The Yanco Penguins Australian Football Club is this year celebrating 50 years since it commenced its “three-peat” of premierships in the now defunct Barellan League.

To commemorate, a reunion of past players and supporters will be held over the weekend of July 14 and 15.

Organisers are planning to hold a “meet-and-greet” and barbecue from 5pm at the Yanco All-Servicemen’s Club.

On the Saturday, the derby between Leeton-Whitton and Griffith is on, followed by dinner at the Leeton Soldiers Club.

For those interested in attending, a sheet is available at each of the clubs mentioned to record their intended attendance at any of the functions or contact Mick Foxall on 0427 642 717 or at mas.mick@outlook.com.

The Yanco Penguins played in the Barellan Football League and after being runners-up in 1967, won consecutive premierships in 1968, 1969 and 1970.

In 1972 the Barellan Football League was disbanded and many Yanco Penguin players and officials transferred their allegiances to the Leeton Redlegs and/or the Whitton Tigers.

Family members of deceased players are invited to join in the festivities.

THE Yanco Australian Football Club was reformed in 1962, one of the prime movers in the formation being the late Max Kruse, a Leeton Redlegs stalwart.

In earlier days (late 40s to the early 50s), Yanco played in the Kinloch Cup competition against teams from Narrandera, Leeton, Hay, Grong Grong and Darlington Point.

Yanco won its first premiership in 1948, were runners up in 1949, and premiers again in 1950. The Club disbanded around 1952.

Following re-formation the following were coaches of the Penguins

1962    Paddy O'Connell

1963    Neil Stockton

1964    Athol Jackson

1965    Athol Jackson

1966    Merv McAliece

1967    Merv McAliece

1968    Ian Williams

1969    Ian Williams

1970    Ian Williams

1971    Noel Good

1972    Noel Good

Ken McGowan won NSW selection in 1964 (co-incidentally played with Ian Williams who won selection from ACT club Manuka, and opposed him as the coach of Hay in the 1969 grand final).

After the 1968 Premiership Jim Geltch continued his football career with Whitton in the SWDFL and won a Gammage Medal.

Graham Harrison continued his football with Leeton Redlegs and was a member of the 1972 Premiership team

John Wallace , who played in all three of Yanco's Premierships, represented NSW Country Rugby League 2nd's in 1975

Graham Harrison and Ian Williams were both winners of the Barellan League’s best and fairest medals

YAFC was also a prime mover in the establishment of a reserve grade competition in the BDNFL and won the competition in 1967.

****

While you’re with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Friday at 6am from The Irrigator. To make sure you’re up to date with all news in Leeton sign up here.