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THE
CLUB'S SENIOR STATESMEN - THE 1948 TEAM
Tom
Kenward, now in his 90s, and Bill Sharman, in his 80s, are the last
surviving members of the 1948 Third Division Premiership winning
team. The following is a brief outline of their careers.
Tom Kenward
Tom was born in 1914. His family moved to Mitchelton shortly after
his birth. He started playing soccer at school and commenced playing
his senior football for the YMCA in 1935. Tom's older brothers,
Fred and Wally, both played for Mitchelton in the 1920s and 30s.
Carson Laird, the holder of Mitchelton's goal scoring record for a
season, credits Tom's fine work down the left wing for many of his
goals. Tom was a member of the Club's 1948 premiership winning
side. Tom's son, Bruce, played for the Club from 1958 to 1961 in a
team coached by Tom. The team won three consecutive premierships in
Under 13, 14 and 15 undefeated. Tom was named in the Club's Team
of the Century.
Bill Sharman
Bill Sharman started playing for the Club in about 1936. The Second
World War intervened and Bill served in the Army in New Guinea.
After the war, the Club recommenced and Bill played until 1953. Bill
was goalkeeper for the Club's 1948 Third Division Premiership
winning team. Bill's father, Syd, had played for the Club for
several years from 1923. Bill's son, John, commenced playing for
the Club in 1956.
Bill credits the success of the 1948 team to the fitness regime
imposed by its French coach, Wally Mielliene. Wally turned up to a
club meeting under a street light outside the Mitchelton Picture
Theatre wanting to coach the team. At the time the club had a bank
balance of £3/7/-. The team members did not want a coach but
changed their mind when Wally offered to donate £100 to the
Club towards the costs of balls and equipment. Wally had apparently
represented France before coming to Australia.
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