Great Unionites
"The Champ" just keep on keeping on.
Where statistics are cited, these are accurate to the end of the 1998/99 season.
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ANTHONY JOHN VOLLUGI
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Jack Vollugi, looking his usual cheerful self
Jack Vollugi became coach of the club in 1971/72 and remained active in junior coaching until his death in 1997 at the age of 89. During Jack's coaching reign the club won 21 premierships in every grade from 1st XI down to U-12, and won the CMCA club championship 7 times. In 1993 the Australian Cricket Coaches Association awarded Jack their Joe Plant Memorial Award for his outstanding service to the game. All this is eloquent testimony to Jack's coaching prowess, but he was far more than just a coach: in the words of Club secretary Noel Pullen, Jack was "an incredible human being and friend".
Jack's rapport with people of all ages was remarkable, and many times his unshakeable optimism inspired junior players to beat the odds. A memorable instance was in an U-12 semi-final where we had been dismissed for only 68: in the midst of a sea of pessimism, Jack exclaimed "I reckon we can still win it". The next day the boys pulled off a courageous 1 run win, justifying Jack's faith in them. The Vollugi legacy endures in the thousands of kids he helped to become better cricketers and better people.
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CON GOROZIDIS - THE CHAMP
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Out of the park again! "The Champ" opens his shoulders against Omega, 1997/98 season
While a number of Brighton Union players have gone on to play First class and District cricket, Con Gorozidis remains our greatest-ever player by virtue of his on field performances for his beloved Brighton Union. Club secretary Noel Pullen summed it up neatly when he said "Isn't he brilliant? There won't be another one as good as him in park cricket for a hundred years".
In a marvellous 25 year career with Union, Con has played in five 1st XI premierships, twice as captain/coach, been club champion 13 times, made over 7,000 1st XI runs and taken over 500 1st XI wickets. His six-hitting feats are renowned throughout the competition: one that I recall vividly was during the 1993/94 Puma Cup when Con charged District opening bowler Bailey and square cut him off the FRONT FOOT for 6. The Collingwood fielders were left shaking their heads in disbelief. Con has also achieved the rare feat of taking all 10 wickets in an innings (10/68 against Hampton United in 1990/91). Con is a life member of the club.
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NOEL PULLEN
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Noel Pullen (left) and team manager John Egan (right) celebrate the 1998/99 1st XI premiership under the gaze of coaching legend Jack Vollugi.
Noel joined his beloved Brighton Union in 1966 and played in all teams from 1st XI to 5th XI. By his own admission a "moderate" player, Noel's finest playing moment was captaining the clubs 5th XI premiership side in 1978/79.
Noel held the vital position of club secretary from 1970 until stepping down at the end of the 1999/2000 season, and helped the club negotiate crisis periods in the mid 1960's and mid 1970's, often in harness with lifelong mate Kevin McNally as President.
Over the past 30 years Noel has shouldered a colossal workload. I can remember a Committee meeting where Noel said "I'll be away on Saturday, so there's a few jobs to be done", then handed to each of the ten committee members a list of 3 or 4 chores...the looks on people's faces said clearly "Does he do all this EVERY SATURDAY?". Noel undertook dealing with a mountain of correspondence, fundraising, junior practice and registrations, CMCA executive work (Press, draw and grounds), and recently starting the Website business that will make this club a fortune. He has also gathered wonderful archival material to write a book on the history of Brighton Union, and is an active supporter of his other great love, the Australian Labor Party. All of this was undertaken despite imperfect health. Noel is without doubt the greatest administrator and servant Brighton Union has ever known.
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DAVID WINGFIELD
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Club President Brian Bratby (left) presents David Wingfield with an engraved tankard to commemorate 400 games for Brighton Union (senior presentation night, 1996/97).
David Wingfield joined the club in 1963, and at the time of writing has played around 420 games, easily a club record. "Winger" has appeared in every side from 1st XI through to 5th XI, and has captained premiership sides in 1969/70 (2nd XI) and 1988/89 (5th XI).
David has a best bowling haul of 8/46 in the 4th XI back in 1975/76, and a top score of 143 n.o. in the 3rd XI in 1963/64. "Winger" continues to entertain his team-mates and infuriate bowlers with that signature leg side swat, and hopefully he has a few more seasons left in him.
Off-field David has also been a tremendous worker for Brighton Union, serving as President, committee member, junior team manager, and currently as chairman of selectors. He is a life member of the club.
