- Banned
- #1
Malcolm Harcourt Foster was born in 1950 and grew up in
Murrumbeena and East Bentleigh. He played football for
much of his childhood but an injury led him to take up
boundary umpiring with the South-East Suburban Football
League in 1968
He moved to field umpiring and in 1972 joined the VFL
Reserve Grade. Three years later he achieved promotion
to the senior VFL list and spent the next seven years
and more than one hundred matches developing into an
excellent country umpire. A tall and graceful runner,
Mal's height was considered by the coaching staff of
the time to be an impediment to his elevation to
senior VFL football.
As a result of this evaluation, in 1982, he left field
umpiring and returned to the Reserve Grade. Here he
honed his skills as a goal umpire and in 1983 he was
back on the senior VFL list. He debuted in the VFL in
July 1983 on the MCG The same stature and smooth
movement that stalled his career in the field was
perfect for his time in the goals.
Over six seasons Mal compiled a total of 36 senior VFL
matches which included 2 finals. In his final year he
was appointed to the 1988 Preliminary Final - a
classic - and was also chosen to represent Australia
and the VFL in the demonstration matches played in
London and Toronto.
Mal retired after the 1988 season to spend as much time
as possible with his growing family. He continued his
involvement in football in a number of capacities from
field umpire observing for the VFL Cadet Squad, umpires
coach at the Southern Umpires and tribunal member of
the Southern Football League. He passed away on 13
August 2003, aged 53, the result of a short bout with
inoperable cancer diagnosed earlier in the year. He
became a Life Member of the VFLUA in 1986.
Renowned for his infectious humour, constatnt smile and
personal integrity (as well as his ability to wear a
cardigan with dignity), Mal Foster was an excellent
umpire, loyal friend and fine family man. Many people
are richer for having known him and poorer for his
untimely passing.
Vale Mal Foster.
from the aflua's David Flegg (Goal Umpire)
Condolences to the Foster family and to the Southern Umpires Association
Murrumbeena and East Bentleigh. He played football for
much of his childhood but an injury led him to take up
boundary umpiring with the South-East Suburban Football
League in 1968
He moved to field umpiring and in 1972 joined the VFL
Reserve Grade. Three years later he achieved promotion
to the senior VFL list and spent the next seven years
and more than one hundred matches developing into an
excellent country umpire. A tall and graceful runner,
Mal's height was considered by the coaching staff of
the time to be an impediment to his elevation to
senior VFL football.
As a result of this evaluation, in 1982, he left field
umpiring and returned to the Reserve Grade. Here he
honed his skills as a goal umpire and in 1983 he was
back on the senior VFL list. He debuted in the VFL in
July 1983 on the MCG The same stature and smooth
movement that stalled his career in the field was
perfect for his time in the goals.
Over six seasons Mal compiled a total of 36 senior VFL
matches which included 2 finals. In his final year he
was appointed to the 1988 Preliminary Final - a
classic - and was also chosen to represent Australia
and the VFL in the demonstration matches played in
London and Toronto.
Mal retired after the 1988 season to spend as much time
as possible with his growing family. He continued his
involvement in football in a number of capacities from
field umpire observing for the VFL Cadet Squad, umpires
coach at the Southern Umpires and tribunal member of
the Southern Football League. He passed away on 13
August 2003, aged 53, the result of a short bout with
inoperable cancer diagnosed earlier in the year. He
became a Life Member of the VFLUA in 1986.
Renowned for his infectious humour, constatnt smile and
personal integrity (as well as his ability to wear a
cardigan with dignity), Mal Foster was an excellent
umpire, loyal friend and fine family man. Many people
are richer for having known him and poorer for his
untimely passing.
Vale Mal Foster.
from the aflua's David Flegg (Goal Umpire)
Condolences to the Foster family and to the Southern Umpires Association
