Golden days of Kent Districts Football Club remembered during celebration of inaugural OFA premiership

More than 70 former Kent Districts Football Club players, coaches and members gathered at Nyabing Sports Complex on October 21 to celebrate the 50-year reunion of its inaugural Ongerup Football Association premiership. The Hawks were a powerhouse of the competition over a two-year stretch through 1972 and 1973, winning 42 out of a possible 44 games including the 1973 premiership. In 1972, they found themselves on the brink of ultimate success, only to have victory slip through their fingers as they narrowly lost to Ongerup by three points. The following year they ensured they rectified their past mistakes as they went on to win all 22 games that year and claim the 1973 flag by defeating Borden by 28 points. Premiership player Ray Gannaway, who played 225 games for the club, said they were “golden days” for the town which was built off the back of strong loyalty. “We were such a community-minded town and everyone helped each other and that’s what made our club great,” Gannaway said “The team of 1972-1973 was a champion team of local players who were all about the same age.” Among the crowd were club heroes Keith Butcher and Chris Jolly who are both battling debilitating diseases. “Keith made the trip from Esperance despite being wheelchair-bound due to myositis which is a very debilitating disease of the muscles, along with Chris Jolly who is also wheelchair-bound due to MND,” Gannaway said. “They were our heroes on Saturday and it was awesome to see them make the trip and it shows how much this club meant to everyone.” The club eventually fold before the 2013 season with just two premierships to its name — the second coming in 2001.