For 25 years, Doug Gibson has been the timekeeper and scoreboard operator for the Watsonia Football Club.
"I won't move out of Watsonia because the club would probably follow me" he says.
At 17, Doug wandered into the club, saw some children mucking about with the scoreboard and thought:"Right, let's get serious here"
The place has run like clockwork ever since !
South Morang score and timekeeper Paul Thomas sums up Dougies approach as, precise.
Watsonia Under 19's coach, Rick LeGassick said, "Doug was also at each of our Friday night games for the last two seasons and I could always, without fail, rely on Doug to tell me when the team needed to be on the ground and of course how long to go till the end of a quarter ! "
Before a game, Mr Gibson gets the scoreboard numbers ready and set up the siren.
"Then I get the signal from the umpire and I let the game rip," he said.
He is also the clubs current umpire escort but has carried out almost every voluntary task at the club since his arrival all those years ago.
"Dougie's been pretty full-on for 25 years" Watsonia President Allan Hunter said.
"Local footy clubs like ours couldn't survive without volunteers like Dougie"
Watching his beloved Watsonia keeps Doug , a powder-coater, turning up week after week, with no sign he is about to blow the siren any time soon.
"I'll keep going as long as I enjoy it" he said.
Not only has Dougie has been a timekeeper and scoreboard operator at our club but he's been able to fill-in at times for other clubs over those years.
Watsonia Football Club honoured Dougs services to the club with a celebration after the last game of the 2008 home and away season and officially announced the naming of the "Douglas Gibson Scoreboard"
Helping make it a momentous occasion, Dougs family and friends attended, along with past and present players, committee members and supporters as well as NFL General Manager Kevin Crompton.
It was also great to see many of the Reservoir players and supporters from that days game joining the celebration well into the evening too. Reservoir Football Club no doubt appreciate the work of local club volunteers and congratulated Dougie accordingly.
Last Modified on 22/08/2008 13:37