It seems success runs deep in the veins of the Williams family, with three generations of men earning premiership medallions with the Spotswood Football Club.
While this kind of family tradition is common at many clubs across the country, none can boast all three generations having won a premiership medal in the same division.
89- year-old Bill Williams began the trend over 70 years ago when he played in the club’s first Under 18 premiership in 1941, with Spotswood legend Bill Couch as coach and future Footscray champion Charlie Sutton leading the team as his captain.
From there, Bill’s football career exploded on the big stage with the South Melbourne Football Club, playing in the iconic “Blood Bath” Grand Final against Carlton in 1945 before going on to win three Best and Fairest Awards for the club.
Named in the Sydney Swans Hall of Fame, Team of the Century and representing his state on nine occasions, Bill somehow managed to find time to support his son Rod, who was fast developing a love for the game.
Having tasted premiership glory on three occasions with Spotswood’s Under 16s team and winning the league’s best and fairest award in 1964, Rod was keen to make his debut year in the Under 18s team one to remember.
Under coach Ted ‘Bomber’ Thomas, Rod added another medallion to his trophy cabinet, taking home the 1965 Under 18s premiership alongside teammates Richard Luke and Ron Viney.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Rod also played senior football at South Melbourne before becoming a Life Member at the Williamstown Football Club.
Fast forward nearly 50 years and the family tradition continues to live on in Rod’s two sons Bryce, 18, and Grant, 17.
Leading Spotswood’s Under 18s side as co-captain alongside coaches Matt Dean and Trevor Carr, Bryce won the medal for the Best on Ground player in this year’s Premiership win against Werribee Districts last month.
With their noses in front the most of the day, the game was never in doubt as Spotswood went on to break a ten year drought to chalk up their seventeenth Under 18 premiership since the competition began nearly 80 years ago.
Younger brother Grant was also instrumental in the premiership win, having backed up a best afield performance the week before in the second semi final against the Tigers.
By Kirstie Fitzgerald
Last Modified on 09/10/2014 10:37