Stretching back 100 years the East Perth Football Club's proud history has maintained traditions that have been transmitted from generation to generation, with some of the all time greats like Graham 'Polly' Farmer, Jack Sheedy, Ted Kilmurray, Barry Cable, Phil Matson, Ross Glendinning, Syd Jackson and Mal Brown list goes on.
In February 1906 F.I. Bray convened a meeting at the Goldfields Hotel in Wellington Street,Perth to discuss forming a senior football team. On 11 April 1906 the East Perth Football Club was admitted in to the Western Australian Football Association.
Tom Guthrie became the first President while F.I. Bray was the first Secretary and Jack Woolard the initial Captain. East Perth won five games in their first year and finished a credible seventh. The original guernsey was a lace up style in red, white and blue.
In 1909 the Club changed their strip to a Royal Blue jumper due to a clash in jumpers. The relocation to Wellington Square, Loton's Park was seen to be the major figure in the history of the East Perth Football Club. In 1910 the Club made the move to what would later be known as Perth Oval. This move gave East Perth a unique advantage of having what was then a first class facility.
This gave East Perth the opportunity to play off in their first Grand Final in 1910, however they were beaten by the experienced East Fremantle.
With the appointment of Phil Matson as Coach in 1918, the culture of the Club changed. From 1918 to 1928 the Club enjoyed unprecedented success that saw them winning seven Premierships, Runner Up twice, Third once and Fourth once.
Despite World War II intervening, the Club won the 1944 modified underage competition premiership. Then 1956 was going to be a year to remember for the Royals.
It was the Club's 50th year and a Golden Jubilee celebration was organised. During this period it was recognised that the famous wooden stand at Perth Oval was in need of
urgent repair.
It was thought that it would benefit the Club if East Perth reappointed former President Fred Book, who was serving time on the Perth City Council, to the board to help fund the refurbishment. Book would help the Club recruit former East Fremantle Captain/Coach Jack Sheedy. Mick Cronin had left a legacy of players that incoming super Coach Jack Sheedy could manipulate into stars like Graham 'Polly' Farmer, Ted Kilmurray, John Watts, Paul Seal and Kevin McGill, so much that the club won its tenth premiership in 1956 - the Golden Jubilee year.
A new era had risen - an era that is now remembered as the Golden era.
East Perth played in six grand finals in six years winning three of them - 1956, 1958 and 1959. Jack Sheedy had helped the Royals become a force on and off the field once again.
It was not until 1972 that East Perth would enjoy premiership success again. After coaching the team for three years Malcom Brown would lead the Royals to the flag over Claremont.
Another six years lapsed until East Perth were able to entice former North Melbourne and Perth great Barry Cable to come to Perth Oval as Captain/Coach. With players like Steve Curtis, Kevin Bryant, John Hayes, Phil Kelly, Ian Miller, Bradley Smith and George Michalczyk the Royals had to win their last eight games to win the premiership. Playing against his former side Perth, Cable led the team to victory by 2 points in wet conditions.
The 80's was a time that the Club had to struggle through, with the inception of the West Coast Eagles and the AFL, support for WAFL teams waned. It was not until 1996 that the Club would get a chance to play in a final series again. Going down to Claremont in what was almost the last kick of the day the Club was so close but not close enough. The proceeding pre-season, tragedy hit the Club with Jeremy Silcock passing away during an end of season trip. It hit the Royals pretty hard and it was difficult for them to bounce back to the heights of 1996.
In 1999 the Club, after finishing second last, decided it was time to seriously look at becoming premiership contenders. The appointment of Tony Micale as League Coach was a vital piece of the puzzle that would see the Royals strive for success. Under Captain Jeremy Barnard and later with Co Captains Rod Wheatley and Ryan Turnbull the Club went on to win the 2000, 2001 and 2002 premierships. The history at the Royals does run deep, we are one of the proudest and most well supported clubs in Western Australian football.
