Vin Hindson spent all his umpiring career in the country and the western suburbs.
As a member of the vaunted Yarraville training track where he trained with, among others, his good mate Stan Jensen, he did not make the leap to Reserve Grade appointment but did umpire in 42 VCFL and 1 Tasmanian leagues in a career that spanned 12 seasons.
Vincent Clive Hindson was born in Charlton, Victoria on 4 July 1922 and grew up in Lake Marmel and Eaglehawk before moving to Melbourne and settling in the western suburbs where he played football with Newport CYMS, including a Footscray District FL premiership in 1946, and cricket for Newport ANA as an effective wicket taking bowler.
He took up umpiring with the VFL Second Eighteens in 1950 and was promoted to the VFL senior list for the 1952 season. His first match was at Leongatha and other milestones were his first final at Port Fairy in 1953 and first grand final at Cohuna in 1955 which gives a flavour of the numbers of miles covered by VFL umpires of the day. Vin also umpired in NSW’s South West District FL, Tasmania’s North West Football Union and Keith in South Australia.
In all Vin’s VFL career covered 12 seasons, 197 VCFL and 1 Tasmanian match. He became a VFLUA life member in 1962.
Following his retirement at the conclusion of the 1963 season he returned to local football and umpired two seasons with the Footscray District FL before hanging up the whistle for good.
Vin Hindson passed away on 8 February 2016.