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Peter Mies, an iconic figure in the history of Tasmanian football, passed away in Launceston last week aged 88.
He was a legendary figure at Launceston Juventus, now known as Launceston City, and leaves an impressive legacy in many ways after 64 years of involvement with the club.
During that time, he was a player, coach, president and patron, and was made a Life Member.
He played for Launceston Juventus until he was 44 years of age.
He was the paterfamilias of the Mies family.
They are the only Tasmanian family in which three generations - father (Peter), son (Roger) and grandson (Noah) - have represented Tasmania in football at senior level.
Peter was born in Neerbeek, in the province of Maastricht in the Netherlands.
After service in the Dutch Marines, Peter and his wife, Christina, arrived in Tasmania in 1960.
He joined Launceston Juventus shortly after arriving and soon made a name for himself in the senior side as a centre-half, where he impressed with his skill and hard, physical style of play.
I can remember as a young teenager watching Peter in the Launceston Juventus side of the 1960s playing in some epic cup clashes against Olympia at South Hobart.
Peter played for Tasmania and was often the only player from the northern half of the State in the team.
He played in some memorable games for Tasmania, such as against Victoria in Melbourne (Tasmania lost 2-1), against South Australia at York Park (1-1 draw) and against New Zealand in Wellington (Tasmania lost 4-1)
Peter was devoted to Launceston Juventus and was a major factor in the club acquiring their current ground at Prospect. He put the family house up as collateral when the club purchased the site of the ground.
He was also responsible for the club signing some impressive imports from Britain, including the ex-Leeds United player, Peter Savill, who is still active as a coach in Tasmania.
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I last spoke to Peter a few weeks ago at Lightwood Park, when he came down from Launceston to watch his grandson, Noah, play for Kingborough Lions United.
I asked him about some of his former team-mates from Launceston Juventus in the 1960s and he had some marvellous stories to tell.
Peter was so proud of his son, Roger, who was one of the top strikers in his playing career and who played probably 600 or so games for Launceston Juventus.
He also rated grandson, Noah, as an excellent player. He joined Kingborough Lions United after moving to Hobart from Launceston.
Peter was a regular attendee at Launceston Juventus games and had a special seat at the club rooms at Prospect.
He missed their most recent game at Prospect a couple of weekends ago due to a short illness which ultimately claimed his life.
Peter’s wife predeceased him and he is survived by son Roger and his partner Janelle, his daughter Olga and her husband Lee, and grandchildren Sam, Noah, Zac, Ryan and Olivia.
The funeral will be at the Franklin Grove Centre, 502 Hobart Road, Youngtown, on Thursday, 23 May 2024, at 2.30pm.
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Photo: Peter Mies (left) heads the ball in a game against Olympia at South Hobart.
7 comments:
A really lovely man that my dad always spoke very highly of
A true gentleman, Vale Peter.
PS does anyone know what happened to Billy van der Pols? He's in one of the Juventus team photos above.
Alan Whitemore?
Thank you Walter for a wonderful reflection on Dads career. You are also an icon of our game here in Tas. We are so fortunate to have someone like you who has such good knowledge of our game that spans 3 generations.
Correct Brian
That's a fantastic set of photographs, Walt.
I find it sad though, looking at the last snap of the Tasmania squad flying out to represent the state. Looking so professional. Why doesn't this still occur? - how the game has declined in recent years...
Anon May 23 2.54PM.
That is a photo of the Launceston Juve side leaving not a State team.
You may have misread the article.
You do have a point however in respect to your comments regarding looking professional.
The game has declined in many aspects as you say, not just dress.
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