KEVIN Leske has long been regarded as a Port Fairy legend. Now it’s official in a broader context.
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Leske, a star player, long-time junior coach, committee member and more recently an umpire, was last night elevated to legend status in the Hampden Football Netball League Hall of Fame.
Leske, who was one of six inaugural identities inducted into the Hall of Fame last year, joins Wayne Reicha as a legend of the league.
“We weren’t going to come,” Leske said after accepting the latest honour last night.
“I thought we had done it all last year. At my age I thought I’ve had my day.”
Leske, who played 309 games with Port Fairy in an illustrious career, said he had never dreamt of such recognition.
“That’s all we thought about, playing footy and cricket,” he said, not of individual honours.
The 71-year-old was humbled by the acknowledgement.
Leske’s honour was announced at a league function last night where the second batch of Hall of Fame members was officially inducted.
All-time leading goalkicker Tony Russell, Camperdown key forward Brian Hinkley and long-time league administrator and player, the late Ray Russell, Koroit stalwart Brendan Dobson and Warrnambool identity Ian Wright were honoured last night for leaving lasting impressions on their clubs, the league and the game.
Hinkley, who finished his Hampden league career with Camperdown in 2007, travelled from his base in Werribee to accept his honour.
“It came out of the blue,” he said. “You never ever think something like this would happen to someone like me.”
Brendan Dobson used the occasion to thank the Koroit football club for helping shape his life.
He said the club had given him so many opportunities, not only on the field, but off it.
“I don’t know where I would be without the Koroit footy club,” he said.
Margaret Russell, wife of the late Ray Russell, said her husband’s life revolved around football but he would have shied away from the spotlight.
After 63 years involvement with the game either as a player, administrator or volunteer, he was a deserving inductee. “I was quite stunned,” she said when told of the honour.
“It was a great surprise. If Ray was here he would say ‘I don’t know why I am here’ (at the function).”
Ian Wright, 78, said he was surprised to be inducted into the Hall of Fame more than 20 years after his last formal role with the Blues.
After a long playing, coaching and administrative career, he said his philosophy had always been to “do the very best you can”.
He said when his playing days were over, the shift into coaching and administration was a natural progression.
Goalkicking ace Tony Russell was unable to attend last night’s function because of work commitments in Broome but the man who recruited him to South Warrnambool, Barry O’Toole, accepted the honour on his behalf.
The league last night inducted Koroit defender Chris McLaren, Saints A grade netball co-coach Kate Foster and South Warrnambool coach Leah Kermeen as life members, having reached the 250-game milestone during the season.
League president Hugh Worrall also received his life membership that had been foreshadowed at last year’s annual general meeting.