If you have ever stepped through the doors of a country football and netball club, you understand the significance of its existence straight away.
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You will see the years of hard work on display with premiership flags and silverware draped on the walls of the clubrooms.
To the countless old black and white photographs, with names and faces of past heroes and legends that feature in tales told today.
Then you see the array of loyal supporters, all with a different story as to how they are connected to the club, but they all share a common bond nonetheless.
Wins, losses and draws on the scoreboard only mean a slither in the scheme of things.
And Stanhope Football Netball Club embodies all those characteristics that make clubs so special to their communities.
Born in 1920, the Lions, have a rich and vast history that is full of success and hardship.
The club it is today, one of the powerhouse outfits of Kyabram District League, has been molded by its remarkable experiences.
Which there are plenty of.
The Lions dominated their way through an early era in the old Kyabram Football Association.
A plethora of grand final appearances and premierships awash this period of the club's existence, as well as some light-hearted moments.
Arthur “Cocky” Enders was the president in those days and rumour has it he would bring a bottle of sherry out to the players at half-time to warm them up.
Players suggested a hot shower be installed, but that fell on deaf ears.
Cocky quipped that “if they wanted a wash, the channel was nearby”.
Players were also transported to and from games on the back of a truck that had wheat bags for seats.
None of those quirks would affect the players, with Stanhope enjoying success in that era.
Although they may have been starved of success during the Goulburn Valley League era from 1946-75, the Lions did blood four Morrison Medal winners.
Club legends, Aub Downing, Keith Dunstall, Ed Murray and Roy Barrett were the quartet that showed Stanhope had a knack for producing star talent.
But with the dire years in the GVL behind them, team success returned to the Lions in a flash.
Upon entry into Heathcote District League in 1976, Stanhope won all three of its football premierships.
It was a sign of things to come.
The footballers, now joined by a netball outfit, enjoyed a memorable period that featured a string of grand final appearances.
Neil Warnett coached the dominant senior outfit of 1986-89.
The Lions contested four-straight deciders and won back-to-back titles during those heydays which came to a close in 1995 when the club, after a lengthy appeal process, rejoined the Kyabram District League.
But if Warnett was the mastermind coach, then two-time premiership player and club best-and-fairest winner Mark Patten was his protégé.
Patten, a member of the 300-game club along with Albert “Banjo” Pattison and his brother Dudley, is a favourite son at Stanhope.
His astonishing coaching resume, which succeeded his playing days, speaks for itself.
A three-time senior premiership coach, Patten led the Lions to premier and champion glory in 2003 and back-to-back titles in 2007-08.
The brilliant mentor, who is back at the helm in 2021, along with Dennis Grinton, revealed his most enjoyable moment in his involvement at Stanhope.
“That 2002 finals series is what I remember the most. I look back on that elimination final win as the most memorable moment,” Patten said.
“Seeing that young group, many of whom I actually coached in the under-14s, lay the foundations for the future success at the club is something very special to me.”
Asked what the club — one he joined in his teenage years — meant to him, Patten was quick to highlight the support he had received over the journey.
“When I think of what (the club) means to me, I think of what everyone has done for me over the years,” he said.
“Just the support of everyone, the ongoing support. Especially my wife Julie, who has always been there to support me.
“And I think of those people from yesteryear. I think of my first junior coaches Barney Enders and guys like Gavin Excell, as well as Gavan Poole, who has done a tremendous amount of administrative work.
“I take personal pride in what they have shared with me. I try to uphold it as much as I can.”
Patten also touched on the dedication of Stanhope's tireless volunteers.
“There is an enormous amount of work that more unrecognised people are doing around the club,” he said.
“I acknowledge the considerable work of those that don't often get the recognition.
“But Stanhope is no different to any other club. It's always the people of distinction that help shape clubs.”
As Patten highlighted, one of the key elements that encapsulates the lifeblood of clubs — is its people.
A host of entertaining characters have called the Lions their home during the decades.
From the hundreds of footballers and netballers that have pulled on the maroon and gold colours, to the loyal servants who have given up countless hours in a range of volunteer roles, to the dedicated supporters who have ridden every low and high along the way.
Club legends Gavan Poole, Alex “Yabby” Nelson and Banjo Pattison are some of the key figures from Stanhope.
The clubrooms are aptly named in Banjo’s honour.
A premiership player and coach, he then dedicated years as treasurer, president and vice-president, team manager and head trainer in a staggering 72 years of service.
Poole followed in Banjo's footsteps and is a decorated administrator at club and league level.
In 1973 at the of age 26, he was the club's youngest president, he remains on the committee to this day and he holds a life membership with the Heathcote league.
And Yabby, a premiership player in 1944, was a committee member-volunteer for more than 84 years.
His involvement at Stanhope began as a 13-year-old when then captain Bill McLennan offered him seven shillings and sixpence to clean the rub down tables.
Most of the classic stories that have survived to this day can be traced back to Yabby according to club stalwart Gayle Gray.
“So much information of the club from the early days has come from Yabby and a scrap book he kept with all of the AGM minutes,” she said.
Then there is the surviving football players of the early era, Yabby, Jack Stewart and Gordon Cawley and then the recent successful premiership group of 2008 which is spearheaded by Brenton Gray and Jarrad Mason.
In between the playing days of those men the revered names of Stanhope's only VFL/AFL products graced the club's turf.
Royce Enders joined Carlton in 1982, while Shane Ryan was recruited to South Melbourne four years earlier.
Or there's the trailblazers of Stanhope's inaugural netball side in 1977.
Lyndel West and Heather Cowie were members of that side which paved the way for the stars of tomorrow.
Kerrie Gray, who has played more than 300 games along with Michele Hanson and Sharryn Stockdale, has played an influential role on the club's current crop of netball talent.
Before steering the A-grade side to premier and champion status in 2019, Gray coached the incredible 17-and-under outfit from 2011-13.
That young side went on to win 54 games on the trot, along with a three-peat, in what is a club and league record.
And that is only scraping the surface.
There is still so many interesting elements to the club.
That's why come May 14-16, a special occasion — befitting a club that has experienced it all — will be undertaken.
Stanhope will hold a centenary celebration to mark its storied journey.
Like many other country clubs, COVID-19 unfortunately put a pause on Stanhope's chance to commemorate its 100 years of existence.
Festivities will commence on Friday night with the club's memorabilia, old photographs and merchandise on display with drinks and cocktail food provided.
The following day — with a home match against rival Lancaster — a large crowd is expected to enjoy the netball and football action and reminisce.
The centenary dinner will follow the day's play and all three distinct eras of the club will be revisited.
And on Sunday a breakfast will be available as the club wraps up its 100-year birthday bash.
A centenary book, A Lion's Tale’, which documents the extensive history of Stanhope will be available for to buy at the weekend celebrations.
Club president Jason Leocata said he wanted to see old faces return for the special occasion.
“We are really excited to invite everyone who has ever been involved at Stanhope to attend the centenary celebration,” Leocata said.
“Ultimately, we want people to reconnect with the club.
“I want to thank Gayle, Gavan and Glenda for all of their help in organising the weekend. The club is what is today thanks to the people that were and are still involved.
“It's a really big honour to be president in our centenary season.
“I'm lucky to be involved with some amazing people and an amazing club.
“I came out to play with some of my mates, but it's one of those clubs that you join and it's so hard to ever leave. It's a special place and means a lot to so many people.”
● The Stanhope centenary weekend celebration will run from May 14-16.
Former players, coaches, volunteers and supporters are encouraged to head along and be apart of the festivities.
Those interested in attending can head to www.stanhopefnc.com.au/centenary to book tickets or RSVP.
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