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KEVIN McNALLY
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Kevin McNally, long-serving 1st XI captain and Club President
Kevin joined the club as a 12 year old in 1964, and rapidly established a reputation as an instinctive leader, captaining U-14 and U-16 premiership teams in 1965/66 and 1967/68 respectively. He soon rose to the 1st XI, playing as a 17 year old in the 1968/69 premiership side and winning a trophy for a brilliant individual performance in the final: 63 runs, 3 catches and match figures of 5/23.
Kevin had a 2 year stint with Northcote in the
early 1970s, but returned to assume captaincy of the 1st XI in 1973/74, a position he held for a record 15 years. Kevin was a cunning and
resourceful captain, leading the 1st XI to back-to back premierships against old foes East Sandringham in 1982/83 and 1983/84. His reliable wicket-keeping and handy lower order batting made him a valuable member of the side.
In addition to his
on field efforts, Kevin has been an active contributor in the administrative sphere, serving many years on the committee and 10 years as club President. He is a life-member of the club, and was honoured at a special testimonial function in 1988.
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JEFF HAYES
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Left: Jeff as a member of the U-17 team, 1968/69
Centre: bowling another cunningly-flighted delivery, 1989/90 in the 3rd XI
Right: Jeff at the Kevin McNally testimonial function, 1988/89
Jeff Hayes joined the club in 1964 as a 12 year old, and rapidly proved himself to be an outstanding junior cricketer. Initially a tearaway left-arm quickie, Jeff reinvented himself as a "Derek Underwood-style" left arm spinner. He had a prolific year in 1967/68, capturing an amazing 120 wickets in U-16, 2nd XI and 1st XI matches that season and winning the Junior club championship. He has taken 50 wickets a season several times, making him one of Brighton Union's greatest ever bowlers. Jeff played in the 68/69, 75/76, 82/83 and 83/84 1st XI premiership sides, and was Senior club champion in 1973/74.
Jeff also served the club as a Committee member, and despite moving to Queensland for work reasons has retained a keen interest in the fortunes of Brighton Union. He is a life member of the club.
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ALLEN THOMAS
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Allen Thomas, at the Kevin McNally testimonial function 1988/89
Allen is one of the longest-serving players at Brighton Union, joining the club in 1964/65. He has had an illustrious playing career, playing in every team from 1st to 5th XI and winning the senior club championship in 1965/66. This relentlessly-accurate bowler has sent down thousands of overs, in the process collecting 6 different bowling average trophies. His best bowling analysis is 8/44 against Cheltenham Park, taken in the 4th XI in 1993/94.
Off-field Allen has served as committee-man, vice president and junior team manager, and has been generous in his financial support. He played a key role in recruiting new players in the the mid 1960's so that the club could continue to field a 3rd XI. Allen's dry humour and forthright comments make him a valued member of the club, which awarded him life membership in 1988.
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ALEXANDER GERDAN
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Inset: Alex as a 9 year old, 1979/80 U-12 team
Centre: raising the Longmuir Shield as premiership captain, 1996/97
Right: the master technician at work, 1st XI 1997/98 semi-final versus Le Page Park
Alex Gerdan played his first game for the club in 1979, joining his older brother George in the U-12s. He worked his way through the juniors and lower Senior XIs, playing his first full season in the 1st XI in 1987/88, where as a 17 year old he topped the batting with 400 runs. Alex then moved on to District club Prahran, where he spent 4 years and was a regular in the 2nd XI. He returned to Union in 1992/93 and has played a total of 96 games in the 1st XI, scoring 2425 runs (avg 31.5) and capturing 89 wickets (avg 21). "Big Al" is also a fine fieldsman, as he himself will readily confirm if asked.
During a 4 year stint as captain, Alex led the 1st XI to premierships in 1996/97 and 1998/99. His insistence on a professional attitude ensured that these very talented teams capitalised on their potential. In addition to his playing duties, Alex has served on the club committee and has assisted with management of junior teams.
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DANNY FREW
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Danny Frew,
Danny Frew joined the club in 1986, transferring from the now-defunct East Caulfield club. After battling for a couple of years to establish himself, Danny became a fixture opening the batting in the 1st XI. In 123 appearances in the 1sts Danny has scored 3165 runs at the creditable average of 25.7, and has made 4 centuries.
"Frewy" is greatly admired throughout the club, as he always has a smile on his face and is happy to talk to anyone. He is a fine role model because of his sportsmanship and conscientious attitude towards training. This season the club has honoured this exemplary clubman with the club coach position. Danny has also successfully led the CMCA representative side, making good use of his under-appreciated bowling talents.
