North Launceston Football Club was founded in 1893 and has competed at the highest level in Tasmania since 1896 when it became a member of the senior NTFA competition. North Launceston remains one of Tasmania’s most successful clubs and has been home to many great Tasmanian and Australian footballers. Known as the Bombers (formerly Robins), North Launceston’s colours are red and black.
ACHIEVEMENTS
> Affiliated: NTFA (juniors) 1893-95; NTFA 1896-1980; GNFL 1981-82; NTFA 1983-85; TFL statewide 1986-2000; NTFL 2001 to present.
> Premiership wins:
– 26 association premierships: 1898, 1901, 1904-06, 1911-12, 1923, 1925, 1927, 1931, 1946-1950, 1961, 1963, 1975, 1978-81, 1983, 1995 and 1998.
– Five state premierships: 1947, 1949, 1950, 1995 and 1998.
Other achievements of the club have been:
> All Australians: John Leedham, Jim Ross and Bob Withers.
> Association ‘best and fairest’ medals: Fred Odgers 1927; Fred Smith 1937 and 1938; Frank Horsenail 1941 and 1945; William Byrne 1952; Jim Ross 1956 and 1958; Kevin McLean 1963; Charlie Thompson 1964; Ian Marsh 1975; Jason Gibson 1992; Darren Trevena 1999; Nathan Howard 2000.
> Leading goalkickers:
– NTFA top goalkickers: R. Anderson 1914 and 1920; C. Scott (23) 1923 and (14) 1924; O. Adams (68) 1927; F. Smith (52) 1934; F. Palliser (54) 1939; M. Mitchell (87) 1947; P. Stephens (55) 1956; J. Hawksley (70) 1963 and (48) 1964; D. Frost (78) 1975; S. Reid (69) 1979 and (53) 1981.
– TFL top goalkickers: A. Aherne (68) 1999.
– Great players/coaches: Ray Biffin, Bruce Carter, Noel Clarke, Bob ‘Tassie’ Johnson, John Leedham, Gavin Luttrell, Merv Mitchell, Jim Ross, Allan Scott, Charlie Searl and Lerrel Sharp.
> Highest score: 47.14 (296) vs. South Launceston 10.8 (68) in 1995.
> Most games: 323 by Neil Maynard.
> Record home attendance: 5,625 vs. Clarence in 2000.
> Record finals attendance: 15,633 for 1990 grand final at North Hobart Oval: Hobart 19.16 (130) vs. North Launceston 10.12 (72).
BEST TEAM 1945 to 1999
Announced in 1999 and selected by Tony ‘Chang’ Young, Bob Withers and Gavin Luttrell:
Backs: Tod Spearman, Neil Maynard, Geoff Claridge
Half Backs: Lerrel Sharp, Jack Hawksley, Hugh Boyd
Centres: Bill Manion, Bob Withers (captain), Kevin McLean
Half Forwards: John Leedham, Merv Mitchell, Steve Goulding
Forwards: Charles Thompson, Noel Clarke, Graham Hunnibell
1st Ruck: Jim Ross, Raynor Summers, Noel Atkins
Interchange: Ian Marsh, Reg Castles, Dale Chugg, Steane Kremerskothen
Coach: Gavin Luttrell
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