A sense of excitement and pride in the navy blue jersey ran through the 105-strong crowd as the announcement that Jim Clarke, Max Rudd and Ron Milthorpe - all pillars of the club - were to be inducted. 

Jim Clarke 

JIM Clarke arrived in Cootamundra to work on the railways in 1951 as principal clerk in the Divisional Engineer’s Office and had an active interest in Australian Football.

Prior to arriving in Cootamundra, Jim had a strong association with the North Wagga Saints. 

Although never playing the game, Jim was a passionate supporter and administrator with former close friend from North Wagga Maurie Cousley and, along with Max Rudd, early discussions took place to gauge the interest in forming an Australian Football Club in Cootamundra.  

In January 1960 a meeting was called to form the Cootamundra Australian Rules Football Club. From that well attended meeting Jim was elected the club’s inaugural secretary. The club was called the Coota Cats and they were admitted into the Central Riverina Football League fielding teams in first and reserve grade.   

As secretary of the Cootamundra Australian Football Club, Jim steered the club in its formative years as well as carrying out much of the physical work.

The Coota Cats played their first four seasons at the Cootamundra Showground, but the need for a better home ground was the vision of Jim.

In the 1963 season the club adopted new jumpers, the same as the Carlton VFL club and so began the “Mighty Coota Blues”.   

In the summer of 1963 the club was given land near the old ‘Boys Club’ opposite Jubilee Park and developed it with working bees by club members to have it ready for the start of the 1964 season. 

The club lobbied local Council to have the ground named Clarke Park in recognition of Jim’s commitment in establishing the club much to Jim’s displeasure. A very humble person, Jim asked the Council to come up with an alternative name, which they initially agreed to do.

However, the Blues committee of the time insisted that there could be only be one name for the ground with Clarke Oval eventually agreed upon.  

In 1967 Jim Clarke was honoured with being inducted as the inaugural life member at the Blues presentation night and, in Max Rudd’s own words, “was one of the best we ever had”.

Sadly, Jim passed away in 1969 at the young age of 44 years.

Jim’s three sons, Peter, David, and Alan all played for the Blues in later years. 

In April this year, prior to the Blues playing Belconnen in the club’s first match of the season, Jim’s widow Norma cut a cake to celebrate 50 years of Australian Football at Clarke Oval. 

Max Rudd

IN 1948 Max Rudd trained with Richmond and made their final list under legendary coach Jack Dyer, however Max decided to return to the 

country to be with wife Betty and play with The Rock.  

Max Rudd came to Cootamundra in 1950 and had an association with the North Wagga Saints and   Junee. Max and a couple of players from Cootamundra travelled to Junee to play before the formation of the Cootamundra club.

In 1960, Max was one of the driving forces behind the formation of the Cootamundra Australian Football Club.  

As a footballer Max loved playing in the centre. In today’s game he would be called an on-baller.

In the club’s first season Max was the inaugural first grade best and fairest winner and he became the first dual winner of this award in 1964.    

In 1961 Max was one of four Cootamundra players selected for the Central Riverina League to play the South West League in an interleague match, the other three players being Maurie Cousley, Kel Drew and Rex Elvish. In 1962 the Coota Cats thrashed Rannock by 171 points with Max booting nine goals, then a club record.   

During Max’s playing career, he played just over 150 matches for the club - not bad considering he commenced playing with the club at the age of 35. It is believed he played his last match for the Blues in reserve grade when he was 50.  

Max was president of the club in 1973. He is a life member of the Blues and so is his wife Betty. 

At the 40th Year celebrations of CAFC conducted at the Cootamundra Town Hall in 1999, before a packed house of 280 members and guests, Max was presented with a Lifelong Achievement Award from NSW/ACT commissioner John Yates. 

In 2009, at the CAFC 50th Anniversary dinner at the Cootamundra Town Hall, Max received the ultimate accolade, when he was named in the Blues Team of the Half Century (1960-2009).

 Max was on the committee for the Blues for 41 years (1960-2000). 

Max’s sons Greg and Tony both played for the Blues. Greg is a triple premiership player for the club in 1973, 1974, and 1977 while Tony was a premiership player in 1980.

Nearly a decade ago, Max’s grandsons Matt and Trent Rudd played for the Blues and to this day, they are the only third generation footballers to play for the club.    

Max suffered a stroke in 2001 and he passed away in 2011 aged 86.

Ron Milthorpe 

RON Milthorpe arrived in Cootamundra in 1972 from Whitton (near Leeton) and was appointed captain coach of the Cootamundra Australian Football Club. 

Originally from Rutherglen in Victoria where he played in the powerful Ovens and Murray Football League, Ron Milthorpe brought a wealth of experience to the club.

Milthorpe was captain coach of the Blues for four seasons 1972 to 1975.

In 1973 Ron coached the Blues to their inaugural premiership defeating East Wagga by 33 points. The following season, success again came to the Blues when they defeated Barellan in a nailbiter by 11 points. To cap off a fine season, at the Blues presentation night, Ron was awarded best clubman.

Ron stood down as coach at the end of 1975 but continued to play and was a member of the 1977 and 1980 first grade premiership sides. 

In 1985, Ron finished his playing career by being a member of the inaugural reserve grade premiership side.   

Incredibly, Ron played in the first five premierships for the Blues and to date is the only coach to be at the helm for back-to-back titles, 1973 and 1974. 

Ron was the club president in 1980 and again took over the reigns as club coach in 1983.

In 1977 Ron was inducted as a life member of the Blues. 

In 2003 Ron was one of the driving forces for the Blues when the club decided to purchase an old house in Adams Street, renovate the house, and eventually sell it. Through Ron’s expertise and hard work with his employees, plus a reasonable amount of time volunteered by the Blues tradesman, the house sale returned a handy profit of $30,000.    

Ron’s son Brent played 257 games for the Blues (1989-2003 and 2012) and in 1992 was a member of the Blues first grade premiership side that defeated RAAF in the decider.

Brent joined his father as the first father and son to play in a Blues premiership side.   

In 1989 Ron played his last game for the Blues with Brent in reserve grade against Whitton at Whitton, filling in when the team was short, much to the displeasure of Ron’s wife Wendy.  

In later years, Ron has been active in many aspects of the Coota Blues. 

Apart from being a successful player and coach, Ron has been a sponsor, fundraiser, worker, mentor, and club medico - his association with the club spanning 42 years.