History
A football team from Eltham began playing social matches at nearby Kangaroo Ground from 1900.
In 1907, Police Constable "Ike" Stephens convened a meeting with the idea of providing entertainment for the lads and an outlet for their surplus energy. Phil McGavin was the first Secretary.
In 1909, the newly founded Eltham Football Club joined the Heidelberg District Football League. The team travelled by train to Ivanhoe to play their first game. Home games were played at Lower Eltham Park.
In 1922, Eltham joined other nearby clubs Greensborough, Diamond Creek, Templestowe, Warrandyte, and Kangaroo Ground in establishing the Diamond Valley Football League.
Eltham made their first finals appearance in 1928 and won their first premiership in 1930 by defeating Heidelberg.
In 1935, Eltham defeated Epping in the Grand Final, but Epping lodged a protest over the eligibility of an Eltham player. A tribunal in Melbourne upheld the protest and ordered a replay. Eltham forfeited the replay and Epping was awarded the premiership.
Eltham left the DVFL to play in VFL Sub Districts League for seasons 1936 & 1937 before returning in 1938.
After five consecutive wooden spoons during the early 1960s, the club went through a golden period of four premierships in six seasons between 1969 and 1974.
Eltham Football Club was relegated to the new DVFL Second Division for Season 1981, but quickly responded with the 1982 premiership and subsequent return to the First Division. This began a trend with Eltham "yo-yoing" between the two divisions ever since – six Second Division premierships and five First Division wooden spoons.
The 2002 Second Division premiership was the Panthers last success,gaining promotion to Division 1. Has competed in the top Division since 2003. Competing in their first finals series in the top division since 1977 in 2010.
The club boasts a thriving junior organisation with several under-age teams in the NFL. Several junior premierships have been won.
Other highlights:
- Most no. 'A' Grade games at Eltham Football Club Harry Barrett (dec.) (263)
- Most no. Open Age games at Eltham Football Club David Brown 308
- Most no. 'A' Grade games as a player/umpire Eddie Mapperson (843).
- Winner of VFL / AFL Brownlow Medal Peter Moore 1979, 1984
Read more about this topic: Eltham Football Club
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