A chance meeting between official Bulldogs historian Darren Arthur and staff at Maribyrnong Council has led to have led to an historical addition to the Club’s museum at Victoria University Whitten Oval.

A book of newspaper clippings and memorabilia from the 1924 Victorian Championship game between the Footscray and Essendon, a game that it’s said was crucial to the Dogs’ admittance into the VFL competition the following year, was found in an attic during a clean-up.

“They brought this out and said you might be interested in this,” Arthur told the Maribyrnong Leader.

“Being in charge (of the museum), I knew the importance of it, it’s a fairly rare thing to get.”

The book was put together by then town clerk John Gent and was officially handed over to CEO Ameet Bains by Maribyrnong mayor Cuc Lam and is now available for viewing in the museum.

“It’s fantastic news,” Bains said.

“Obviously a great insight into the club’s history, particularly around the 1924 final and the clubs transition into the then VFL.”

When the VFL and VFA split in 1897, regular attempts were made to stage a game between the premiers of each competition, but the 1924 match, which raised money for the Dame Nellie Melba Appeal for Limbless Soldiers, was just the third time it happened.

Footscray went into the game as underdogs but emerged 28-point-winners, and joined Hawthorn and North Melbourne the following season as the VFL’s newest teams.

The museum is open during office hours Monday to Friday and is free entry.  Click here for more information.