Malvern, Maples celebrate 175 years of history

Memories and stories over the past 175 years will come to life at St Mary’s College Ground on Sunday, when Maples Sports Club and Malvern Sports Club celebrate their 100-year and 75-year anniversaries respectively, from 12 noon with a day full of activities.

The highlight of the day will be a match between a Malvern XI and a Maples XI from 4 pm. Entrance is free of charge, while food and drinks will be on sale and fun activities will be organised for both adults and children. Former Malvern stalwarts such as Eddie Hart and Selby Browne are expected to attend. Maples president Paul Regis is looking forward to the occasion.

Regis said, “Today is a very momentous day in some ways for people like me. Maples and Malvern go back a long time playing.”

Regis laughed as he reminded Malvern that Maples have been around for longer than them.

“Malvern came into the field of football a couple of years after us. Actually, Malvern is 75 years old this year, Maple is 100 years old. If they did something, I may recall that we did it before. Please don’t feel that I am trying to get ahead of them, we just happen to be born before them.”

Hart, who played for Malvern between 1959 to 1969, said the atmosphere around the club was tremendous. Hart said, “For those 10 years I spent there it was like a family, really, really, like a family. We gelled together quite easily. Got along with one another on and off the field. Sunday is a big day, the 15th, we calling on all sundry to come down and give the much needed support for this wonderful occasion.”

Browne thanked all the people who have allowed Malvern to make it to 75 years. “As we celebrate now the 75th anniversary, it is time for us to say thanks to those who laid the foundation, say thanks to those who applied themselves and say thanks to the youngsters who continue today to keep the name alive.”