AFLUA life member, John Leighton passed away on grand final day, aged 82. His funeral was held in Cobden last week. John’s son, Peter said today, his father loved his umpiring and said that he had travelled extensively with John during his umpiring days on the VFL panel all over country Victoria. “Dad umpired with Alan Nash and Harry Beitzel, he loved it.” John was a regular at our annual dinners over many years.
John began his umpiring career in 1943 as a boundary umpire aged 11 for Ormond ‘A’ Grade.
He was a member of the VAFA between 1943-48 (Boundary), 1949-51(Field). He was the Assistant Secretary of the VAFAUA between 1948-51
John made the VFL senior list umpiring between 1952 and 1965. He umpired 10 senior VFL matches and 72 Reserve Grade games. John umpired 208 VCFL and Tasmanian matches including 12 VCFL grand finals
John was made a VFLUA life member in 1962.