John McNiff was an active member of the X men and the AFLUA until his untimely passing after a brief illness on Sunday December 29.

John began umpiring in 1951 with the VFL Second Eighteens. He umpired two VFL second eighteen grand finals in 1954-55. John made his VFL senior debut in round two of 1956 and was the 307th boundary umpire to officiate in VFL senior football. John’s senior career of 152 games included 8 finals and the 1964 VFL Grand Final.

John was an active member of the association being on the executive between 1963 and 1965. He was made a life member in 1966.

He returned to the South East Suburban Churches Football League for two seasons after retiring from the VFL.

John’s funeral will be held on Tuesday January 7 at 10am at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 9 Centre Dandenong road, Cheltenham. His burial will follow at Cheltenham Memorial Park with refreshments being served at the Keysborough Golf Club afterwards.

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