Player, Administrator

Frederick ‘Ted’ Salmon was one of the people at the first meeting of the South Australian British Football Association (SABFA) in October 1902 (possibly born in Adelaide in December 1876 and therefore 25 years old at the time).

A Salmon (presumed Ted) was one of the players selected in the first unofficial South Australia team against the crew of HMS Ringarooma in July 1893, held at Prince Alfred College Ground, resulting in a 1-1 draw, where he played as a ‘back’. He was 16 years old at the time.

Club details for Ted Salmon and the explanation of the early history in the Port Adelaide area is with thanks to Colin Alagich’s book, 100 Years of the World Game in Port Adelaide.

1903
Club formed as Woodville “British Football” Club

Frederick ‘Ted’ Salmon is credited with placing an advertisement in The Advertiser newspaper calling for interested players to form a club in the Port. Unfortunately, the advert appeared the day after the meeting was scheduled.

The club joined the first South Australian British Football Association league in 1903 and Ted Salmon was their first captain.

Ted Salmon captained Woodville in the first league of three teams in 1903 and played in the league’s very first match against South Adelaide where they lost 4-1. They finished the season with three wins from eight games, and just two points behind league winners North Adelaide.

1904

Woodville improves in the second season and wins the 4-team league, captained by Ted.

Ted again represents South Australia in its 9-0 win over the sailors of HMS Katoomba on 20 July 1904 at Adelaide Oval and is listed among the best players as an impenetrable back man.

Mid-1905
Woodville club name changed to Port Adelaide “British Football” Club

Because of an initial lack of support in the Port District, Ted established the club at Woodville Park. By 1905, Ted was finally able to persuade most of the Woodville players and committee to change the club’s name to Port Adelaide and move a short distance to Cheltenham (now the eastern end of the Cheltenham Cemetery).

Source: https://www.portpirates.com.au/about

Ted Salmon acted as a club delegate to the SABFA meetings from 1902 until at least 1909.