LIAM PHILLIPS

FOR 58 years there was a piece of Willaston sporting history that had been kept private by its owner – but that’s no longer the case.

That owner is the legendary Alf Skuse, who played 140 games and won a premiership with South Adelaide in the 1960s, as well as represented South Australia on eight occasions.

However, Mr Skuse’s prized piece of football memorabilia was not one of these glittering, nationally recognised accolades – it was his team photo of his 1961 premiership side with the Willaston Football Club.

On Sunday, he unveiled the photo at one of Gawler’s longest-standing pubs, where it will sit proudly for years to come.

“(Alf) got in touch with Tony, the owner of the Kingsford hotel, and said there’s one photo missing off that wall, and it’s the 1961 premiership photo,” Willaston Football Club president Kieran Sankey said.

“He said he wanted to do an unveiling and get in touch with some of the players who are still here.

“There are few who have passed due to the age of the team, but we were able to get three players from the team.”

Those three players were Alf, Gary Siostrom, and ruckman Harry Brown.

“We were really humbled by it, because Alf has all these accolades he’s gotten through his career, but it was this photo that he felt so strongly about,” Mr Sankey said.

“From the conversations that I’ve had with Alf over the past few months, it’s because the people in it meant so much to him.

“He was really happy to be there and to be able to unveil the photo …it was a special moment.”

It’s clear from the 50-strong turnout that Alf is regarded as highly as anyone in Willaston sporting history, with 1961 premiership players’ kids being there for the occasion, as well as current Willaston footballing families.

Everyone wanted to be there for Alf and his big day.

“He’s arguably the most decorated footballer we’ve ever had,” Mr Sankey said.

“He’s the most iconic footballer we’ve got at the football club, he’s come to functions of ours in previous years and spoken to our membership group, and the respect he has, the passion he has, and the love he has for the football club, it’s enormous.
“His humbleness, his respect… he’s just a lovely person.”