No-one gets by the gate keeper

By Teo Pellizzeri

July 11 2007

Shepparton News

Aloe Alfonsio has been a Shepparton South man from day one, collecting gate money from patrons since the club's formation in 1971.

Alfonsio, 67, was born in Calabria, Italy, and migrated to Australia in 1961 to live in Shepparton; he's stayed here ever since.

Standing at the gate with his money pouch and Shepparton South jacket, Alfonsio loves his role with the club more than ever.

"When the club was established all my friends said `come on Fonsie, come and support Shepparton South'," he said.

"I've been here through the rain and the cold because I love my soccer the same way I love my family."

Cup wins have been the highlight of Alfonsio's time with South, the awarding of his life membership also a special memory.

"Everyone was hugging me," he said.

"It was amazing to know that I was part of the club for life."

In his time on the gate Alfonsio has witnessed no end of trouble and horseplay in 36 years taking entrance money.

"You get all different sorts of people," he said.

"Honest and not so honest.

"There was one time when a man came up to me and say `please let me in, I have no money, please, please let me go in', so one time I let him come in.

"But the week after he came back and pretended he had no money again. This time I told him to jump into the river."

Alfonsio has one grandson, Pasquale Cirillo, who is eight years old.

"Of course I would love to see him play one day," Alfonsio said.

"It would give me great pride. I want to cheer `come on Pasquale'."

As for his own plans, Alfonsio is in no doubt as to what his future with the club will be.

"I will always be here to collect the money," he said. "Until the time they drop me in the big hole."