World Footy: 1st Perth game - played 120 years ago

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    https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/w...-soccer-game-played-120-years-ago-this-month/

    Soccer clubs honour first Perth game - played 120 years ago

    Liam Croy - The West Australian


    Commemoration: Richard Kreider with a pennant marking 120 years of Soccer in WA. Picture: Bill Hatto

    When Perth's top soccer clubs compete across the city this weekend, they will honour the four teams that played WA's first official games 120 years ago.


    One of those games was played between Perth and Civil Service on a field metres from Football West's new administration offices on Lord Street.


    Perth ran out two goal winners, taking early bragging rights from the public service workers in the British Football Association of WA league.

    Soccer historian Richard Kreider uncovered the location of that game during his research into the early days of organised soccer in Perth.


    Mr Kreider, the author of WA soccer history Paddocks to Pitches, was stunned to find the link to WA soccer's new headquarters.


    The playing fields weren't as pristine in 1896 and the sport's governing body didn't have offices, but the love of the game was the same.


    "It was quite amazing really because they formed the association at the beginning of May and played their first fixtures at the end so they only a handful of days to get everything organised," Mr Kreider said.


    "It was mostly the brothers, Frederick and Archibald Burt, who were inspired from college back home and noticed the game was still absent here.


    "They got it started by writing letters to The West Australian."


    The winners of the inaugural BAFWA season were Fremantle Wanderers.


    "The Wanderers were a team of Scots," Mr Kreider said.


    "You can bet there would have been rivalry."


    The flavour of soccer in WA changed after WWII when migrants from other parts of Europe formed their own clubs, such as Perth Azzuri, Stirling Macedonia and Floreat Athena.


    In recent years, Mr Kreider has seen the popularity of the game reach a new level.


    "I think you can thank the national competition and Perth Glory for that," he said.


    "Football clubs have generally been ethnic clubs, but now you have Perth Glory which is essentially a WA club.


    "The game's never been stronger here."


    On Saturday, the 12 National Premier Leagues WA teams will exchange commemorative pennants to mark the 120th anniversary.


    PS4 NPLWA ROUND 10 FIXTURES


    Saturday, May 28 (all 3pm)


    Armadale v Stirling Lions (Alfred Skeet Reserve)


    Perth Glory v Balcatta (Ashfield Arena)


    Cockburn City v ECU Joondalup (Dalmatinac Park)


    Bayswater City v Floreat Athena (Finance 365 Stadium)


    Inglewood United v Perth SC (Inglewood Stadium)


    Sorrento v Subiaco (Percy Doyle Reserve)


 
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