In recognition of Fremantle’s first two decades in the AFL, the club has launched Fremantle Dockers: An Illustrated History.

The book charts the origins of the Fremantle Football Club and weaves together the rich tapestry of players, coaches, administrators, fans and moments that have made it the club it is today.

With a foreword by club captain Matthew Pavlich, the 272-page glossy hard cover publication was written by journalist and author Les Everett, a former Fremantle board member and inaugural editor of Docker – the club’s official magazine.

“Fremantle Dockers: An Illustrated History lays that history bare for all to see, highs and lows and moments in between,” Pavlich writes in the book’s foreword.

“The early days were tough, with a first finals appearance at age eight and a first Grand Final appearance at age 19. We have taken a while to grow up, haven’t we, but who doesn’t?”

Pavlich notes that he “matured along with the footy club”.

“Through failure and adversity shine perseverance and one’s true character,” he writes.

“This book describes all those growing pains, but I can now confidently and without doubt say that we are now a serious football club, proud of our history and excited about our future.”

The 300-plus game veteran and six-time Doig Medallist also gives readers an insight into his thoughts about the future.

“I look forward to the day…I can tell my kids and grandchildren that I proudly represented the Fremantle Football Club in our formative years, explaining the trials and tribulations – and the great highs – that we have gone through together,” he said.

“But I’m desperate to help write the next chapter of this club’s history.”

During a team photo shoot in February 1995 to capture the image that appears on the back cover of the book, Everett mused that he would one day write the history of the Fremantle Football Club.

Given that the club was still very much in its infancy and was yet to play an official AFL game, it was an ambitious aim but one that was to prove prophetic.

Fast forward to 2008 when documenting the club’s history, players and brand was identified as a high priority as Fremantle’s board and executive team set about shaping the club’s strategic plan for 2009-2011.

Although Fremantle was by then it its 14th season in the AFL, there was sparse formal documentation held by the club in terms of its history and players.

Consequently, the 2009-2011 Strategic Plan listed the following aim: “To provide for the next generation of stakeholders and recognise and celebrate the club’s history, champions and brand.”

Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said the initial aim of compiling a written history of the club subsequently morphed into the concept of publishing the material in book format to coincide with the club’s 20th season in the AFL in 2014.

“The book includes interviews with many of our great players and current and former administrators plus stories about the highs and lows that are part and parcel of being a team in arguably one of the toughest competitions in world sport,” Rosich said.

“Fremantle Dockers: An Illustrated History has achieved our aim of providing for the next generation of stakeholders by recognising our history and all the great players who have proudly worn the Fremantle Dockers’ jumper in our first two decades in the AFL.”

Everett has spent countless hours during the past four years interviewing dozens of past and present Fremantle players, coaches and officials. 

“I got to a point in 2012 where I had piles and piles of interview transcripts,” Everett said.

“There was this one rainy day in my hotel room in Melbourne when I transcribed my interview with Matthew Pavlich. It went all day and well into the night.”

Getting the Melbourne-based Slattery Media Group on board as publisher helped Everett make some sense of the thousands and thousands of words.

“I went from having this huge mountain of papers in front of me that I didn’t know what I was going to do with, to everything then just falling into place and becoming logical,” he said.

“I ploughed through it then.”

Despite all the hard work that was required, Everett thoroughly enjoyed speaking to Fremantle Dockers players and officials from all eras.

Among his favourite interviews for the book was a conversation with former president Rick Hart.

“There’s something about the way Rick Hart speaks,” Everett said.

“His story about the famous ‘truth’ meeting in 2006, when the season looked like it was going off the rails, and the players getting together over a couple of beers and a bonfire at his farming property in Serpentine, was very funny.”

Among the more controversial was a chat with former Freo coach and current National Party politician Damian Drum at Parliament House in Melbourne.

“He had such a fractured relationship with the CEO David Hatt,” Everett says.

“That was an era that I was very close to and one I remember very vividly.”

Speaking to current stars was also very interesting and often rewarding for the 59-year-old.

“One in particular was Michael Johnson – there’s something about his sincerity and what he’d gone through, it’s a great story and I really enjoyed speaking to him,” Everett said.

“Some players were mystified when approached about an interview for the book.

“Why do you want to speak to me?’ they said. They weren’t aware how important they’ve been to the club.”

With the book now complete, Everett is looking forward to the next chapter of the club’s history.

Whether it’s him or somebody else that writes them, he hopes there’ll be some more great stories to add to a 40 or 50-year history publication down the track.

“The way it’s been structured, people can just add to the book,” he says.

“Hopefully, there’s a premiership to write about.”

A must have for any die-hard Docker, the official release date for the book is Friday 1 August. RRP is $49.95.

But Fremantle fans can pre-order their copy of the book now.

All members who pre-order online will receive a 10 per cent discount (the discount offer ends on 31 July)

From Tuesday 22 July, the book is available at the Fremantle Team Stores:

Fremantle Oval, Parry Street, Fremantle
OR
Patersons Stadium, near gate 13.

From Friday 1 August, the book will also be available from the Slattery Media Group and book stores.