To follow your infamous father in an umpiring career would be hard as my next ‘Where are they now’ Ian William ‘Clayts’ Clayton knows all too well. Ian’s father Harry is well known throughout the umpiring fraternity.
Harry began field umpiring in 1926 in local leagues, joined VFA 2nds XVIII in 1932, before progressing to the VFA 1sts in 1935. Shifting to the VFL, Harry joined the VFLUA in 1938, eventually serving as its president in 1949. During the 2nd World War Harry enlisted and served the RAAF for 5 years. His career as a whistle-blower included four senior VFL games, 17 VFL reserve games, one reserve grade final, 201 VCFL games, including 14 VCFL Grand Finals, 42 VCFL finals and 3 Inter-league games.
At the end of 1952 Harry swapped his whistle for flags and went straight into umpiring VFL games in the goals. His final game was the 1955 VFL Grand Final, fiercely contested between Melbourne and Collingwood. He totalled 46 games in the goals. Later Harry Clayton became the umpires’ advisor, providing guidance and support to VFL Umpires for eleven years. He also served as match-day observer, and on the umpires’ board for many years.
When the AFLUA Hall of Fame was established in May 2008, Harry was one of 99 inaugural inductees admitted. His peers in the 5th Hall of Fame ballot, theoretically held in 1965, include the likes of Allan Nash, Norm Grant BEM, and Harry Beitzel.
Harry was also one of the founders of the UPD and served as the official starter for the event. Harry passed away February 1993.
Born on the 14th of July 1952 to Harry & Lydia Clayton in East Melbourne the family with his brother Colin lived in Thornbury. In 1958 Ian attended the Bell State Primary School, graduating in 1964 to Preston Technical College. It was during this time attending the college that Ian joined the Preston Swimmers F.C. playing football with David Dickson & Gary “Flea” Wilson who both went on to successful VFL football careers.
During the summer months Ian played Basketball, Cricket with Dennis in the Jika and Tennis with the Reservoir Tennis Club, and at that stage an occasional game of golf. 1969 saw Ian apply for a position with C.I.G. – now BOC Gas – where he would spend 26 years as a finance manager.
As you will read, throughout Ian’s story he has followed his father’s career to a tee. It was through his father that Ian became interested in umpiring, beginning age 17 umpiring in the Melbourne Boys League for one year. In 1973 Ian transferred to the Northern District F.L. before joining the reserve grade.
Whilst attending a VFL Finals match in 1970 Ian took a fancy to a young lady he met at the football named Joan and a relationship blossomed. By 1974 the young couple had married moved into a new home in Bundoora. Today they have three children, Shane, Mark & Dean with seven grandchildren. His three boys as juniors all played with the Northern Knights in the elite Under 18 competition with his eldest son Shane being drafted to Fitzroy (then Brisbane), before joining North Melbourne in 1999 where he played in their premiership.
After one year with the Melbourne Boys League and a couple at the Northern League, at the age of 21 Ian applied to the Victorian Reserve Grade Umpire Association was accepted. After three years on that list he earned promotion to the VFL senior list.
It was at training at Royal Park where he met his great mate Brian ‘Bomber’ Bulluss. his first appointment was in the Benalla-Tungamah FL, Katandra 10.17 defeated Violet Town 10.11. It wasn’t long before the word had circulated a young bloke named Clayton runs like a greyhound and umpires with authority.
Promoted onto the Olympic Park track saw Ian umpiring VFL Reserves his first game Melbourne Res. 13.19 defeated St. Kilda Res. 10.18 at the MCG. After 15 VFL Reserve games in 1980 received the nod to officiate at the top level. His first senior game was Round 21 Essendon 18.14 d. Melbourne 14.17 at the MCG. Over the next nine years Ian officiated in 106 VFL games, including 4 finals and Two Night Grand Finals, 1987 & 88. He officiated at 47 Reserve grade games, 136 VCFL including 14 VCFL Grand Finals and 17 VCFL Finals, plus 6 Inter-league games.
