Previous subjects, Charlie Fellows and Richard Dart, both referred to their Team of the Century and 1974 B-grade premiership coach, Alec Gardiner, in glowing terms.  It therefore seemed appropriate that Alec should be the next Old Trinity identity “on the couch”.

By the end of 1973, Old Trinity was really on the march.  The Club hierarchy led by the irrepressible Roberts Moore (an inducted Legend of the Club) was on the lookout for the right coach to negotiate the giant step into A Grade for the first time.  Astute recruiting had brought the famous (some say infamous) Fellows brothers back to the Club a few years earlier and they were adamant the man for the job was Alec Gardiner.    

Alec had been a successful VFL player with Footscray playing in the Bulldogs only premiership team in 1954, and had coached Box Hill in the VFA for several years.  Following many visits to Alec’s place (and many beers around the kitchen table with Alec and his wife Jacki), the deal was done – Old Trinity had their man!

1974 was a pivotal year.  With Alec at the helm and a terrific list, Old Trinity beat Ivanhoe in the preliminary final to qualify for the grand final.  And the grand final has become part of Old Trinity folk lore as the defeat of Monash Blues by 13 points signaled the start of unprecedented celebrations.  Let’s hear Alec’s version of the premiership aftermath and his recollections of his era.

“My most memorable moment was the euphoria in the rooms after the game.  So many people had worked so hard to get the Club up from the depths of E Grade and to see the look on their faces is something I will treasure for the rest of my life.”

“At some stage that evening, everyone came back to our place and Jacki and I joined in the celebrations that lasted until late Sunday night.”

“There were many great players at Trinity in the time I coached them but if I had to single out one it would have to be Chris Hansen.  He dominated in A Grade and won the A Grade B&F before going on to play VFL footy with Fitzroy and Footscray.”

“The fondest memories that Jacki and I have of our time at Old Trinity are the friendships we forged with so many people.  Those friendships have lasted for over 30 years.  Not having any clubrooms to have a drink after the game, the Club innovated the idea of having AGDs (after game drinks) at someone’s house and this almost inevitably led to all of us heading off to a party later in the evening.”

“Over the past ten years, Jacki and I have been back to the Club for several lunches and functions and it is just fantastic to see the Club playing in A Grade and the facilities they now have.”

“Old Trinity provided the entire Gardiner family with some of the fondest memories we have from our footy days.”

Alec and Jacki are still enjoying Alec’s retirement after 17 years.  Alec has recovered well from a stroke and with seven grandchildren thanks to Nicki and Andy, life is never dull.  They still enjoy their yearly pilgrimage to Noosa, and that now includes time with Charlie and Merilyn Fellows at Port Douglas.