1870 ...

John Hart senior (the father of the Port Adelaide Football Club's first president) is Premier of South Australia ... Port Adelaide always has been synonymous with power.

A new game capturing the attention of the southern colonies - Australian football - is just 12 years old.

Three men - Messrs. John A. Rann, George Ireland and R. W. J. Leicester - meet at North Parade, Port Adelaide late in April to consider ways to give the youth of the district meaningful social activities.

And the Port Adelaide Cricket Club became the Port Adelaide Cricket and Football Club in May 1870 with this advertisement in the Adelaide newspapers and journals declaring the first football of this new venture would be kicked in anger - and joy - on Saturday, May 14 at Glanville on the home estate of Captain John Hart.

As the Port Adelaide Football Club celebrates its 150th anniversary season so much more is known of the club's story than it was before the 50th and even 100th anniversary.

Today, we know...

That first session on May 14 - a practice game for a sport that still had no league and no uniform rules across South Australia - sparked the will to build South Australia's most successful sporting club. At the end of that "internal" on Buck's Flat at Glanville, the club's determination to make a powerful mark on the new Australian game could not be questioned.

Just two months later, on Friday, July 15, the club was called together to learn of its first official match.

And on Saturday, July 28 it all began with pride and passion on the North Parklands - Port Adelaide versus Young Australian, a newly formed (and shortlived) football club in the city of Adelaide.

It is no surprise Port Adelaide took this landmark moment seriously, as The Advertiser reported:  "The Portonians assembled in force, having their whole team of 16, whilst the Young Australians had great difficulty in mustering half that number; however with the aid of a substitute or two the game was commenced.

"The Young Australians were captained by Mr. J. C. Smith, and the Portonians by Mr. J. Wald. After some smart play the Portonians succeeded in getting the first goal, which was kicked by Wald. The Young Australians got one goal also, which was kicked in fine style by W. Higgins. The ground was very slippery, and the falls were numerous. The game concluded at half-past 5 o clock, each side having got one goal. The return match will be played at Port Adelaide at some future date."

On August 20 to be precise. The Express and Telegraph newspaper noted, in what was to be one of Port Adelaide's early traditions, that "the Port Artillery Band is engaged to be present" ...and "should the weather prove favorable there will no doubt be an interesting-game."

The band made quite an impression. And the weather was not too kind as a sandstorm blew off the nearby shore at Semaphore to Buck's Flat at Glanville.

The Express recorded: "There were 15 players on each side, and Messrs. H. Y. Sparks, and F. Stone acted, respectively as captains. Play commenced about 3 o'clock, the Young Australians winning the toss, and electing to kick with the wind, which was exceedingly strong throughout the afternoon.

"The first goal was scored by Conigrave for the Young Australians, after a hard contest. The goals, having been changed, the Portonians secured the wind and in about a quarter of an hour J. Wald managed to rise the ball through the goal for them. The ends were, again changed, and the game continued till sundown with increased spirit, the play of the Portonians being particularly good.

"No other goal however, was scored. There was a large attendance of visitors and the Port Adelaide Artillery Band added greatly to the, pleasure of the meeting."

It became a best-of-three series with the last competitive game of Port Adelaide's first season at the North Parklands on September 10. Young Australian won, 2-0. And the band kept playing...

"The game was an exceedingly good one, the Young Australians especially showing some good play," reported the South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail.

"The Concordia Band was present, and enlivened the proceedings."

The original band - the Port Adelaide Artillery Band - was back when the club closed the season, as it began, with an internal at Buck's Flat on October 1. Blues v Whites, in recognition of the club's first colours.

The Evening Journal recorded: "Mr. George Ireland was captain of the blues and Mr. J. Counsell for the whites. Shortly before 3 p.m. the Hon. the Treasurer kicked off the ball, and after an hour and a half's hard play Mr. J. Wald got a goal for the blues.

"Play was continued till 5 o'clock, that being the time arranged for closing. No other goal being taken the blues were declared victors.

"Mrs. Hart then presented the prizes to the successful competitors, Messrs. Ireland, Wald, Middleton, Rann, Leicester, Pickhaver, Quin, Stevens, Wells, Eve, Sparnon, and Ottaway.

"Cheers were given for Captain, Mrs., and Miss Hart on arriving and leaving the ground, which was decorated with numerous flags and a very tasteful arch.

"There was a large concourse of spectators...The Port Adelaide Artillery Band enlivened the game with spirited music. Altogether the proceedings reflected credit on the Club, and was a fitting close to a successful season."

And so the Port Adelaide Football Club story begins...

To be among the first to read all of the Port Adelaide Football Club's story since 1870 you can pre-order the Port Adelaide Football Club Archives Collection.

This commemorative book chronicles how a juggernaut from Alberton was created and how it became loved and loathed in equal measure.

The limited-edition piece gives members and supporters rare insight into the club's storied history, as the Port Adelaide Football Club History Committee, along with key staff, worked tirelessly to put together a piece that encapsulates every element of the club's rich history.

The collection gives never before seen access to the moments in time that made Port Adelaide Australia's most decorated football club and includes rare photographs, profiles of star players from the club’s 150-year history, and unseen lift out memorabilia including replica player medals, premiership cards, Fos Williams’ coaching notes and so much more.

All of Port Adelaide's True Believers can also be a part of this incredible piece of the club's history, with a special section within the book dedicated to the passionate supporters that have shared the club's journey from the wharves of Port Adelaide to the national stage.

For a limited time upload a photo to be featured in this special section, making the collection the perfect gift to commemorate the club's special place in your life.

Click here to secure your unique piece of Port Adelaide history.