ObituarysTributes - Chelsea Football Netball Club

Obituarys/Tributes

SMITH Harold (Dumpy) Smith 11th June 2016

The Club is saddended to receive news of the passing of Harry "Dumpy" Smith.

Dumpy was a player, life member, committeeman and longtime supporter and true benefactor to our club.

A regular Reserves player throughout the 1950's and early 1960, Dumpy was a winner of a Reserve Best & Fairest Dumpy and was a talented, clever and fleet of foot wing-man who was just as popular on the field with his team mates and opponents alike as he was off-field with committee and supporters.

When Dumpy finished his playing career in the early 1960's he duly became a dedicated supporter never missing a game and built a reputation as being an astute judge of football for which his opinion was often sought by club officials.

So much so that in 1976 with prompting from Ray & Ron King, Dumpy accepted a key head Selector role to the newly appointed Capt Coach Noel Anstey. Dumpy's no nonsense approach at the selection tabled throughout that season helped guide this talented team to the top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season however with two narrow defeats in the finals because a injuries to several key players saw the team slip out of the finals race.

It was only a few years later that Dumpy had a very serious work place road accident that took him years to recover yet did not stop "the Dump" from supporting his "team".

An immensely private person Dumpy preferred to be behind the scenes and for years watched games from the other side of the ground away from the regular crowd where he could study form and game-plan.

Dumpy was widely known for his significant financial generosity to the club, supporting both senior & junior sides and every Club fund-raising activity for over 45 years.

Having watched all Chelsea FC Premierships from 1955 to 2006 'the Dump' was once asked who was our best ever Premiership team ? - to which he replied: "the 1955 team could have played in 'gum-boots' and beaten the lot of them' !

Vale "Dumpy" Smith

Funeral Details: Gateway Funerals, Wells Road Chelsea Heights, 21st June at 10am.

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PITTARD Frank 24th March 2015

The Club is saddened to receive news of the passing of Frank Pittard.

The following is a tribute offered by long standing Chelsea Football Club identity Ray Stuart, which has been posted with his approval.

Frank was a most loyal and respected patron of the Chelsea Football Club Inc. He was a dedicated player, committeeman and long time valued member to our great Club for an exceptional period of 70 years.

During the 1970's & 80's Frank and Esme followed their sons' playing careers with committed dedication, in particular Tony, who himself ultimately received a CFC Life Membership.

I personally hold Frank Pittard in the most highest esteem, for his integrity, his ethics and principles in life that he shared with his family as well as his business and sporting colleagues.

RIP

Ray J Stuart
Chelsea Football Club Inc
President 2001-05
Secretary 1977-78-86-87-88-89-90
Life Member-1977
Life Member -MPNFL - 1989

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EDWARDS Arthur (Itchy) 12th July 2013

The Club is sad to receive news of the passing on 12th July of Arthur (Itchy) Edwards.

Arthur played with the Club in the 50's and in his early days we find in our records a photo of the 1952 of which Arthur was Captain.

The Club offers it's since condolences to his wife Isie, his family and friends.

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HIGGS Alan 14th July 2013

THe Club is saddended to receive notice of the passing of Alan Higgs following a 6 month battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

A Life Member of The Club Alan was a larger than life figure in the mid 60's to mid 70's. He was an all round sportsman, football in the winetr where he played mostly reserves but he did manage 21 senior games and in the summer he turned his attention to cricket.He also participated on the golf course where he was a member of the Long Island Golf Club.

The club extends our sincere condolances to Alan's wife Margaret, his family and friends.

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HART Ricky 23rd February 2013

The Chelsea Football Club is sad to receive news of the sudden passing of Ricky Hart on 23rd of February.

Ricky played 51 senior games with The Club between 1982 and 1985 before joining Edthvale Aspendale in 1986 where he was appointed assistant coach (playing), kicking 100 plus goals in his first year. Rick was selected as a Interleague player in the same year.

On behalf of The Chelsea Football Club we pass on our condolances to Ricks wife Maxine and his sons Sam and Mitchell.

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YOUNG Dorothy (Dot) 6.2.31-15.3.13

The club is saddened to receive news of the passing of Life Member Dot Young.

Dot made her initial connection with The Club in the mid-sixties when her son Neil started playing. Buddying up with Gene Williams (Tommy’s wife), she set about restructuring the canteen in a big way. Home- made food was the flavour of the day as Dot started at 4.00 each match day with the task of preparing soup, scones, coleslaw, muffins and sandwiches, not to mention ingredients for the hamburgers.

Dot joined the committee in her early years at The Club and remained involved in that capacity until her retirement in 2000.

Dot's last official engagement with The Club was the unfurling of The Centenary Flag in 2011.

A stalwart for many years Dot Young will be sadly missed.

Click here to view an article on Dot which appears in the Book Chelsea Grit.

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BIAGI David 15th November 2012

The Chelsea Football Club is saddened to receive news of the passing of David Biagi.

David joined The Club in season 2009 and was diagnosed with cancer shortly after. After initially appearing to beat the disease, it reoccurred recently and he passed away on Thursday 15^th November.

We offer our sincere condolences to David's wife Cara, his family and friends.

David Biagi played 35 senior games with The Club.