Ian’s only problem was persistent achilles’ tendon pain which troubled his running. By the 1980 season it was clear that he would have to regularly miss games due to tendon soreness. Surgery to fix the problem would mean missing the entire following season. By the end of the ’80 season enough was enough, despite the long post-operative recovery, Ian decided to go under the knife to have his achilles fixed, subsequently missing the 1981 season. A long way back but it was the right decision.
One of Ian’s most embarrassing moments came in 1980 when he had to take two sick days off work after celebrating the Sunraysia Grand Final, which was John Moss’s last game.
1988 was an eventful year for Ian as he was involved in two famous on-field incidents. Ian was umpiring the round 2 clash between Melbourne and Footscray when Rod Grinter hit Terry Wallace with a sickening blow to the head. Wallace was rendered unconscious, had his jaw broken and his front teeth were loosened. However, both field umpires failed to report Grinter. Ian, who had control of the game when Wallace was hit, awarded him a free kick, however was later suspended for two games for failing to report Grinter.
Later, in Round 18 Ian had to deal with an infuriated Dermott Brereton, who cost after teammate Jason Dunstall a goal after being penalised for tussling with Essendon backman Billy Duckworth. A shouting match between Ian and Brereton ensued, before Brereton famously charged straight through the Essendon three-quarter-time huddle.
A highlight of his career was officiating at the first VFL game to be played at The Oval England 1987 North Melbourne 15.7 defeated Carlton 11.12, the game was called The Battle of Britain, it was Bruce Doull’s last game and to top it off this was Ian’s first trip outside Australia. The next was officiating in 1987 the State of Origin game in West Australia where Victoria 16.20 defeated West Australia 13.14. West Australian Umpire Grant Vernon was Ian’s partner that day.
Always an Association man, Ian was elected to the Executive Committee of the VFLUA ‘85/86, and received his life membership in 1986. Ian served as Vice President in 1987 and then President of our Association in 1988. It was mentioned if Ian runs the association they way he umpires then our meetings would be in good hands.
During his stay on the senior list it was common knowledge that Ian loves a punt and many times he asked other umpires to join him in multiple quaddies, saying it’ll only cost you $10 give it a go. A fanatical Carlton supporter if you watch the Carlton grand finals on Youtube, after one of their victories you will see Ian on the MCG following the Victorious Carlton team on their victory lap.
At the end of 1989 Ian umpired his last VFL game, the 2nd Semi Final Hawthorn 16.16 d. Essendon 11.10.
I asked Ian, who attends most Carlton games, what he thought of today’s game. He said it’s made for athletes, the skills are fantastic, too congested for his liking but still loved the game and only hopes to be around for another Carlton premiership.
1996 saw Ian resign from CIG. He took on the role of Recruitment Consultant with the Bevan Turner group until 2001, when Ian decided to open his own business with a friend. Clayton & Shuttleworth today offers a level of recruitment industry experience and team stability that few can match. Their slogan is “When Experience Counts”. At 73 years of age Ian is still working and running a very successful business with his eldest son Shane. He regularly plays golf being a Member at the National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsular, playing off a 9.2 handicap. When not playing golf, he enjoys spending time in the garden and walking on his treadmill.
In 2006 Ian came out of retirement and helped the Goulburn Valley F.L. Umpires (Greg Sidebottom Advisor) for 2 years running with a junior umpire in the seconds before watching his two eldest sons play for Euroa.
Ian & wife Joan have toured England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland in 2015 then at the same time a trip on a boat from Amsterdam to Budapest. The pair recently cruised from Sydney to New Zealand, as well as the Polynesian Islands and Hawaii in 2025.
Ian with his busy schedule still finds time to attend the Caulfield Luncheon so come and join us and enjoy the festivities.
Graeme ‘Wizzer’ Fellows