Thursday, March 28, 2024

Two obituaries

Photo:  Malcolm Farmer (extreme left of front row) in the Caledonians side (circa 1975). 

Vale Malcolm Douglas Farmer (20/05/1955  -  18/03/2024)

Malcolm Farmer, the former Olympia and Caledonians footballer, has passed away in Hobart at the age of 68.

Born in Glasgow, he arrived in Australia as a youngster in 1965.

After a brief spell playing with Olympia as a right-side midfielder, he transferred in 1975 to the Scottish-backed Caledonians, who were coached at the time by the former Glenorchy Croatia star, Frank Letec.

Farmer was a slim, lean player but had loads of skill, stamina and pace.

Some who saw him play will always remember the magnificent goal he scored at Grove Road for Caledonians against his former club, Olympia.  He hit the ball like a rocket from all of 40 metres and it hit the back of the net, giving the keeper absolutely no chance.

Farmer wore glasses and he was one of the first players in Tasmania to wear the new nylon reinforced spectacles specially made for footballers.

He played for Calies until 1979 before retiring.  He was a most humble man and a very good footballer.

He worked in the Tasmanian Public Service all his working ,life and was Clerk of Lists for the Tasmanian Supreme Court when he retired after more than 40 years of service in October last year.

He was married to Kristine and they had five children.

*****

Photo:  Martin Jones (second from left, back row) in the Midway Marvels indoor team.  Terry Banagan is second from the left in the front row. 

Vale Martin Stewart ‘Moose’ Jones (24/5/1956  -  22/3/2024)

The former George Town United goalkeeper of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Martin ‘Moose’ Jones has passed away in Northern Tasmania aged 67.

Jones hailed from London in the UK and was a life-time fan of West Ham United.

He played his football in Victoria to begin with and was a team-mate of former Caledonians star midfielder, Terry Banagan, at Sunshine City.

Both came to Tasmania, with Jones joining George Town and Banagan signing for Caledonians.

He represented Victoria in the Australian indoor championships in Adelaide.

Jones was an accomplished indoor player and was a member of the Midway Marvels, the Sunshine team that finished second in the Victorian Indoor Soccer Championships one season.

He played cricket for Deer Park and became their treasurer.

Jones also played football for Heidelberg and Keilor Old Boys in the late 80s and early 90s.

Jones eventually became a teacher and taught in many outback and Indigenous communities in northern Australia.

He was the principal of a school in the Broome area before retiring and returning to Tasmania.

1 comment:

Ray Carroll said...

Thanks Walter for your kind words about Mal.
I remember him well when he first joined Calies, down at Margate. You are correct - he was a fine player & a top bloke as well. I went to his funeral on Monday & it was no surprise to me that the place was packed. He had many friends & also his family there to bid him farewell.
My thoughts go out to his family & friends, he will be sadly missed.