FAMILY TRADITION
Some of the more prominent families to represent Ferntree Gully Football Club have done so for 3 generations or more.
The Picketts. Frank Pickett was a prominent player from 1911 to the early 20’s playing in 3 Gully premierships and later as President for several years. Picketts Reserve on Burwood Highway is named after Frank. Along with brothers Joe, Bill and Greg the Pickets have all played a combined 800 plus games for the Gully and filled several administrative positions within Club. Joe and Greg won Best and fairest awards in the 1930’s and Greg's son Peter has also played.
The Campbells. Mick Campbell played from 1911 – 1929 playing in 6 senior premierships. 5 of his sons all represented the Gully; they were Jim, Albert, Alex, Doug and Sidney. His grandsons Bob, Barry and Rex and their sons Graeme, Stephen and Adam have all carried on the family tradition. Bob Campbell played 322 games with the Gully playing in the 1957 & 60 premiership sides. He ended his career winning the 1964 reserves premiership. Bob actually played football with his father Jim as did Jim play with his father Mick.
The Campbell family is commemorated by the annual presentation of the Jim Campbell Memorial Trophy to the top performer in the Best and Fairest who is a local player. Stephen's son has now commenced with our junior club continuing on the Campbell dynasty.
The DeCoites. Jack De Coite was a Trainer and Secretary of the Club in the 20's. His son Bob, a veteran of both the Footy and Cricket Clubs, recalls running the boundary as a youngster at Picketts Reserve in 1934 while the Gully oval was undergoing drainage works. Bob's son Neil (Nails) also played. Before Bob’s death in 2008, he had attended every AGM meeting dating back to the mid 50’s.
The Waters'. Grandfather Ted was Treasurer in the 1940’s and his sons Stewart, Jack and David played throughout the 40's and 50's. Their sons Darryl, Noel, Peter, Rod, Terry, Paul and Tim have all played senior/junior footy at some stage. Most of the boys have filled committee positions over the years, Paul being President in 2007 & 2008. Dave, Peter, Rod & Paul are all Life Members of the club.
The Sharps. Alf and Frank have both played in premiership sides with the Gully dating back to the late 40’s. Franks boys, Brian, Colin and Robert were all good players carrying on the family name as has Brian’s son Matt. Brian was a member of the 1987 premiership side. Jenny Sharp’s boys have also represented the Gully in recent times. Colin’s son Michael currently continues on the Sharp name and was awarded the Reserve Best and fairest in 2008 – which is in memory of Frank Sharp.
The Turners. From the mid 1960’s to mid 2000’s brothers Jim, Rob and John have all been great players in good and bad times, having all won the coveted Campbell Trophy . John and Jim have won Best and Fairest awards in the Senior team and John was a member of the 1987 premiership side. John’s son Patrick now plays junior football with the club continuing on the Turner tradition.
