ALAN “Funnel” Johnson is approaching his 90th birthday but South Warrnambool supporters don’t see him as being over the hill — he’s just on it.
The dedicated South Warrnambool follower has been named this year’s number one ticket holder for his beloved Roosters, who he watches from the same spot every home game.
Johnson can’t remember a time when he didn’t park his car on the hill near the goal square at the clubrooms-end of Friendly Societies’ Park.
For about 60 years, it is where he has cast a watchful eye over the club’s football sides and taken statistics.
“It’s a very good spot,” he said.
“Every week I go to a game.
“I’m always up here at a home game and if it’s away, (daughter) Leanne takes me.”
Johnson was shocked when South president Gary Walsh delivered the news that he would be the Roosters’ number one ticket holder in 2012.
“It’s a hell of a privilege to be the number one ticket holder,” he said.
“It was a thrill and very unexpected.
“When you look at the people who have held the position at South, it’s a real honour.”
The 89-year-old started his association with South in 1940, when he played two games in juniors before serving in the army for 4½ years.
He eventually returned to the club in 1951, the year he lost a leg in a workplace accident, which saw him hang up the boots.
“I was playing footy at the time but I wouldn’t say I was any champion,” he said.
“I did enjoy playing the game but I had to put a stop to it.”
He continued his involvement with the club by holding various positions with the South Warrnambool general and selection committees.
In 1969 he was the head selector, with the Roosters — coached by Brownlow medallist Alistair Lord — clinching the premiership with a one-point victory over Mortlake.
It is one of Johnson’s greatest South moments, along with the club’s hard-fought 1991 grand final victory in atrocious conditions, when only three goals were kicked for the match.
The stalwart also rated the Roosters’ dominant 2011 season as a highlight as he proudly watched grandson and South co-captain Danny Finn hold the premiership cup aloft.
“It was a tremendous year for the boys and I felt they couldn’t have been beaten (in the grand final), they were playing that well,” he said. “Week after week they produced.”
More than half a dozen of last year’s premiership players will move on to different leagues this season, but Johnson was optimistic about the club’s prospects.
“I’ll keep the fingers crossed that the young ones and the ones from the reserves can take the next step,” he said.
Johnson attributes his longevity at South to plenty of his friends and family, including his five brothers, being involved in the club over the years.
Friends and family will help him celebrate his 90th birthday in May at another place he is treasured, the Cally.
Publican Damian Gleeson made special caps after learning Johnson would be South’s number one ticket holder this year.
Email a friend