Enormously popular Wangaratta stalwart Kevin Allan became the league’s oldest living Hall of Famer on Wednesday night.
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Affectionately known as “Wobbles”, Allan turns 91 later this month.
“Wangaratta footy club is pretty well everything to me now,” he said proudly.
“Now that I’m retired, I’m on my own, my wife passed away and it’s just a home away from home.”
Allan was one of five inductees, along with Wodonga and Yarrawonga life member Bob Craig, Wangaratta Rovers’ premiership player Norm Bussell, North Albury netballer Paula Cary and five-time Yarrawonga best and fairest Les “Salty” Parish.
Is pretty well everything to me now ... my wife passed away and it’s just a home away from home.
- Kevin Allan
Parish passed away in 1998. He was only 42.
“He loved Yarrawonga, that’s where he started his career,” wife Jenny Parish said.
“Leaving there was devastating, it was extremely unfortunate.
“It did break his heart.”
Parish quit as coach pre-season in 1989 after a disagreement with the club.
He never got that elusive premiership with the Pigeons, but the four other inductees boast 12 between them.
Cary and Bussell claimed four with the Hoppers and Hawks respectively, Allan three and Craig one at Wodonga.
The league also elevated its greatest goalkicker, North Albury’s Stan Sargeant, to Legend status.
“To be inducted into the Legends with the other four is just great, I’m really humbled, but I’m very proud to be with those,” he said.
Two-hundred and twenty people attended.