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PHILLIPS Kevin 4th October 2012

Vale Kevin Phillips
The passing of Kevin Phillips closes a historic and unique chapter within the Chelsea Football Club.
Kevin's involvement in our great club spans no less that 65 years, beginning with the U/18's where he captained the side in the late 1940's then over the next decade to become arguably our best ever Ruckman as his selection in the CFC 'Team of the Century' would attest.

His ruck play and leadership in our 1955 Senior XV111 Premiership was instrumental in winning that premiership, playing along side brilliant footballers such as Allan Jones, Lew Owens. Tom Gray, Bill Armstrong and the Baker brothers to mention just a few Big Kev led the team that day to that famous victory against Dandenong.The winner of 3 of our clubs Senior Best and Fairest awards and a Federal League Best & Fairest cemented Kevin as a champion player of his era. A short stint at EdithvaleAspendaleFC at the end of his career only served to enhance his passion to return to Chelsea FC where upon he became Chairman of Selectors to Kevin 'Doc' White's golden era of the 60's "The Camelot Years". Working during those years with such eminent men as Claude Dowse , Frank Hepworth , Ken Knight and Frank Parsons big Kev thrived on the clubs success of which he helped create. In later years of the 70's, 80's 90's 2000's he worked with and supported the likes of Tom Williams, Mick Wiesendfeld and myself. Highly respected within the club and throughout the peninsula league for his common sense , his passion for our club and his professional dignified manner big Kev's popularity with his peers was his a hallmark. Still an ever presence at our annual CFC Presentation Nights the "Kevin Phillips Most Valuable Player' award will ensure that Kevin Phillips will continue to have a bigger than life involvement within the Chelsea FC for many more years to come.

Sincere condolences to Gwen and the Phillips family.

RIP big Kev.

Ray Stuart
CFC Life Member
MPNFL Life Member
VCFL Services Rendered Award.

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Vale Leigh Smith 30th June 2011

The Club is sad to hear of the passing of Leigh Smith. Leigh who played 100 Senior Games between 1969 and 1977, passed away suddenly yesterday.

The Chelsea Football Club offers it's sincere condolences to Leigh's family and friends.

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Vale Brenda Gifford 26th March 2011

The Club is sad to hear of the passing of Brenda Gifford. Brenda, the partner of The late Peter Coghlan, passed away last Saturday evening. Brenda had been ill since just prior to Christmas.

The Coghlan and Gifford families had strong links with the Club through the 60's and our condolences go out to the families.

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JOHNSTONE Ivan "Bonnie" 10th July 1982

Vale Ivan "Bonnie" Johnstone.

It is with great regret that we record the passing of Bonnie Johnstone undoubtedly one of Chelsea's greatest players. His career started in 1931 aged 15 as a junior player winning a trophy that year. 1932 saw Bonnie play in the Industrial League with The Abbotsford Brewery where he travelled to the city Saturday mornings, home for lunch and then played for Chelsea in the afternoon. He won a Best & Fairest for The Brewery and was a member of The Chelsea 1932 Premiership side. He was a 5 time Best & Fairest winner in 1933, 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1940 and also won The Federal District League Best and Fairest in each of those seasons.

Bonnie was Senior Coach in 1937, 1938, 1946, 1947 and 1953 and was awarded Life Membership in 1947. He coached Juniors and won flags in 1955 and 1957. He coached the combined Federal District League sides against The South Australia in Adelaide and won 12-8-80 to SA 7-13-55. He also coached The Federal District League side against The Diamond Valley League and was again victorious. A tribute to Bonnie was published in the Football News. "Bonnie" Johnstone coach of successful Federal District League Team for 2nd successive year.

Bonnie was reared on football since he could walk. He came up through The Chelsea Juniors and made a name for himself as one of the most outstanding centremen ever to play in The Federal District League. His playing career extended over 25 years, a feat which few will surpass. He has coached The Chelsea Juniors for many years and won the premiership last year.

For the services he has rendered he was made a Life Member of The Federal District Football League. He possessed an astute football brain and his ability to mix freely with players and officials alike, made him a worthy choice. Bonnie for many years was a delegate to The Federal District Football League.

Bonnie passed away on Saturday 10th July 1982 and on that day he was at the Chelsea ground and told officials he was looking forward to the old players reunion which was to be held some 7 weeks away.

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Pos	Name	Team
2	D Bodley Frankston YCW	52
3	J Calder Mornington	48
4	L Damon Langwarrin	47
5	M Kremmer Edi-Asp	46

POS	TEAM	PTS
1	Frankston YCW	66
2	Mt Eliza	56
3	Pines	44
4	Bonbeach	44
5	Edi-Asp	34
6	Seaford	34
7	Mornington	32
8	Karingal	22
9	Langwarrin	20
10	Chelsea	8

POS	TEAM	PTS
1	Mt Eliza	68
2	Frankston YCW	56
3	Bonbeach	52
4	Langwarrin	48
5	Seaford	40
6	Karingal	32
7	Chelsea	32
8	Mornington	12
9	Edi-Asp	12
10	Pines	8

POS	TEAM	PTS
1	Mt Eliza	60
2	Langwarrin	56
3	Frankston YCW	52
4	Karingal	48
5	Seaford	44
6	Edi-Asp	36
7	Mornington	32
8	Bonbeach	20
9	Chelsea	12
10	Pines	0

Obituarys/Tributes

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