– Brad Kingsbury
DOVETON Football Club is aiming for back-to-back premiership success this Saturday and a win would provide a fitting climax to the 40-year anniversary of the first ever Doveton flag in 1966.
The Doveton under-17 team, coached by Herb Batten and captained by Doveton legend Frank ‘Rocky’ Clifford, triumphed in that season, going through undefeated.
Batten, the father of former Doveton champion and senior coach Stuart, said the 1966 side was ‘one out of the box’ and contained many youngsters who went on to become household names in South West Gippsland Football League circles.
The club was formed in 1959, but took several seasons to develop its list and attract enough good quality junior players to be a competitive side.
While there has been significant success at both senior and junior level since, the 1966 side will always be held in high regard as the pioneer team of the club.
