One of the most popular players the Ovens and Murray has seen, the 1994 Morris Medallist passed away on Tuesday following a heart attack.

Kingston has been remembered by his former teammates and opponents for his tough brand of football which was at odds with his jovial personality off the ground.

“He was a unique character and fantastic footballer,” former teammate and O and M coach Darrell Spencer said.

“‘Juice’ had one of those personalities where he was not only loved by the Corowa-Rutherglen community but throughout the league as well.

“There was never a dull moment when he was around. He was the life of the club.

“He was a larrikin who found himself in strife at times but it was always as a bit of fun with nobody getting hurt.”

Kingston played about 220 matches for Corowa-Rutherglen with the most famous being the record-breaking 2000 grand final win over North Albury at Lavington Oval.

The Roos won by 108 points in what was his final match of senior football.

Kingston also represented the Ovens and Murray and NSW Country and won three best and fairests at Corowa-Rutherglen.

He is the only Roo player to have lined-up in senior, reserve and third grade flags at John Foord Oval.

The fanatical Essendon supporter played the bulk of his football across half-back before being thrown into the midfield by coach Ron McKeown in 1994.

He shared the Morris Medal with Albury’s TIm Scott that season.

“Ronny played him in the middle as a ruck-rover,” Spencer said.

“He actually broke his jaw that season and missed a few games but came back for the last game against Wodonga Raiders and picked up votes which tied him with Timmy Scott.

“I think he went back to defence the following season.

“He had a great career.”

Long-time teammate and friend Rod Lane admired Kingston’s integrity above all other traits.

“He was one of those blokes who would do anything for you,” Lane said.

“He would never put his hand out for money and had the highest integrity.

“He played his entire career on basic match payments and won three best and fairests and a Morris Medal.

“A lot of people don’t realise how strong his integrity was.

“He lived life like that.

“He had his demons over the last six years but people need to remember him for the person he was and what he achieved.”

Kingston only broke into Corowa-Rutherglen’s senior side as a 21-year-old after clocking up over 50 matches in the reserves.

Instead of chasing money in the country leagues, the backman dug deep and went on to make Corowa-Rutherglen’s Team of the Century. 

He was joined in defence by Dennis and Jim Sandral, Louis Jackson Snr, Frank King and Bill Francis.

“He had people ringing him offering thousands of dollars to play here, there and everywhere but he wanted to play at Corowa with his mates,” Lane said.

“A lot of players would have been long gone after playing 50 games in the reserves.

“That wasn’t his style.”

Kingston and his wife, Carmel, became heavily involved in fundraising after their son, Jacob, was born with a heart disorder in 1997.

They ran the Royal Children’s Hospital appeal at Corowa for over 10 years, raising about $350,000.

“I’ve known him since he was 10 or 11 and he would always help out any way he could,” Lane said.

“Whenever we needed an umpire for the thirds, you could count on ‘Juice’.”

That included filling in for the Corowa Cricket Club when Lane was captaining the Wangaratta and District team.

“He would often fill in as a fieldsman when we were short,” he said.

“He loved it.

“I remember one day when he dived for a catch and it bounced out when he hit the ground.

“Geez, we gave it to him.”

Former Lavington champion Tim Sanson first came across Kingston during the Ovens and Murray’s 1996 inter-league campaign.

They were teammates in the grand final against Geelong at Wodonga’s Martin Park when Sanson kicked seven goals and Kingston the sealer.

“Robbie Walker threw it to him, and I mean threw it, as ‘Juice’ was running past and he put it through from a forward pocket,” Sanson said.

“He was a fierce competitor on the ground but what happened on the field stayed on the field.

“He wasn’t flash but he was a bloke who played his role really well.

“You could imagine why he would attract some votes in the Morris Medal with that mullet and nose.

“We always caught up for a beer after the game and made it a habit of doing the same when we both finished playing.”

Former Wodonga and Wodonga Raiders star Simon Bone said Kingston had the respect of players and opponents throughout the league.

“I loved playing a few games with ‘Juice’ so I can imagine how much the Corowa-Rutherglen boys enjoyed having him on their side each week,” Bone said.

“He was a very good footballer and a ripping bloke.”

Kingston is survived by Carmel, and children Jacob, Grace and Ella.

The funeral will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Corowa at 11am on Monday.