Former VFL Umpire, Joe Bell passed away on November 15 2019 aged 85. While Joe wasn’t a VFLUA life member, he was a life member of the VFL Reserve Grade Umpires Association and the Ballarat Football Umpires Association.
Joe was a listed VFL umpire between 1973 and 1976 umpiring 73 VFL matches including 4 finals and the 1974 VFL grand final. Upon leaving the VFL in 1977 Joe worked with umpires in both the Goulburn Valley FL and the Ballarat FL. He also umpired cricket in the Jika cricket association and the VCA.
We also note the sad passing of former National Director of Goal Umpiring (1990-92) Andy Craig. Andy passed away on 11 November in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia where he was travelling in the area where his father served during the Second World War.
Andy was aged 85.