Putney Magpies

The London Gryphons were founded in 1999 by former West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Bears player Mark Zanotti. The club was originally made up of former rugby players and predominantly British. After Zanotti's return to Australia after one year where the Gryphons made the finals, the Gryphons struggled both off-field and on-field, and eventually formed a partnership with the London Collingwood Supporters group, changing their name and colours to match those of the AFL's Collingwood Magpies.

The Putney Magpies were started in 2004 by Simon Thorp in his capacity as President of the London Collingwood Supporters Club, a phoenix rising from the ashes of the London Gryphons. Simon landed some good sponsorship, attracted some of the former Gryphons players (as well as some new blood), and with a bit of help from the Collingwood Football Club, the Putney Magpies were born. Simon remained as President for the first two years and nurtured the club to what it is today and it is self-evident that without his persistence and conviction, the club would never have got off the ground.

Making the 2004 Conference Grand Final in its first year as a club, a top four finish in 2005, developing five International players who represented their country in the 2005 British Bulldogs tour to Melbourne for the AFL International Cup, and boasting the 2005 Conference Best and Fairest winner are some of the many accolades already amassed at the club.

In season 2008, the Putney Magpies competed in their first ever London AFL Grand Final, losing to the West London Wildcats.

Putney now field three teams in the AFL London Competition with a side to suit all levels and abilities. The Premiership side must field 9 Eu's on the field while the Conference side (known as the reserves) only has to field 2. The Social team is for anyone who wants to have come down and try the game and have a kick.

The Premiership side is coached by former Richmond, Essendon and Collingwood player Mark Pitura who also played games for Sturt in the SANFL.

Pre season training starts at the end of January every Sunday at 1pm. The season runs in the Summer months from the end of April until August. Home matches are played at Putney Heath on a Saturday.

The Putney Magpies train at South Park, Fulham at 6.30pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the summer months.

Club Snapshot

Logo:
City	London
Home Ground	Putney Heath
Established	2004
Nickname:	Magpies
President:	Michael Mullins
Coach:	Mark Pitura
Premierships:	Nil
Phone Contact:	07982 029 566
Email Contact:	play@putneymagpies.com
Website:	http://www.putneymagpies.com
Facebook:	http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2260816540