REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Tuesday June 3, 1975

SPORTS and the community have had a tough relationship, even in the 1970s.

The Bulletin’s front page in early June 1975 bore news of threats made against a prominent Australian rules official.

Frank Sutherland was president of the Gold Coast Australian Football League, the governing body of Aussie rules in the region during a period in which the game grew in prominence.

For a week prior to the story, Sutherland had been stalked, “pestered” and threatened with violence by a series of mysterious callers.

“They must be Rules supporters to become so involved,” he said. “All they are doing is degrading our code.”

The cause and the identity of the callers were unknown but Sutherland said it had been “getting on my nerves”.

It was understood the malicious action began after a problem player was suspended at his behest. That player was named by the Bulletin as Graham Tyrell from Broadbeach.

Tyrell’s suspension came after official complaints were made about his behaviour on and off the field. It was alleged he had been part of “sideline and player incidents”.

However, Tyrell’s own club hit back at the threats made against Sutherland and condemned the behaviour of those responsible. Club president Andrew Calder told the Bulletin the threats were “idiotic and irresponsible”.

“Naturally people are going to think it came from somebody associated with our club,” he said. “I do not know who is behind this but I admit, quite frankly, I am disturbed.”