WARRNAMBOOL Football Netball Club has retrospectively awarded two former champions life memberships.
Club officials have presented brothers George and Percy Lake with the honour after research unearthed their true service to the club.
George, the eldest of five brothers, played more than 100 matches between 1934 and 1940 and in 1946, including three premierships.
He was the first Warrnambool player to reach the 100-game milestone.
Percy donned a Blues jumper 98 times between 1937 and 1940 and 1946 and 1947 and won four flags, before becoming captain-coach of West End-Allansford.
But new information unearthed this year shows he returned to play with Warrnambool in the 1950 second semi-final and grand final to reach triple figures.
Warrnambool Football Netball Club awards its 100-game players with life membership but an “oversight” meant the club had not recognised the brothers.
Football manager Ray Philips said he was happy to put the record straight.
“Obviously as a club we’re happy to honour gentlemen who have played 100 games with us,” he said.
“I don’t know why it wasn’t picked up earlier in the piece, for some reason.
“We’re proud to honour all our 100-game players. We regret the oversight but we’re very happy to pick it up.”
Warrnambool Football Netball Club history book Birth Of The Blues mentions George having played “more than 100 games”.
The book describes him as an “orthodox style of player, he could hold down many positions”.
It highlights Percy’s 98 games at centre half-forward.
But new information about Percy’s return in 1950, discovered by his son Ken, prompted the club to update its honour roll.
Ken Lake said a story in The Standard in 1950, which he found on microfilm at Warrnambool’s library, confirmed his father played 100 games.
“I got started on it about four years ago when I was down there for a premiership reunion,” the Melbourne resident said.
“Dad was in the 1937 team and that time there were four of them alive, but it’s down to one now.
“I had it in the back of my mind when I was younger that he played 100 games.
“I went down to the library and dug out the microfilm. They said a chance in a million, but I found it.”
Percy, 95, is the only living Lake brother and these days calls the Gold Coast home.