As a 12-season country umpire Ian Pritchard had many memories but he noted his most memorable as the three finals he umpired in the Farrer League (all at Yerong Creek) and the two finals in the Mallee (Ouyen and Brim). In fact, the 1977 Southern Mallee League First Semi-final at Brim was his final match as a VFL umpire.
Ian Leslie George Pritchard was born on 18 March 1941 and grew up in East Brunswick where he played soccer and basketball.
He began umpiring with the VFL Reserve Grade in 1963 and was promoted to the senior list in 1966, one of a bumper crop of 24 new VFL umpires that season. Always an advocate for the importance of umpiring in football he believed it was the way in which umpires handled awkward situations which enabled games to flow. There were always awkward situations. A personality profile in the notorious Man-in-White alludes to a contentious relationship Ian had with St. Arnaud captain Maurie Wood.
No doubt such matters were discussed each week on the Royal Park Track where Ian was considered a valuable member and was a track president.
Ian became a life member of the VFLUA in 1976 and at the end of the following season completed his career with the VFL. His record was 212 VCFL matches including 13 finals.
After departing the VFL he was heavily involved in the Essendon District Football League. First as an umpire from 1978-1980 and then as Assistant Umpires’ Advisor 1980-1983.
Later in life he moved to the Yarrawonga area and was a regular member of the group of former umpires who enjoy retirement in the region. He was a regular attendee when the X-Umpires lunch went on the road to Mulwala.
Ian Pritchard passed away on 14 February 2024, aged 82, a valued member of the 1966 intake and he will be sorely missed.