It appears that by 1988 Finucane Island Football Club had been absorbed by Port Hedland Panthers Football Club.

Included in this posting is a copy of a letter from Secretary/Treasurer Mr Vic Gill appealing to all associated with the two clubs to rally together for the 1988 North Pilbara Football League season.

The letter reads:  “This letter is to inform you that a meeting has been called for all members, players, sponsors and supporters of the “Finucane Panthers Football Club” for Thursday night 11 February 1988 at 7.30pm at Pundalmarra Training Centre.

It has been necessary to call this meeting due to:-

  1. lack of response to pre-season training.
  2. Too few people willing to work the committee and behind the scenes.
  3. Number in doubt as to who will play (can we field three teams – League, Reserves and Colts?).

So far the prospects for our Club for the ’88 season looks dim.  The hard-working committee of the past years are either leaving the area, taking extended leave or have just had enough!  We need new blood, new ideas and people with a talent for getting the job done.  Surely some people out there can give it a go.  If you’ve never done committee work before we’ll help you learn, what could be more rewarding than to keep YOUR club together…”

“… Would you believe PANTHERS FOOTBALL CLUB will be 20 years old in 1989.  Let’s make it a goal to get our 20th birthday and have a celebration year.

There’s a lot of reasons why we should not fold up, namely:-

  1. Our Colts won the grand final in 1987.  We owe it to them to keep going so these great players con consistently play in the League side.
  2. All the efforts of all the hard workers for the last 18 years just cannot be forgotten.  Think of all our Life Members.  Let’s keep going to sho our special thanks to them.
  3. The Finucane Island Club are our major sponsor and have been generous in all aspects.  We can’t just repay them by saying PANTHERS aren’t a goer in ’88.
  4. Our last Grand Final win was in ’82.  Surely after 5 years it must be our turn again soon!
  5. We do have some hard workers and lovely people that don’t want to see our Club fold.  Gary Hassett has been in charge of our pre-season training, the numbers have been dismal (2-4 players a season).  He needs support, you can give it to him now!

By the way pre-season training is 5.30pm each Tuesday and Thursday at the South Hedland Pool.  A jog followed by a swim.  If you can’t make it for work reasons, phone Gary.

I could go on and on but it’s up to you the members players, sponsors, supporters and up and coming players and committee people.  Don’t let my next function I have to organise be a WAKE for FINUCANE PANTHERS FOOTBALL CLUB.  We’re all too good for that.  We can show them, please.

Cheers, Vic Gill.  8 February 1988″

Here’s the letter in full:

It's up to you in 1988 Finucane Panthers Sec/Treasurer, Life Member, Vic Gill
It’s up to you in 1988 Finucane Panthers Sec/Treasurer, Life Member, Vic Gill

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