Ian Huntington
While he was better known for his prowess at and involvement in cricket, Ian Huntington was a member of the VFL Umpires’ Association for six seasons and in that time reached the highest level of football by umpiring six VFL matches.
In August 2013 ‘Hunto’ became a paraplegic when he sustained grave spinal injuries after being struck by a falling cypress tree while playing golf. Following his recovery he resumed the full commitment that he had to sport with an undiminished passion.
As a first-class cricketer who represented Victoria in 46 matches between 1953 and 1964, the left-hand batter made 2,233 runs, including nine fifties and five centuries. He was vice-captain Victoria for WA tour 1958-59. It was at this same time that he umpired in the VFL.
Ian Ross Huntington was born in Melbourne on 18 October 1931. Growing up in Coburg he played football for the local high school. As young man he was heavily involved in sport as a player in the Melbourne Cricket Club Baseball Section between 1948 and 1953, the Tennis Section between 1969 and 1983 and the Hockey Section in 1961, 1964 and 1966.
He began umpiring in 1954 with the VFL Second Eighteens and was promoted to the VFL list in 1956. In a remarkable rise he umpired his first VFL Second Eighteens match in July that year and followed with almost every week at that grade in 1957.
On 17 August 1957 Ian earned Heritage No. 227 when he debuted in the VFL at Kardinia Park with Geelong going down to St. Kilda by fifteen points. It was a hectic start with Huntington, both boundary umpires a goal umpire and a police officer breaking up a minute-long, dozen player melee in the second quarter. In the final round he was at Arden Street and completed the season with a series of VCFL finals.
In Round 9 1958 Ian was appointed to South Melbourne versus Melbourne at Lake Oval. During the last quarter the Swans crowd were incensed by a correct decision. Melbourne’s Ian Ridley was felled after goaling resulting in a second shot at goal without a centre bounce when. Bottles rained down at a boundary throw-in then the match ball, the spare ball and a practice ball borrowed from Melbourne all disappeared into the crowd and were not returned resulting in delays. After the match seven uniformed police and four detectives were required to protect the umpires’ rooms as the mob hooted and tried to break in.
Ian’s final VFL premiership match was back at Kardinia Park in Round 10 1958 and again he completed the season with VCFL finals.
While he did not return to senior football before retiring, he was successful at VCFL level including three grand finals in three weeks in 1959: Hume, Metropolitan and Kowree-Naracoorte Football Leagues.
Huntington retired at the close of 1960 having umpired 6 VFL, 1 VFL Night series 27 Second Eighteen, 67 VCFL, 2 Tasmanian and 2 Metropolitan matches.
Over the next six decades he remained heavily involved in sporting endeavours, particularly cricket. This service was recognised when, in 1991, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to junior cricket administration.
Following the tragic accident that paralysed him Ian remained positive and active and had been volunteering at the MCC library for several years.
An outstanding athlete and elite level umpire Ian Huntington passed away on 8 August 2024 and will be sadly missed.
Acknowledgment: Melbourne Cricket Club involvement provided by MCC.
Len Williams
It is one of the great strengths of the umpiring experience that it develops skills or extends already existing talent in a wide range of areas: people management, decision-making and confidence to name but a few. Len Williams learned much through his umpiring career that he was able to put into practice both during and following his time with the Victorian Football League, experience for which he was always grateful.
He recalled, “I am certain that the involuntary training, that I experienced on the field, where you stand alone and implement instant make or break decisions, was of immense benefit to me in my subsequent years as a general Manager in the transport industry, and ultimately in share broking. Without doubt my VCFL umpiring, taught me to back my judgement and act courageously without fear or favour, and these characteristics stood me in good stead throughout my professional life.
Born Leonard Stuart Williams in Richmond on 25 July 1937, Len came to umpiring early. He was 19 years old when he took up the boundary with the VFL Second Eighteens competition in 1955. With university as a priority, he left umpiring after 1956. After completing tertiary studies, and at the encouragement of colleague and umpire, Ian Wallace, Len returned to now VFL Reserve Grade for seasons 1962 to 1964 as a field umpire. In 1965 he joined the VFL senior list in that capacity and began the usual Victorian Country Football League circuit.
Promoted to Olympic Park Group for 4 months in 1966 his first VCFL final was the following season with the Southern Mallee first semi-final at Hopetoun. His deepest rip into the finals was the 1969 Tallangatta and District Preliminary final at Lavington.
