The Wynnum Manly strip in 1914 was predominantly black with a white collar
When Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football club first entered the competition in 1914, most of you would not have known the jersey colours worn by our first grade side was black with a white collar. Pictured left is Wynnum Manly forward Russell Roff, he later became a life member for his services to the club.
This was the last season that the Wynnum Manly team would be in the Brisbane Rugby League competition until they were readmitted back into the big league in the 1931 and 1932 seasons. The jersey remained black and white for these two seasons. Wynnum Manly were again removed from the Brisbane Rugby League due to financial constraints.
After the 1931/32 seasons Wynnum Manly participated in a competition called the Geraghty Cup, this was played between representative sides from Beaudesert, Beenleigh, South Coast and Wynnum Manly.
The Wynnum representative side during this era played in maroon with white “V” coloured jerseys. Both the first and reserve grade side displayed these colours.
The 1931/32 jersey did not change remaining black with a white collar, the 1931 Wynnum team from left is: Paddy Crouch, Blossom Cole, Unknown, Unknown., Unknown, Unknown, Ernie Glass, Unknown, Slim Cloherty, Sid Crouch, Albert Thurlow, Bob Crouch, Unknown.
in 1951 Wynnum Manly were given their third chance to prove themselves in the main competition, which they have remained in until this day. When the rebirth of the Wynnum Manly football club took place in this year, the jersey colours were a bottle green with a gold V.
There were many changes over the next 6 years with this green and gold design, from jail strips (hooped) in 1955, to gold shoulder lapels in 1956 and 1957.
Edward Hancox displaying the bottle green and gold jersey worn by Wynnum Manly in 1951 and Glen Crouch in 1956 version with the gold lapels.
In 1957 the biggest change in our jersey was forced upon the the Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club. Wynnum Manly were appearing in a first grade game as a lead up to a test match taking place in Brisbane.
The Australian Rugby League Board attended and viewed both matches. After the completion of the test match the Australian Rugby League met with Wynnum Manly Football club officials and said that they must change their jersey colours, as it clashes with the National team and would not be accepted. The ARL official told the Wynnum Manly board the change in jersey colours was required by the start of 1958 season.
In 1958 the board of Wynnum Manly made the change to red and bottle green which remains our colours today.
John Geraghty, Les and Bob Greenhill in the new red and bottle green jersey worn by Wynnum Manly in 1958
Overall Wynnum has had four different jerseys colours since 1913, however Red and Green it will now always be.
Story Source: Paul Comber
