Byron Bay Football Club (BBFC) went into Football Far North Coast’s (FFNC) grand final on Saturday, 12 September at Oakes Oval with a team in each of the four grand finals and came away with a clean sweep, unprecedented in the both the club’s and FFNC history.
Men’s thirds
Men’s thirds kicked things off against Alstonville with a thrilling game that had them 3-0 up only to end 3-3 at full time. After extra time it was again locked up 5-5. After a tense penalty shootout, they deservedly prevailed and were grand final winners, having previously claimed the pointscore championship. Brian de Herdt was a worthy player of the match.
Men’s championship
The Men’s championship side took the field against the all-conquering Pottsville team, with a quiet belief they could prevail. Scoring early, they held the lead for most of the game until Pottsville eventually equalised. A resilient BBFC defence and some amazing saves by the goalie saw the game go into extra time. On tired legs both teams fought with plenty of heart until the Byron striker was brought down in the box. The ensuing penalty, taken by Rhys Newman, hit the underside of the bar and crossed the line, golazo! 2-1 up, the Byron team dug deep and saw out the game for a very deserved win. Tom Cohen, with his goalkeeping heroics, deservedly won player of the match.
Premier men
The Premier men were next, and hit the field with a point to prove against an indominable pointscore champions, Alstonville. An early goal and a sending-off put them immediately behind the eight ball, yet with a stoic and brave defence they headed in at half time only 0-1 down. A change of strategy was required and the second half saw Byron dominate with the ball, and after relentless pressure an equaliser was slotted late in the half. Extra time for the third time that day saw the goalie, Marcus Gibbs, step up for the team with a penalty save followed by an some outstanding one-on-one heroics. The team was inspired and after some sublime football, a relentless Byron scored a deserved goal, winning 2-1. Goalie Marcus Gibbs took out the player of the match award.
Premier women
Finally, could the Premier women make it four from four?
Playing the reigning premiers and pointscore winners Pottsville, Byron scored an early goal from a stunning free kick from captain Lucy Hastings and from that point Byron never looked like losing. Solid defence, great goalkeeping and relentless attacking pressure saw a second goal scored midway through the second half after a sneaky by-line run from Golden Boot awardee, Ruby Smith. An amazing team performance saw Lucy Hastings awarded player of the match.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
