Are you interested in AFL sports history, are you a local footy purist, a past player or a new player still learning the game? This book is sure to capture your interest!
Hey all, it’s been a while but I have a new book out, The Panther has Landed, which is a non-fiction piece of my memoirs playing AFL on the Central Coast of NSW. It follows the history of AFL when it was first played in Newcastle way back in 1883 and then follows the ups and downs of the code as it tried to survive in the Rugby League heartland on the east coast of NSW.
Predominantly it follows the Terrigal/Avoca Australian Football Club, The Panthers, and their rise from a struggling foundation club in 1976 to become the most successful AFL club on the Central Coast of NSW by 1999.
AFL is now deeply rooted on the Coast but it wasn’t always that way. The book comprises 469 pages of history detailing the foundation, survival, and ultimate triumph of the Terrigal/Avoca AFC. It is a story of regional grit, community spirit, and the foundational years of the game. Packed with decades of history, memories, and the characters who built the game, this is a must-read for any AFL sports history buff.
I played for the old Gosford AFC after they joined the Newcastle AFL in 1972 and was a member of their Grand Final team in 1973. I then went on to play for the Terrigal/Avoca AFC in 1976 when the Gosford AFC split into five separate clubs to form the Central Coast Australian Football League.
The Panthers are the only original club of those that were formed in 1976 that has played consistently every year and now celebrating 50 years of competition this year.
Stay tuned to this site for further updates.
This book is available by googling The Panther has Landed by David McCathie and choosing the best options available on price, paperback or e-book.
I know I have been a bit slack with information on this site recently but I will endeavour to do better, including adding more Australian history.
