For generations of boys in the Newcastle suburb of Wallsend, the dream was singular and powerful: to pull on the famous red and white jersey and represent their local football club in the first grade. For 94-year-old Jack O'Brien, that childhood fantasy became a glorious reality, cementing his place among the legends of one of Australia's oldest soccer institutions.
A Living History in Numbers
In a remarkable project celebrating community and legacy, the Wallsend Football Club, founded in 1887, has compiled a definitive list of every footballer to have played first grade for the Red Devils. The list, painstakingly assembled over six months by a group of dedicated Old Boys led by Allen Hardes, contains 1040 names, telling the story of a club that has been a cornerstone of Newcastle sport for nearly 140 years.
Shirt number one belongs to David Gilchrist, a player whose first name was rediscovered during the research. At number 289 sits the club's most famous son, the legendary Australian goalscorer Reg Date. The list also includes 20 Australian representatives, a testament to the home-grown talent that made Wallsend a dominant force in local and state competitions from the 1930s through the 1960s.
Connecting Past Glory to Future Hope
The initiative is more than just a historical record; it's a bridge between the club's storied past and its ambitious future. Players from the list, or their families, can now purchase personalised Wallsend shirts and hats featuring their unique number. The club also offers free match entry to anyone wearing the gear, fostering a tangible link between supporters and history.
"You'd watch the State of Origin or the cricket, and they'd have player numbers on their shirts, and I thought, there's a bit of history here in Wallsend," Allen Hardes explained. "At the end of the day, it's all about community. That's what Wallsend has always been. If you lived in Wallsend, that's who you played for."
For Jack O'Brien, number 374, the project holds deep personal significance. A third-generation Wallsend first-grader, O'Brien followed his grandfather John Jobling (No.31) and father Jack O'Brien snr (No.190), a Socceroo, into the team. He debuted in 1951 and played 13 seasons, representing Australia at the club's beloved former home ground, Crystal Palace.
"It was a beautiful ground," O'Brien reminisced. "It was a football ground. It wasn't a cricket oval... I played football all around Australia and never played on anything like that ground." The loss of Crystal Palace in 1985 was a blow from which the club never fully recovered, facing near-collapse just two years ago.
The Rebuild: Community as the Foundation
Today, a passionate committee and group of Old Boys are driving a slow but determined rebuild, with a community-focused ethos at its heart. The aim is for local kids to stay local and eventually feed into the senior side. The club currently competes in Northern League One and aspires to return to the National Premier Leagues.
Director of football and first-grade coach Chris Gallagher, number 714, embodies the club's family spirit. He and his late brother Peter (No.715) were juniors, and his sons Kobe (No.1000) and Zac (No.1034) are now in the first-grade squad. His parents are long-serving volunteers.
"We're trying to re-establish connections with the community and surrounding junior clubs," Gallagher said. "Everyone's got an eye on the future... but you've got to stay true to your heritage and that was part of the reason we wanted to do the shirts."
A significant hurdle remains facilities. The club has only part-time use of The Gardens at Birmingham Gardens and pins future hopes on Newcastle Council's proposed new sports precinct at Creek Road, Maryland. This facility is seen as key to delivering the club's plans for expanded boys' and, crucially, all-girls' junior and senior programs.
"To be able to establish a footprint with men's and women's and boys' and girls' football has been very difficult," Gallagher admitted. "The long-term plan is to bring as many of the local, quality players from the 2287 area back to Wallsend to get us strong and successful again."
As the club approaches its 140th season, the list of 1040 names is a powerful symbol of resilience. It honours the legends like Jack O'Brien and Reg Date, while creating a permanent legacy for every player who contributed to the Red Devils' story. It's a history written in numbers, now fuelling the dream of future greatness for a proud Newcastle institution.
