Culcairn's Trevor 'Chief' Smith steps down as secretary after an incredible 47-years

Recruiting.

"I hated trying to recruit players," Smith said yesterday.

"I've always said that if you could buy players for what you think they are worth and sell them for what they think they are worth - you would be a rich club."

Smith also learnt a valuable lesson early in his role as a recruiter for the Lions.

"Never think you have got a player until they have officially signed," he said.

"I remember one year going to Griffith to interview a prospective coach with Barry Godde and Bill Crawley.

"After the meeting I said to Barry 'he'll sign for sure'.

"39-players later and two weeks before the start of the season, we finally signed a coach.

"I learnt players have a habit of leading you up the garden path and cutting you off at the end."

Smith announced last week that he had stepped down as secretary at the club's annual general.

The 78-year-old will remain on the committee with Tracey Lee and Susan Wright sharing the secretary's role.

After an amazing 47-years as secretary, Smith felt the time was right for someone else to learn the ropes.

"I guess nothing lasts forever," Smith said.

"A lot of a secretary's work is done on computers now which I struggle to cope with.

"I thought now was a good time to train somebody else while the health was still in good order.

"Health-wise I'm fine at the moment but you never know."

After about 40 senior and 100 reserves games for the Lions in the late 1950s, Smith joined the committee in 1961 and has never left.

"I'll admit I was a pretty ordinary footballer," he said.

"I remember my last year of playing. I was even left out of the seconds grand final side, despite being captain.

"That was probably a big enough hint and why I took up a position on the committee at a relatively young age."

Smith said being involved with the youth of the town kept him feeling young and was the motivation for him to remain as secretary for almost five decades.

"I just love being involved with young people," he said.

"You strive to help the club where you can and I've done that as long as I can remember."

Smith fondly remembers running the boundary as a kid.

"I used to catch 'Splinter' Liston's bus to the footy and run the boundary," he said.

"I got a pewter mug in 1959 for services rendered to the footy club.

"I've still got the mug."

Smith is a father of three children, Martin, Keena and Brad.

His wife, Janice, is also a life member of the club.

"Janice has been the backbone of my service and provided me with a tonne of support," he said.

"My whole family has been extremely supportive.

"Keena has also been heavily involved as a volunteer at the club.

"The two boys played more than 600 senior matches between them which I'm immensely proud of."

Smith pinpointed the Lions' 1990 flag triumph under home-grown coach Neville Hensel in the Tallangatta league as the highlight during his time as secretary.

In a massive occasion for the club, all four grades of football contested the grand final with all winning with the exception of the reserves.

"The 1990 grand final is a day I'll never forget," he said.

"In 1968 we struggled to get a side on the paddock at the start of the season but somehow managed to win the flag which was incredible at the time."

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Smith rated his brother, Gary, four-time Farrer league Baz medallist, Harry Gardiner and Bill Box as the most gifted Lions of past eras.

Smith's standouts in more recent times have been Azzi medallists Brent Barber, Scott McGrath and Graham Fruean alongside Jye Shields.

He has been recognised for his contribution to Culcairn and football in general as the recipient of numerous awards and honours.

Smith was awarded life membership in 1981 for his contribution to the club and inducted into the Hume league Hall of Fame in 2016.

He was also presented with a services award from the NSW AFL in 1995, an AFL Merit award in 2007 and received the council's sports award of the year on Australia Day in 2009.

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