History
Garden's Reserve (sometimes stylised Gardens Reserve) was established in the 1870s. [6] The Williamstown Football Club (WFC), which was established in 1864 and initially competed in junior [a] competitions, was granted permission by Williamstown Council to play its home matches on the ground in 1872. [8]
In 1884, Williamstown was elevated from junior status and entered the Victorian Football Association (VFA) as a senior side. [9] The club sought to play its home matches at the Williamstown Cricket Ground (WCG), located approximately 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) away, but were not granted permission owing to a dispute with the Williamstown Cricket Club, and WFC was forced to continue playing at Garden's Reserve. [10] Because the ground was unfenced, WFC was unable to charge for admission to its home matches. [11]
Players wishing to play on the cricket ground ultimately established a rival senior club, the South Williamstown Football Club, which contested the VFA in 1886 and 1887. [12] The dispute was settled in 1888 and South Williamstown amalgamated with Williamstown; and, through an organisational affiliation with the cricket club, the WCG was established as the football club's permanent home ground. [13] The final VFA match at Garden's Reserve was between Williamstown and St Kilda on 17 September 1887, in front of a crowd of 400 people. [14]
The Williamstown CYMS Football Club played at Garden's Reserve as early as 1909, while the Williamstown Lacrosse Club moved there in 1910. [15] At this time, the ground (nicknamed "The Gardens") was described by lacrosse players as a "cow paddock" because it did not have a proper playing field. [16] When the ground was redeveloped in 1936, it was renamed to Fearon Reserve in honour of James Fearon (1863–1944), a harbour pilot who served as the president of the Williamstown Lacrosse Club between 1901 and 1943. [17] [18]
Until the late 1970s, the player changing room and the social clubrooms were located in the same area, forcing supporters to wait outside while the players showered. [15] A wooden pavilion stood on the western side of the ground (shared by Williamstown CYMS and the Williamstown United Football Club) before it was replaced by a brick building. [15]
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