1921 - CHELSEA JUNIORS U-21 PREMIERS

BACK ROW  (L to R) : Rogers (Trainer), Carter, Wharrie (Trainer), W. Kellett, Steele, Downs, Hicks,
R. Stivey (Head Trainer), Newman, Bannerman, A. Fricke, L. Fricke, Kellett (Senior Trainer), Hedger (Trainer).
SECOND ROW : Jenkins, Buckle, Garmston (V.C), H. Stivey (Capt), Featherstone (Sec), R. Rogers, Thomas.
FRONT ROW : W. Baker, W. White, Turner, Kennedy, McFarlane, B. Baker, L. White.

WINNING A FLAG THE HARD WAY

Chelsea won the Minor Premiership. The Grand Final match with Cheltenham, played on the Mentone ground, was stopped by police who feared violence when spectators rushed onto the ground with Chelsea five points ahead (see newspaper report).
Three meetings were to have been held to discuss the position but two lapsed for want of a quorum. The third meeting did not commence until 9pm and it was resolved to hold a further meeting in the city at a date to be fixed. Chelsea decided within days that enough was enough and claimed the Premiership.
Reinstated in 1922, Chelsea  adopted the navy blue jumpers with a broad, white band which had been worn by the seaside juniors the previous year. The Juniors then wore plain navy blue. Former Fitzroy (VFL Districts) player Clarrie Featherstone became coach in a seven team competition that was dominated by Cheltenham and Mordialloc. Mentone, Chelsea and Carrum filled the bottom three places with three wins a piece. Chelsea procured two of those wins against Carrum by two points and four points. Chelsea Juniors once again played in the Seaside Junior Football Association Under 21 competition losing the first semi-final to Edithvale.

“BOYS WILL BE BOYS”
Excitement started with the opening bounce of the ball. “Tear them down, put the boots in,” yelled the two team’s supporters. When Chelsea scored the first goal, one player was down and another punched him. Thereafter a rush of spectators occurred and  a mounted trooper came  to the rescue, allowing the game to proceed.
At the end of the first quarter Cheltenham led by twelve points. The second quarter was well contested and comparatively free from trouble with Chelsea leading by twelve points at half-time.
Alas, no sooner had Cheltenham reduced Chelsea’s lead to five points, than more pugilistic encounters took place. ‘Donnybrook’ clashes occurred among crowds of spectators invading the playing field and a general melee ensued.
Fists shot out, men went down, men were roaring, women screaming. A trooper and police came to the rescue and, with his faithful horse the trooper carefully walked in and out breaking up fights.
A policeman pushed his way through and eventually secured the ball and declared the match ended.”
Ref: “Seaside News”—10th Sept, 1921.

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