Saving NEFU history

Stuart Rainbow and Peter Fish have started to write the history of the NEFU and are asking people to search their private collections for old photos and memorabilia as part of the project

January 29, 2025

A complete history of the NEFU highlighting family connections, on field success and the stories of communities that lived for footy each Saturday will be told in a new book set to soon be produced.

Footy stalwarts Stuart Rainbow and Peter Fish have joined forces to start the monumental task of capturing the essence of an era of football long-gone.

“After our generation’s gone there won’t be any information on the NEFU so we want something to pass on to the next generation,” Rainbow said.

Competition football began in the North East in the early 1900s during the region’s tin mining boom. It was significantly impacted during World War 11 and the competition continued with various member teams until 2017 when just Winnaleah remained.

Former clubs like Warrentinna, Alberton, Legerwood and Pioneer-Gladstone have little documented history. Along with Branxholm, Bridport, Derby, East Coast, Fingal, Lilydale, Ringarooma, Scottsdale and the Scottsdale Crows, they make up a competition that took many forms over the decades.

“We need to recognise that there were families that lived in those towns, otherwise we will lose the detail. Footy is an easy-to-get sample of what families were about. Sporting teams were the glue in the community.

“You’d have a hell of a good day no matter if you won or lost, fought or rowed.”

Rainbow’s dad Oliver John Rainbow played over 500 games with Pioneer and he said he thinks “Oliver’s mother might have played six!” 

“The club finished in 1979. The footy ground was behind the old pub on the corner which is not there anymore and they had some great players - David Noonan played with them when he first came up here, Billy Millwood was still a good player there, Max Hadley was a bit better than average.”

They hope to include in their book best and fairest winners, coaches, premierships, life members and how the clubs were founded – and no doubt a few funny anecdotes will make their way in.

If you have any original photos or information you can contribute, contact Stuart on 0429 779 514.