Nhill and District Sporting Club is anticipating a large crowd at Davis Park on July 20 as it prepares to celebrate five football premierships.

The Tigers will host a reunion for their 1964, 1965 and 1969 senior premiership sides, as well as 1964 reserves and 1969 under-16 flags.

Club life member Rob Gersch said the club expected most surviving members of each team to attend, with family members of deceased former players also invited.

“It’s 60 years ago, so we don’t have a lot of the ‘64 and ‘65 players still with us, but we invite the families whose members are no longer with us,” he said.

“We haven’t got final numbers yet, but at this stage we’ve had a good response, so all going well we’ll have a good crowd.”

Mr Gersch said the occasion would give attendees an opportunity to reminisce about the club’s glory years across the 1960s decade.

“In 1964, it was the first one we ever won. We drew with Ararat and then had the replay the next week and won it,” he said.

“Then in ‘65 we played Warracknabeal and won, and ‘69 was probably one of the best Wimmera league sides I’ve seen.

“There’s probably sides that have been as good, but there wouldn’t be any better.

“That particular side lost the first game and then won the next 19 on the trot and broke virtually every Wimmera league record that year.”

Mr Gersch said 1969 playing coach Kevin McNamee would attend, while 1964-65 coach Wes Richardson was also expected at the function.

He said the day would allow Nhill supporters to celebrate the past while looking towards the future.

“The ‘69 side beat Stawell and we play Stawell on July 20, so it should be a great day and a lot of memories shared,” he said.

“We were close to beating them down at Stawell earlier this season, and we’re fairly confident that we can take it right up to them.” 

People can visit www.facebook.com/nhilltigers for more information about the reunion.

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