Tonight, Wynnum Wolves FC in Brisbane celebrates the end of their centenary year with the launch of Vicky Krayem’s book, 100 Years of Football at Wynnum.
The event will be one to remember – just as the past 100 years have been.
Congratulations to Vicky and Wynnum Wolves for having the vision and energy to write and source the pictures for a book like this.
While Wynnum isn’t the oldest club in Australia, or even Queensland, it is certainly one of the oldest – and with an extraordinarily proud history.
I’ve read 100 Years of Football at Wynnum several times, and each time I do, something else jumps out at you!
Of course, I knew of Clarrie Shenton, who is cap number 9 for the Socceroos. He was one of four Queenslanders in the first national men’s team which played New Zealand in June 1922. That alone is quite a heritage.
We learn that Wynnum was the grassroots club of players such as the Matildas’ Clare Polkinghorne, and national league players such as Brad Ditton, Ben Halloran, Josh Rose and Karl Dodd. And it was good to learn that tennis player John Millman played with the club also – his dad, of course, played in the NSL.
But with the help of people such as Wayne Gracey, Vicky has unearthed so much more.
For example, who knew that the women’s team from Wynnum is the first recorded women’s team from Australia to go on an overseas tour?
100 Years of Football at Wynnum is one of eight books we have published this year – in a lockdown year, which wasn’t easy for a variety of reasons – and 26 in total since 2018.
Fair Play Publishing exists because we believe in Australian football, and the need to tell and share the many stories from around clubs, grounds, people, and events for the benefit of future football players, fans, and volunteers - but also our nation.
100 Years of Football at Wynnum is Wynnum’s history and everyone involved with the club has every reason to feel proud about what they have built and nurtured over the past 100 years.
It is Queensland football history too. And it is also our Australian history.
The book exists because Vicky had the energy, determination, and talent to make sure the story was told and shared with all of us.
Congratulations Vicky. And congratulations and happy birthday to Wynnum Wolves!