UNIQUE contributions by footballers and administrators have been recognised by the induction of seven people into the Ovens and King League’s Hall of Fame.
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It was launched at a breakfast held on Saturday morning before the league’s grand finals swung into action at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.
Clyde Baker, Ray Burns, Clem Goonan, Mick Nolan, Jim Skinns, Richie Shanley and Lionel Wallace received recognition for their contributions in the league.
The late Clyde Baker became league secretary in 1934 and held the position until 1973 when his son Fred took over the job.
Nolan played for Tarrawingee before transferring to Wangaratta Rovers and later played more than 100 matches with North Melbourne.
The late Jim Skinns was an outstanding player for King Valley over a long period and Lionel Wallace has been rated by many as the best footballer the league has produced.
He had many years with Greta before belatedly playing for Wangaratta and starring in Ovens and Murray premierships.
Shanley began his senior career with Moyhu when he was 15 in 1950.
He had a 20-year career, played in premierships in 1959, 1960 and 1962 and went for 15 seasons without missing a match through injury.
He coached Moyhu, was a goal umpire in many senior grand finals and a league selector.
Goonan played five seasons with Whorouly and won the league best and fairest when just 15 years old.
He transferred to Myrtleford for a season in 1959, joined South Melbourne in 1961 and played 50 senior matches until 1964.
Goonan joined Albury in 1965, but missed the Tigers premiership the following year with a knee injury, coached Rutherglen in 1971 and 1973 and Hume league club Burrumbuttock in 1973.
Burns played for Richmond reserves before joining Wangaratta Rovers in 1958.
He played in three successive grand finals, transferred to Moyhu and won a premiership with the team being undefeated.
Later Burns went to Tarrawingee, coached a premiership team and finished with the amazing record of playing in nine grand finals in 10 years after arriving in Wangaratta.
