Old Essendon Grammarians Football Club (OEGFC) was formed in 1968 and participated in several different competitions in it's formative years. Premierships were won in the Essendon District Football League (EDFL) in both 1976 and 1977, as well as in what was then the Footscray District Football League in 1983. In 1984 the club joined the rapidly expanding Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA), which has since been its home and one of the best and most professionally run competitions in Australia.
OEGFC tasted quick success in the VAFA, winning a premiership in F-Section in 1986, along with the inaugural Four 'N' Twenty Club Championship. A culture of success followed for numerous years with the club regularly having winning seasons without ever really climbing up through the grades.
The mid-1990's was a turbulent period for Old Essendon Grammar but a time which saw the club closely examine the foundations upon which it was running. A conscious decision was made to forge a closer relationship with the Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School community (PEGS) and to introduce a greater professionalism to the administration of the club. These two decisions began what was to become an extraordinary rise through the ranks of the VAFA. The club saw success winning the 1996 E-Section Premiership defeating Williamstown CYMS at Glenferrie Oval. It was the catalyst for a steady rise in grades over the coming years.
The club competed in D-Section for the next 4 seasons reaching finals on two occasions. In 2000 an Under 19 team was introduced to provide a bridge between the very successful PEGS school side and the Old Boys, many of whom had been members of those talented school sides. The Under 19's were immediately successful and to this day help strengthen the OEGFC and PEGS relationship.
Under the guidance of Gavin Keane in 2000, the senior team progressed to C-Section for the first time in the clubs history and made further history in 2001 under Chris Bye with an astonishing season, falling just one short in the Grand Final.
Season 2002 saw the club change its playing strip, logo and brand and compete in B-Section with the Under 19's side winning the Premiership with a team full of talented players. The introduction of Frank Dunnel in 2003 saw a dramatic rise for the senior team finishing two games clear on top after the home and away season, but were hit with key injuries and were knocked out in straight sets.
Former Essendon and Brisbane onballer David Calthorpe then took the reins in 2005, which saw the Seniors once again reach the finals, however with the senior side decimated by injuries and suspension over the last 2 rounds of the season, consequently OEG were defeated by perennial boogie team, Old Brighton in the Semi Final.
Over the summer of 2005/06, Calthorpe was offered an increased role with the Essendon Bombers Football Club, a lucrative offer which meant David would relinquish his role as Senior Coach. This led to the appointment of Darren Handley for the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
Darren came to OEG with positive success having played with Collingwood F.C. in the early 90s and more recently coached St. Bernards 2nd XVIII. The 2006 season was built around plenty of hype, particularly after a barnstorming victory against eventual premiers, Collegians, early in the year. Hopes were high after an impressive victory against Caulfield Grammarians in the first week of finals, before we spectacularly met our demise against Old Brighton in the Preliminary Final.
2007 saw the return of many former players from other clubs, long term injuries or traveling and OEG had an amazing level of depth which had players touting success in the Seniors and Reserves. The year did not disappoint either, with the Seniors experiencing the most successful year ever, recording a 16-2 record. Many believed 2007 would finally signal the year OEG took the step to A Grade. However only 2 losses throughout the year were both inflicted by St Bedes Mentone who also happened to be the only team to finish ahead of us on the ladder. Unfortunately the first final saw St Bedes swamp us at Elsternwick Park, a comprehensive loss which carried over into the second week of finals against Uni Blacks. Injury and a poor second half performance saw OEG go out in straight sets.
In a new trend, OEGFC appointed Co-Coaches for Season 2008 and beyond. Adam Edwards and Rodney Callahan came from the Keilor F.C. in the E.D.F.L. Both Adam & Rodney co-coached Keilor F.C. in 2006 & 2007 - Adam having won 2 Premierships as coach of Keilor F.C. and Rodney a 5 time Premiership player, B & F Winner, 300 game player with Keilor F.C. Both will bring a wealth of experience and professionalism to the OEGFC.
After a couple of lean seasons, OEGFC fell to C grade in 2011 and after hard work off field the side finished a game outside of the finals under coach Trent Cummings, with the under 19's narrowly missing out on a grand final losing in the preliminary final.
Huge change was happening off the field and with a push to make closer ties with the school, the AGM ratified a name change and jumper change that would secure its future with the school endorsing this and also a junior side to play under the name "PEGS Football Club".
From December 1st 2011, the OEGFC has made a name change and will be known as the PEGS Football Club with a new jumper mirroring that of the school sides jumper, yet still retaining the 'bomber' logo!
Last Modified on 02/12/2011 10:48