The search for the Missing Hawks began in 2002 when the Club made the decision to honour the players who had played at least one senior VFL/AFL game with a special numbered Club Tie that recorded their debut order.

At the inaugural HFC Hall of Fame function held on March 21 2003 at Melbourne Park Function Centre with the event called The Greatest Gathering, 271 former players were presented their Debut Ties. 

This night of nostalgia saw one of the largest numbers of ex-players meet together in the history of the Club.  Emotions ran high as friendships were renewed and stories of games won and lost, footy trips and more were recalled.

After that highly successful evening, the reality that the Club only had contact with 271 of its 816 players was disappointing. 

This realisation inspired the search for the Missing Hawks to begin in earnest. 

Since 2003, 63 new players have been added to the debut order with 879 players having now played at least one senior game. 

After 10 years of good fortune, some luck and lots of frustration the list of the Missing Hawk has been reduced to 36.

This search has instigated a number of successes for the Hawks Museum.  Many gaps in our team photos and player photos have been filled with donated guernseys, trophies and medallions adding to the Club Collection.

The latest Missing Hawk to be found is an example of how lucky one can be with this search. The week after the Grand Final to help sooth my pain of disappointment I visited a local jazz record shop ran by an old mate.  He pointed to a fellow customer and mentioned Haby meet Mike Warren his uncle played for your mob and I betcha he is one of your Missing Hawks.  Given the mood I was in I gave a nod of thanks, noted the players name and keep on searching for a record to buy.

A couple of days later I though I better check out the name of the player given to me, Neil Allison.  

To my utter surprise and delight he was on top of the list of the 37 players. 

I quickly rang Mike Warren’s number to give him the news that his uncle did play for Hawthorn and I had a Debut Tie number 182 waiting for him.  He quietly mentioned would I be interested in his trophies.  The trophies offered was a medallion presented to Allison when he won Hawthorn’s 2nd 18 Best & Fairest award and a small cup that he won as best on ground playing for Victoria.   He then said if I rang his sister in Tasmania she had a trophy that I might like as well, one he won with the senior team.  I contacted his sister and she was delighted that Hawthorn would be interested in her uncle’s trophy.  The cup arrived in the mail yesterday.  An art deco inspired cup it was the T W Dobson trophy for the Most Improved Player Season 1937. 

For the record Neil Allison played mainly as a wingman and second rover, 1934-39, games 34 goals 2 plus over 50 games with the 2nd 18.  He wore guernsey number 24 (1934) then number 9 (1935-39).  His football career was cut short when he enlisted in the army at the outbreak of WW 2 in 1939 being sent immediately to serve in Egypt. 

The Hawks Museum offers thanks to both Mike Warren and his sister Margaret Rozmarywienicz for their outstanding generosity.  Note Mike (above) is not to be confused with Mike Warren who works in the Community Dept at Hawthorn.

To see the Missing Hawks list click on hear and if you have any queries contact to the Hawks Museum on 03 9535 3075 or email hawksmuseum@hawthornfc.com.au