They Worked for Ford and Played for Geelong
In the 80 years since Ford began supporting Geelong Football Club, there have been many Ford employees who played senior football for the Cats. Thirteen of those employees were members of premiership teams.
Joe Sellwood worked in Ford's Press Shop and played 188 games, including the 1937 premiership, in a football career that started in 1930 and, except for a break during WWII, continued until 1945.
Tommy Quinn was a machine operator in the Machine Shop in 1931 and joined the Cats in that year where he was a member of the premiership team. His career lasted for nine years and 168 games and included a second premiership in 1937. Tommy was a champion rover and kicked a total of 169 goals during his time with the Cats.
Tom Arklay was a punch press operator at Ford and a member of the 1937 premiership side. He joined the Cats in 1933 and played until 1941 when football was suspended for WWII. He played again in 1944 and finished with a total of 137 games and 45 goals.
Fred Hawkins was another Machine Shop employee and played from 1932 to 1938 and then again in 1941. His career included the 1937 premiership during his 108 games with GFC.
Bob Davis, one of the Cat's most famous players, played 189 games between 1948 and 1958. His skills at half-forward flank still command legendary status with the Cat's supporters. He won a string of awards in his football career including Best and Fairest in 1957, Club Captain from 1955 to 1958, an All-Australian in 1950, Victorian and All-Australian Captain in 1958 (he played for the Big V 13 times!), member of the 1951 and 1952 premiership teams and named as half-forward flank for the GFC Team of the Century in 2001. While all this was going on, Bob worked in the Customs and Excise Department at Ford.
Syd Tate was employed in the Tool Room at Ford and joined the Cats in 1947. He played in the 1951 premiership team and had 85 games up when he retired in 1951. He was regarded as one of the most courageous players in the Geelong team.
Neil Trezise was employed with Ford Parts and Service before he eventually took up a career in politics. From 1949 through to 1959 he played 185 games and kicked an amazing 272 goals. After his football days were over, Neil gave unstinted support to the club. He held practically every position in the club at one time or another including the presidency as well as coach of the Second 18 premiership team. He also played in the two premiership teams of 1951 and 1952. He is still active in GFC and is currently chairman of the club's History and Tradition Committee.
Russell Middlemiss worked for Ford as a foreman in the Stamping Plant and, in his career with the Cats from 1949 to 1951 and again in 1959, he was a member of the famous 1951/1952 premiership side. Russell played a total of 74 games and even kicked a couple of goals although he wasn't a forward!
Bert Worner played 65 games with Geelong from 1951 until 1955. He worked at Ford in the Parts and Accessories Division. He was renowned for his speed on the ground and for his extremely long kicks. The highlights of his career were the two premiership sides of 1951 and 1952 where he was a force to be reckoned with in defense.
John Yeates worked for Ford in the Industrial Relations Department and played for Geelong between 1958 and 1965 including the 1963 premiership team. This tall ruckman was often a match winner with his brilliant high marking and his ability to get the ball to the rovers from the centre bounce. In his eight-year career with the Cats from 1958 to 1965 he played 86 games and kicked 76 goals.
Paul Vinar was an accountant in Ford's Finance Department and played either in the ruck or at full-back for Geelong. He played 132 senior games with a total of 45 goals. He was a member of the victorious 1963 team. Paul will be remembered for his accurate drop kicks that could travel half the length of the ground, his high marking and tenacity as a defender.
Hugh Routley worked in the Shipping Department at Ford and was a speedy wingman and, although smaller in height than many of his opponents, would often outmark them through his ability to leap high. Hugh's tenacity and outstanding ball handling made him a valuable player for Geelong. His football career spanned the years between 1959-60 and 1962-64. While he only played a total of 27 games he was a member of the 1963 flag-winning side.
Bill Goggin was one of the all-time Australian Rules champion rovers and, during his 14 years of senior football - 288 games and 280 goals - he stamped his seal on many a game for the Cats. He was a master of the stab pass, fast moving and had great ball control. The combination of Goggin and Graham 'Polly' Farmer was a match-winning one and a major factor in Geelong winning the 1963 premiership. He won two Best and Fairest awards, played for the Big V 14 times, captained Geelong for 84 games, captained Victoria in 1968, coached Geelong from 1980 to 1982, coached the Victorian State of Origin side and was named as the number one rover in the Cat's Team of the Century. Bill's job at Ford was in the Stamping Plant.
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