That year was also significant as he was elected Assistant Secretary of the association, a post he would hold for four seasons supporting first Mark Turner and, later, Graeme Patterson. Turner noted in the 1969 annual report “Len’s attentiveness at meetings, presentation of minutes and innovative thinking were invaluable.” Similarly, Patterson noted that Len’s minute-taking resulted in ‘masterpieces’, high praise from one as diligent and precise as Patto. In this role there were also lessons to be used in business.
The result of this work was that after eight years on the list and four years on the Executive Committee Len was nominated for honorary life membership. The nomination was narrowly defeated.
Unfortunately, Len would not have the opportunity to complete the ten years of service for automatic life membership. At the end of 1972 he was forced to step down due to a lower-leg injury.
Over eight years on the senior list he compiled a record of 131 VCFL (7 finals) and 2 Metropolitan matches.
He returned to the VFL Reserve Grade for 1973-1974 as a goal umpire before retiring from umpiring to focus on business.
Len’s life is best described by his life-long friend, Ian Wallace, who recalls, “I have continually been astounded by Len’s ability and willingness to undertake support for a wide range of social problems while creating a successful professional business career for himself and his family.
“His honesty to call things as he saw them, his commitment to getting the job done successfully and his never-ending passion and enthusiasm for every task were his ‘trademarks.’ He bought all of these traits to umpiring and to the VFLUA Executive.”
Len Williams passed away peacefully at Frankston Hospital on 10 September 2024. In his own words “My umpiring years were a period of immense personal satisfaction and are a period that I look back on with immense pride.”
Vale Len, you will be sorely missed by those that have been fortunate enough to have crossed your path in life.
Stephen Martin
While Stephen Martin was only on the senior VFL list for a short time he devoted much of his life to umpiring
At his passing the Essendon District Football League noted, “Steve’s knowledge of umpiring and coaching benefited many up and coming umpires for over 40 years and the EDFL was incredibly privileged to also benefit.
Professional, friendly, and personable are words that have been used to describe Steve, with many umpires under his tutelage continuing on to umpire at the highest level.”
Steve was born on 10 December 1949 and had an extensive sporting life. He played football for East Reservoir FC (Preston and District JFA – Premiership U18 1968) and Powerhouse (VAFA – D Grade premiership 1971). There was also cricket for Lalor CC from 1966-78 and lawn bowls for Keilor BC between 1990-2006.
He began umpiring in 1974 with the VFL Reserve Grade and was promoted to the senior list in 1976. Between 1976 and 1978 he umpired 47 VCFL matches. His last matches were all finals in 1978 – Omeo and District preliminary final, Ovens and Murray qualifying final, Hampden second semi-final and Northern District preliminary final.
In his final year he a also contributed to the VFLUA as a member of the Social Committee.
After leaving the VFL he was involved at YCW FL 1980-86, Riddell FL 1987-89 and Essendon and District FL 1990-2006. He umpired in each competition but was also and advisor or coach in some capacity with each of them. He was honoured with life membership of the Essendon and District FL in 2003.
Stephen Martin passed away 16 July 2024 aged 74.
Leon Duncombe
One of the few remaining life members of the VFL Reserve Grade Umpires’ Association, Leon Duncombe, passed away 22 May 2024 aged 94.
Leon umpired with the Reserve Grade as both a field (1952-1955 and 1959-1963) and goal umpire (1964-1971). His service to the Reserve Grade included Social Committee (3 years) and Executive Committee (2 years). He was awarded life membership in 1971.
Born Leon Charles Duncombe on 29 May 1929 he began umpiring with the Essendon District Football League in 1951 and joined the Reserve Grade the following year.
Promoted to the senior list in 1956 he umpired 44 VCFL matches, the highlight being his only final, the 1957 South Gippsland Reserves Preliminary Final at Leongatha.
It was during his time as an umpire that he became involved with the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal. Leon worked for 65 years in the counting room and he was allso involved in other charity work as a volunteer transport driver for the Australian Red Cross.
Greg Lyons
Former AFL boundary umpire Greg Lyons passed away 25 April 2024.
Greg was an esteemed umpire, umpiring four AFL Sydney Grand Finals in 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2004.
He was promoted to the AFL Boundary Umpire List in 1999 (Heritage No. 479), umpiring 46 AFL matches between 1999 and 2004.
He was known for his hard work and dedication to his preparation and had an extensive running pedigree with Flinders Athletics club in Adelaide before moving to Sydney.
His involvement in umpiring continued after his AFL career where he was an AFL Match Day Coach, as well as coaching boundary umpires in the AFL Sydney competition.
Greg was actively involved in the Hampton Life Saving Club in Melbourne and assisted with the coaching of his son’s footy team at Brighton Beach Junior Football Club.