EVERY week for almost three decades, Len Alford has strapped his unwavering support around the ankles of Newtown & Chilwell club legend Craig Morrissy.
Morrissy is set to pull on the famous Eagles strip for the 400th time on Saturday when he runs out for the reserves against St Mary's at Elderslie Reserve.
"(Len's) been at the footy club about 40 years and he's been strapping my ankles since about 1982, he's just an unbelievable fella," Morrissy said this week of the popular club stalwart.
"For many years he's been a fantastic volunteer and when his wife passed away, he turned to the footy club for a family and he's just been an absolute inspiration."
Morrissy, 43, made his way into senior ranks at Newtown & Chilwell in 1984 and later spent a year at Geelong under-19s before returning to play in the Eagles' most recent senior premiership in 1986.
For almost two decades he maintained his place in the senior side and his name is etched in history as the club's senior games record holder.
"To captain-coach the reserves premiership 20 years after the 1986 senior flag was the biggest highlight because I suppose I'm a little older and realise how important those wins are," he said.
Morrissy, who has been blessed with a healthy run on the injury front, has no plans yet to retire, but said he would move on if he felt he was denying a young talent the chance to play.
Remarkably, Morrissy juggles his football commitments with fatherhood he has four children under eight and owns Soft Coffee Lounge.
The Eagles reserves are so far undefeated this season, with more than 30 players registered for finals action and, despite his years of experience, Morrissy concedes his position is far from secure.
In his mid 30s he dropped down to the reserves, where he won back-to-back league best and fairest medals (2003-04), before captain-coaching the Eagles to the 2006 reserves flag.
"To captain-coach the reserves premiership 20 years after the 1986 senior flag was the biggest highlight because I suppose I'm a little older and realise how important those wins are," he said.
Morrissy, who has been blessed with a healthy run on the injury front, has no plans yet to retire, but said he would move on if he felt he was denying a young talent the chance to play.
Remarkably, Morrissy juggles his football commitments with fatherhood he has four children under eight and owns Soft Coffee Lounge.
The Eagles reserves are so far undefeated this season, with more than 30 players registered for finals action and, despite his years of experience, Morrissy concedes his position is far from secure.
"It's a really tough list, so getting a game will be tough for me," he said.
"Our coach Scott McDonald has been great getting me to 400 games, so I just need to prove my spot and have an impact when I get onto the ground."
Last Modified on 19/01/2011 10:46
