A very significant local football photograph has come to light from Narrandera resident Ian “Rat” Rankin who found it from the period when his great-grandfather coached Narrandera in 1900.

Only his great-pop’s name was on the back – Edward Armstrong.

There were no players’ names written on it.

Before this photo his great-grandfather coached the Australian Rules team at Gillenbah.

In the Goss’ football book, THE HISTORY OF THE NARRANDERA IMPERIAL FOOTBALL CLUB, it states: “No writer to date has put forward any factual evidence when Aussie Rules started in Narrandera the statement has been made ‘that football was played in the Narrandera district as far back as the 1890s and probably earlier’.”

Well known Narrandera Argus sports journalist the late Dan Clarke wrote in one of his articles that he had been “shown photographic evidence of Narrandera Football Association team resting beside the grandstand in Narrandera Park in 1905”.

This 1900 photograph from Rat Rankin exceeds that by five years, so it could be the oldest photograph of Narrandera Australian Rules team ever presented.

With no formalised competition in the 1900s, most games were “scratch matches” between towns like Grong Grong, Matong, Methul and Rannock.

Initially, Narrandera wore a blue and white strip, but soon switched to a blue guernsey with a wide gold band around the middle.

In 1913 the South-West District Football League was formed. Narrandera joined and took the name “The Imperials” but were known colloquially as “the yellow bellies” when they won premierships in 1913 and 1914.

Narrandera Argus Editor’s note: If you can share any further history on this article please feel free to email editornarargus@gmail.com.

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 29 August 2024.