding YFC…click “Search”….type “Football”…press “Enter.”