The HFC commenced in the Federal League on May 3rd 1913 wearing blue and white vertical guernseys. It was not a glorious start going down against Moorabbin Park 2.5.17 to15.18.108. In fact it was a tough inception as HFC did not win a game for the first two years, and endured 32 straight losses before going into recess on account of the First World War.
The Club resumed in 1920 and lost its first game against Moorabbin on April 24 th , going down 10.17. 77 to 1.3.9. The first win for the " Tunners" was on 5 th June 1920 when they defeated Bentleigh by forfeit. For the the first win on the scoreboard, HFC had to wait until 21 st May 1921 when the "Tunners" triumphed 9.5.59 over Edithvale 7.6.48.
In 1930 HFC competed in the Berwick District Football Association.
Heatherton enjoyed its first premiership in 1938 in the Caufield Oakliegh District Football League when Heatherton scoring 13.16.94 defeated Oakleigh Districts 8.6.54. The following year in B section HFC went down to South Oakleigh in the grand final 13.17.95 to 16.11.97.
In 1946 HFC returned to the Federal League.
As a result of Moorabbin joining the VFA in 1951, their Under 18 teamed merged with Heatherton. With support from a major employer in the district. Heatherton FC became known as the Mentone Freighters Football Club and started to wear the Black and White colours we see today. That year the club was able to make the grand final from the first semi final but eventually succumbed on 29 th September going down 6.11.47 to Mordialloc 21.18.144.
Heatherton went on to be known as Mentone CYMS for a number of years and played in the CYMS and YCW competitions before joining the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) as Heatherton once again in 1975. In that first year HFC went down in the grand final to Monash Whites 13.13.91 to 16.10.106. From 1975 until 1989 the club competed in the VAFA winning premierships in 1977 and 1985.
In 1990 HFC joined the East Suburban Churches Football Association winning a premiership in 1992, the last year of this competition. Through a series of mergers the ESCFA became known as the Southern Football League. The "Tunners" had a succession of years in the finals, however success eluded them until 1998 when they won the premiership.
The Tunners won the 2006 SFL Div 2 premiership after a strong finals showing defeating early favourites Tooronga-Malvern in both the second semi and again in the grand final where the final scores were Heatherton 14.9.93 def Tooronga-Malvern 12.5.77.
Compiled by Damien Cody with kind assistance from Peter Crosland and Daryl Pitman. Email any info or photos you may have to damien@codyopal.com.
