The ANZAC issue of the AFL's Footy Record has included an article about the Vietnam Football League which was played during the war - including the Vung Tau Greyhound Racing Track which was then known as the Lord Mayor's Oval..

Last week’s ANZAC Issue of the AFL’s Footy Record included an article by Michael Lovett titled, Fond memories of Vietnam’s Lord Mayor’s Oval.

The article looks at the Vietnam Football League which was played during the conflict. Below is an extract.

Many Australian tourists would be familiar with Vung Tau, often described as one of the most beautiful cities in Vietnam. Located on the coast of southern Vietnam, Vung Tau boasts pristine beaches, a world-class golf course, resorts and even a theme park. It’s a different place to the one thousands of Australian soldiers knew when Vung Tau was home to Australian army support units during the Vietnam War.

Despite the hardship the Australians faced, in rare moments of downtime they wanted to continue the trappings – and traditions – of home. A game of cards, with an ample supply of beer, was a popular pastime, as were makeshift golf courses and impromptu cricket matches. However, Australian Football was not high on the agenda, certainly not in any organised form, until one digger found himself in trouble with his commanding officer.

Private John Heaney, a National Service conscript, from 1 Transport Platoon RAASC (Royal Australian Army Service Corps), ran foul of his CO. Private Heaney was given two choices: organise a game of Australian Football or face detention and other penalties. “He thought about it for a second and chose the first option,” said Stan Middleton, now the Vietnam Football League’s official historian and himself a returned Vietnam veteran. Private Heaney and others found a soccer ground that became fondly known as the ‘Lord Mayor’s Oval’ and the first organised game was played in late 1966, using 14-a-side teams

A full-scale competition between various Australian units based in Vung Tau was established in 1967
and ran through to 1971.

• To read the rest of Michael Lovett’s article from the AFL’s Footy Record, click here.
• To read a detailed history of the Vietnam Football League which was written by Stan Middleton, click onto the Vietnam Swans’ Official magazine of the ANZAC Friendship Magazine (2012).
• To read other articles related to the Vietnam Swans that have appeared in the media, click here.