Terry Holden, part of Vietnam's 1967 premiership team will lay wreath for Swannies in Thailand on ANZAC Day

In 2009, the Vietnam Swans travelled to Thailand to play a match against the Thailand Tigers in an extremely memorable and emotional ANZAC Weekend.

The Thailand Tigers also organised a very privileged moment for the Vietnam Swans – to lay a wreath during the Official Service at the Kanachanaburi War Cemetery.

A week ago, Terry Holden, Vietnam Veteran and long time friend of Club President, Phil Johns, advised that he was going to Thailand for the 2011 ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass. He would also attend the service at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.

Phil then contacted the Thailand Tigers to see if a wreath could be organised for Terry to lay on behalf of the Vietnam Swans at this year’s service.

Swannies' Hanoi and National Presidents lay a wreath in Kanchanaburi, 2009

The Tigers, forever the perfect hosts, replied in the affirmative.

Terry explained that he was “chuffed”.

Terry added that during the Vietnam War, he had also played on the Lord Mayor’s Oval, now the greyhound racing track –  in Vung Tau. That is the the venue we will use for our 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match against the Hong Kong Dragons.

Terry played for the 5 COY team in the Vietnam Football League (VFL) – which went on to win the 1967 McVilley Shield.

With our new found additional knowledge of the VFL, the Swannies then contacted the Vietnam Football League’s unofficial historian, Stan Middleton, to see if he knew Terry. Apparently, they didn’t know each other from Vietnam. However, they did know each other from Stawell back in Victoria.