Balmain Wanderers

Cricketers Arms formed following ‘split’ with The Welcome Hotel (now Melchester Rovers) a club that can trace it’s roots back until just after WW2 when formed as Westpac.

The only current player inherited from The Welcome was Craig McAinsh. I know cos I was there…regardless of what Waldo and Geordie claim (so says Stevie Payne!).

Name changed to The Wanderers.

Cricketers Arms changed ownership and the new owner had an outstanding debt with one of the Scouse fraternity, resulting in the picketing of The Pub.

Sponsorship changed to The West End.

First ever final played. The second grade lost 2-1 to Lansvale. I remember getting possibly my last ever ‘Man Of The Match that day….they only ever come in defeats (so says Stevie Payne!).

Brian ‘Waldo’ Whelan wins leagues best player (Reserve Grade)

Sponsorship changed to The Merton Hotel.

New kit purchased (and about time too!).

The reserve grade won the second division grand final beating Leichhardt 2-1

Over 35′s formed

The second grade reached the grand final but were beaten on penalties by Arncliffe after the game finished 4-4 after extra time. The Wanderers were 3-1 down at one stage but cam back to level at 3-3 and force extra time. Micky Holland scored a hat trick with one being direct from a corner to put Wanderers 4-3 up in extra time. The other two goals were only 30 yard screamers!

The club competed in its first over seas competition in Pankor, Malaysia. One of our two competing teams won the competition.

Website launched.

The first grade win the grand final for the first time in the clubs history defeating Racing 1-0. Eddie Fitz scoring the game winner.

The second grade also reached the grand final but lose 2-0 to Arncliffe.

The over 35′s reached the semi-finals.

The first grade reach the grand final again but lose 2-1 to Campbelltown Gunners.

A week later the first grade beat Arncliffe 6-2 to reach the cup final and went on to win the cup defeating Leichhardt 3-1. Ally Bruce scoring 2 and Tooheys Pete scoring the other.

This was probably the worst season ever for the first grade. Ending up in division three some pride was salvaged as the first grade went unbeaten in the second half of the season winning division 3 and the grand final. The first grade also reached the cup semi final losing a close game 2-1 to Sydney Uni.

Eddie Fitzgerald won the golden boot and Pete McLean won the leagues first grade Best an Fairest award.

The second grade were knocked out of the cup in the first round by Racing. They also reached the 3rd division grand final but were beaten 2-1 by Sydney Pharaohs.

Both the first and second grade finished in the top 4 and so competed in the semi finals. Unfortunately both teams were beaten the second grade 1-0 by Arcliffe and the first grade 3-2 by Botany.

The Over 35′s won their grand final after John O’Hara scored the only goal of the game against Strathfield.

Eddie Fitzgerald won the leagues first grade Best and Fairest award making it two years in a row that a player from our club has won that particular award.

The end of season awards night was held at Wolfies restaurant.

The first grade finished third in the league and also reached the cup semi finals but unfortunately lost both games to Racing in two thrilling games. The scores were 2-1 (AET) and 3-2 respectively.

Uda won the leagues first grade Best and Fairest award making it three years in a row that a player from our club has won that particular award.

The first grade won the second division grand final defeating Dobroyd Gunners 3-0 in the final. Goals were scored by Brian Whelan (Waldo), Adam Leatherbarrow and John O’Hara.

The second grade also won the second division grand final defeating Jaguars 5-2. Wanderers were down to ten men after 8 minutes. The games finished 2-2 so went to extra time by which time Jaguars were down to 9 men. Wanderers goals were scored by Fergal Donlon (2), Mark Kenny (Geordie), Matt Friend and James Anderson.

The over 35′s won their league as well as three cup competitions!

Over 35′s: Wanderers – John Baguley; O5′s: Z

All age: Adam Leatherbarrow (1st grade), Michael Gunn (2nd grade).

The first grade finished sixth in the league and so failed to make the finals despite some good performances. They also were knocked out of the cup in the early stages by a resilient Ecuador side who went on to win the cup.

The second grade had a good league performance going unbeaten for the first half of the season. They reached the final in both competitions but failed to land any silverware losing the cup to Racing and the league final to Golden Stars.

All age: Adam Leatherbarrow (1st grade), Michael Gunn (2nd grade).

First Grade finished top of the league after the regular season after some stirring performances. They charged through the semi-finals in a classic game to go down in Wanderers folklore against the Golden Stars. They eventually fell to the Leichhardt Tigers 2-0 in the Grand Final that was delayed for three weeks due to rain.

The Reserves had a strong season aswell, finishing second in the league. They also made the Grand Final after defeating Bondi FC but as with the Firsts they fell to the Leichhardt Tigers 2-1.

All age: Ian Moores (1st grade), Ian Moores/Michael Gunn (2nd grade).

Adam Leatherbarrow/Andy Corlett/Dave Patterson (1st grade), Craig Hooley/Michael Olford (2nd grade).