CHAIRMAN David Koch has used his speech at Port Adelaide’s 150^th Anniversary Gala event to pay homage to all of those who have contributed to the club becoming the most successful in the nation, giving special thanks to those who sacrificed so much in the tough times. 

In front of a huge crowd of 1600 at the Adelaide Convention Centre Koch invited past administrators or their representatives to the stage to join him as he opened the special occasion marking the club’s milestone. 

He told the crowd he represented all former club administrators that had led Port Adelaide with such great distinction since 1870, and built a legacy for the club’s current custodians.

“Tonight is about bringing the whole Port Adelaide family together. It is about unity amongst those of us who share a deep passion for this incredible football club and the role it plays in our collective lives,” Koch said.

“We are here tonight to celebrate our journey and our successes. And what an unbelievable journey it has been.

“But equally, Port Adelaide has had its battles. Periods where the club has been challenged, literally on its knees.

“Importantly, tonight we acknowledge that the heroes of the Port Adelaide Football Club aren’t just our premiership champions. They are also the people who sacrificed just as much to ensure our club endured through the most challenging times to give us, the current custodians, the opportunity to build on this incredible legacy.”

The Chairman thanked the people and families who committed financially when it needed it most, the Life Governors who ensured the club stayed afloat in the 1980s, and the players and officials who dominated in the 1990s as the club successfully entered the AFL.

But Koch reserved special thanks for former President Bruce Weber who led the push for AFL entry.

“Without Bruce’s courage and foresight there is every possibility we wouldn’t be here tonight and certainly not as an AFL club. For it was Bruce in the winter of 1990 that stood by Port Adelaide’s charter to compete in the best competition in the land,” Koch explained.

“Port Adelaide finished the decade as it began, with back to back premierships including a 16-goal to 1-goal win over North Adelaide in the 1989 Grand Final. All the while, Port Adelaide was losing champion players such as Grep Phillips, Bruce Abernethy, Craig Bradley, Greg Anderson, Martin Leslie and Dwayne Russell to the then VFL competition.

“Bruce Weber knew something had to give, not only for the best interests of Port Adelaide, but the best interests of South Australian football.

“So, in 1990, against the backdrop of an entire State attacking and ostracising him, Bruce stood firm with Port Adelaide’s best interests at heart. Bruce never took a backward step during this ugly and confronting period in South Australian football.

“He lived the “us against them” mantra every moment across 1990 and with John Cahill at the helm delivered us yet another premiership at season’s end.

“History will show, that despite the backlash, he was absolutely right in his push for South Australian representation in the AFL.

“Sadly, the ordeal cost him his business and ultimately his health, but tonight we acknowledge Bruce as one of the most important people in our club’s 150-year history.”

But Koch was also strong on ensuring those who were there during the lean years both in the AFL and the SANFL were recognised.

He noted the tough times for the club when it was forcibly split following its AFL entry, yet still managed to win two SANFL premierships while being forced to train away from Alberton.

“This 15-year period of separation was one of the toughest in our club’s journey,” Koch said.

“To the players and administrators who hung tough to unite Port Adelaide and forge the club we have today. You are the premiership heroes of this era.

“Off the field there were significant challenges, to re-build an SANFL club, a new home, new offices, new training base and a supporter base to share with a growing AFL club ... not insignificant!

“To the Presidents, Chairmen, and the Directors who committed their time and passion to the Magpies through this decade, we owe you a significant debt.

“It is no stretch to say that without your personal sacrifices (and for many of you money) the Port Adelaide we have today, united with our SANFL Magpie soul intact and truly connected with our AFL future, would not exist.

“Born from these years is the best game day ritual in Australian Sport (Never Tear us Apart)

“We must never forget what this moment means to our club and our people.”

Koch closed by telling the audience the club was in its strongest position for many years thanks to its work in China and new major partnerships with MG Motor and the Gupta Family Group.

He said he was honoured to share such a special occasion with so many Port Adelaide people, and excited about what the future holds.

“Tonight is about recognizing that the Port Adelaide Football Club is a family which sticks together, and where everyone is expected to do their bit,” Koch said.

“When we do, as our first 150 years has clearly shown us, extraordinary things happen.

“We are a club that has proudly stood the test of time.

“Surviving and prospering through Federation, two World Wars, the Great Depression and indeed all of the great upheavals in the storied history of South Australian football.

“Let’s enjoy taking the first exciting steps of the next 150 years.”