The East Perth and Subiaco Connection

Back in 1906 the East Perth had a strong affiliation with the Subiaco Football Club.

On April 4 1906 East Perth made application to become a member of the W.A. Football Association. Mr. J Barrett of Subiaco moved that our application for affiliation be granted. In supporting us Subiaco almost created their withdrawal from the association. 

The delegate from North Fremantle said he wished to draw the attention of the delegates that if another club were admitted it would necessitate another ground being obtained, which would mean an additional expense to the Association and a splitting of gate receipts. He moved as an amendment that the Association take into account the advisability of reviewing the past performance of the Subiaco Club (who had not won a game in 1905 and had only won 2 games in the previous three years) with a view to admitting East Perth in their place. Without wishing to give offense to the Subiaco players he considered that the past performances of that club had not been up to the standard of first class football. The North Fremantle amendment was carried.

The Chairman then intimated that in accordance with the rules of the Association it would be necessary to call a Special Meeting to review the Subiaco Club’s performances.

At the Special Meeting conducted on April 11 1906, the matter of admitting East Perth in place of the Subiaco Club was debated and after much discussion by those clubs for and against the motion

The vote was tied 6 - 6 and after the chairman gave his casting vote the motion was lost and Subiaco remained as a member of the W.A.F.A.

A motion to accept East Perth as a member of the Association was proposed and the only opposition to the motion came from the West Perth delegate who said the Perth clubs required juniors in this season and the interests of football would be best served by the refusal of the East Perth application. The motion was carried and East Perth accepted as a member of the W.A.F.A.

At the start of the 1908 season Subiaco Oval was opened and the first game was played between our two clubs with Subiaco being the victors by 15 points.

In later years our clubs enjoyed the privilege of having the great Phil Matson as a player and coach, Subiaco two premierships and East Perth seven premierships and it is intended to acknowledge his football achievements at both clubs by naming the entrance gates at Medibank Stadium in his honour 

Both clubs are now joint tenants at Medibank Stadium Leederville and we enjoy a strong working relationship and a healthy rivalry on field.