catattack
Premiership Player
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Final siren for footy stalwart
Kate Johnstone
Geelong Advertiser
11:17:31 AM Sun 20 October, 2002
Geelong Football Club stalwart George Clarke has died after a long-running battle with cancer.
The 77-year-old was remembered yesterday as a devoted trainer and great friend.
Cats president Frank Costa paid tribute to the man he said would be sadly missed around the club.
“He was always a positive influence around the club and a great friend to all the players,” Costa said.
“He really did epitomise what the football club and the community meant to each other.”
Former ruck champion John “Sam” Newman said he had many fond memories of his friend, who played a key role in helping his injury-wracked ankles through 300 games.
He said Clarke was the only person he allowed to strap his ankles before a game.
“George revolutionised ankle strapping, even if I played interstate, he would strap my ankle before I left,” Newman said.
“He was devoted to the club and put in a lifetime of great service. He will be greatly missed.”
Clarke was invited to become a trainer at Geelong in 1964 and remained for 34 years, filling the key post of head trainer from 1979 until his retirement in 1998.
The Cats life member was presented with the AFL’s Jack Titus Memorial Award for outstanding services to Australian football in 1998, adding to the Reg Hickey Memorial Award presented by Geelong in 1988.
He was an accomplished singer and joined the Geelong Gilbert and Sullivan Company in 1965.
He was quoted as saying the highlight of his singing career was performing the national anthem at the 500th Geelong game at Kardinia Park in front of 22,000 people in 1997.
Kate Johnstone
Geelong Advertiser
11:17:31 AM Sun 20 October, 2002
Geelong Football Club stalwart George Clarke has died after a long-running battle with cancer.
The 77-year-old was remembered yesterday as a devoted trainer and great friend.
Cats president Frank Costa paid tribute to the man he said would be sadly missed around the club.
“He was always a positive influence around the club and a great friend to all the players,” Costa said.
“He really did epitomise what the football club and the community meant to each other.”
Former ruck champion John “Sam” Newman said he had many fond memories of his friend, who played a key role in helping his injury-wracked ankles through 300 games.
He said Clarke was the only person he allowed to strap his ankles before a game.
“George revolutionised ankle strapping, even if I played interstate, he would strap my ankle before I left,” Newman said.
“He was devoted to the club and put in a lifetime of great service. He will be greatly missed.”
Clarke was invited to become a trainer at Geelong in 1964 and remained for 34 years, filling the key post of head trainer from 1979 until his retirement in 1998.
The Cats life member was presented with the AFL’s Jack Titus Memorial Award for outstanding services to Australian football in 1998, adding to the Reg Hickey Memorial Award presented by Geelong in 1988.
He was an accomplished singer and joined the Geelong Gilbert and Sullivan Company in 1965.
He was quoted as saying the highlight of his singing career was performing the national anthem at the 500th Geelong game at Kardinia Park in front of 22,000 people in 1997.
