Fitzroy (VFL)

Introduction
Team Name and Jumpers
Team Photos
Player Photos
Lists
Results during Charles Boyles Work Period 1925-63
Home Grounds
Memorabilia
External Links

Introduction

1950 Argus Badges

Formed in 1883, and winning the VFA in 1895, the Fitzroy team was one of the eight foundation clubs that split away from the VFA and formed the VFL (now AFL) in 1897.

Fitzroy won the grand final in 1898, the first year that a grand final was played, and for the next 20 years was a dominant team, winning premierships in 1899, 1904, 1905, 1913, 1916 and 1922. An eighth premiership in 1944 was the clubs last in the VFL era.

After a long struggle, the club merged with the Brisbane Bears to form the Brisbane Lions in 1996. The Brisbane Lions have won three consecutive premierships between 2001-03.

Fitzroy dominated the Brownlow Medal during the 1930s with Haydn Bunton (1931,32,35), Wilfred Smallhorn (1933) and Dinny Ryan (1936) winning medals.

Initially known as the Maroons, the club adopted the nickname the ’Gorillas’ in 1938, but the name was not popular and was changed to the more popular ‘Lions’ in 1957.

Team Name and Jumpers

Cgwil003 011 Fitzroy - Source: Australian Rules Football Cards

Originally known as the 'Maroons'
1939 became known as the 'Gorillas'
1957 became the 'Lions'
1996 Merged with Brisbane

1942 FFC monogram was added to the jumper in blue and 'yoke became straight'
1948 Blue Yoke added to top of Jumper
1956 Color of the FFC logo changed from Blue to White
1974 Color of the FFC logo changed from White to Gold, maroon lightened