Hall of Fame

LEGEND OF GOODWOOD (Over 30 Years of outstanding service)

2005 - Colin ‘Tiny’ Nelson
6/12/35 - 9/8/22

2005 Colin “Tiny” Nelson
LEGEND OF GOODWOOD

Over 30 Years of outstanding service

Colin “Tiny” Nelson was born on 6th December 1935 at Kings Park and in 1941 went to the Goodwood Primary School. Colin’s father, Laurence Nelson was an exceptionally large man, and was called “Tiny” - the nickname was passed on to Colin – and “Tiny” stuck.

Tiny was considered a good footballer when he broke his leg in 1947 playing football for Goodwood Primary School. His leg never healed properly, there was little rehabilitation in those days and a promising sporting career was curtailed.

Tiny was 12 years old at the time and the then President of the Goodwood Football Club – Mr Peter Haynes decided he needed to be involved at the local club doing something. In his first year at the club Tiny took on the A grade Team Manager role and so began his amazing involvement in administration and on field help, for the Goodwood and Goodwood Saints Football Club for the next 72 years.

In 1950 when only 15 years old Colin, attended the club’s AGM and got nominated onto the committee. He also attended the Amateur League AGM, that same year with President Corey Treloar and was elected to the committee. He formed many great friendships – in particular with Allan Statton who was the CEO of the Amateur League for many years and former President Keith Sims.

In 1952 Colin was called up to National service at Woodside but lasted only 10 days when they discover he has flat feet.

In 1975 he is heavily involved in amalgamation negotiations with Postal Institute, but nothing eventuates.

In 1978 Colin was instrumental in Goodwood leaving the Amateur League and joining the Glenelg - South competition. The decision is justified in the short term when the A Grade won the A2 flag against Norwood Union.

In 1984 the A grade end up bottom winning just 2 games in the southern Metro League, the B grade were winless, and the C grade forfeit all games after round 8. The club is at an all-time low. During this year Colin is heavily involved in a proposed amalgamation with the St Raphael’s Football Club that would ultimately be regarded as one of the most successful amalgamations of two clubs and saved both from extinction.

This was the beginning of the Colin Nelson and Hans Ellenbroek partnership that steered the club in the first decade in the history of the newly formed Goodwood Saints Football Club.

In 1986 Tiny took over as President and in 1987 the club won its first A grade premiership. The club won its next premiership playing in 1990 and is promoted to Division One.

In 1997 the A grades win the A1 Grand Final against PHOS at Adelaide Oval; this was the clubs first Division One premiership flag and the last time that Tiny watched the entire game of a grand final. Tiny nearly died due to the excitement and had to o be slapped to revive him.

Tiny filled the roles of President, Secretary, Treasurer, Football Director, Bar Manager, Trainer, Timekeeper, Team Manager, Goal Umpire, Boundary Umpire and even worked in the canteen.

The role that so many would reflect upon was his role as the club’s timekeeper. He filled this role for many years – sitting up in the grandstand with his blanket over his legs. When the games were tight many people would call out “Tiny – how long to go?” and he would normally tell them in an uncertain manner where they could go! He was also the SAAFL State timekeeper from 1983 to 1998.

Colin was the executive of the Amateur League from 1992 - 1996, he was State Team Manager, State Timekeeper from 1983 to 1998 and was the clubs delegate for many years.

He has made many friends at our headquarters but most notably the ladies: Elaine, Winnie, Kylie, and Glenda.

For 10 years Tiny drove the Saints van to every away game and unloads the medical equipment, water containers, footballs, jumpers, and water bottles. On the Fridays before the match, he collected the jumpers from the dry cleaner and sorts out the guernsey ready for match day. He filled out any paperwork required and ensures the match day footballs are pumped and clean. Every Monday he took the dirty jumpers to the dry cleaners and gets everything ready for training on Tuesday night.

Officially retiring from volunteering due to ill health, he lived in a nursing home near his sister, Barbara and sadly departed passed on the 9th of August 2022.

Colin ‘Tiny’ Nelson Awards and Recognition.

• 1959 he was awarded Life Membership of the Goodwood Football Club at the age of 24 years.

• 1997 - The Unley Council awards Tiny a ‘Community Service Award’ for 50 years’ service to the Goodwood Saints Football Club.

• 2002 – 2004 - The SAAFL U/17 Best and Fairest medal is named the ‘Colin Nelson Medal’

• 2003 - Metro South Junior Football League awards Tiny the President’s Award for outstanding service to Junior Football.

• 2005- Goodwood Saints names Tiny and Hans Ellenbrook as inaugural Greats of the club for over 30 years of dedicated service to the GSFC.

• 2004 - The AFL recognises Tiny’s service to football with a certificate of thanks.

• 2014 - The City of Unley and both the Goodwood Saints Football and Goodwood Cricket club’s name the grandstand – ‘The Colin ‘Tiny’ Nelson OAM Stand’ in his honour.

• 2020 - The new club rooms terrace is named The Colin ‘Tiny’ Nelson OAM Terrace

On the 8th of June 2009, Colin Walter NELSON was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to Australian Rules football through junior player development and the Goodwood Saints Football Club. His proudest recognition.

His legacy will always live on.

TIny’s Eulogy 22nd August 2022 - prepared by President , Craig Scott

2005 - Hans Ellenbroek 

2008 - Mark Goodman

Mark Goodman must be the most selfless person in the world.  He spends nearly all his life doing things for other people, be it work, helping out at the football club, donating plasma or just helping someone in the community.

Mark’s greatest achievements have been with the Goodwood Saints Football Club where he first started helping out boundary umpiring the B grade footy when he was 10 yrs old in 1972. His Dad Allan Goodman brought him out to the club and he has been involved in some capacity as a volunteer ever since.  

In his 49 years of service he has filled most roles at the club, including Bar, Canteen, BBQ, match day set up, Social Director, management committee and as a player.  His greatest impact on the club has been as the Junior Football Director where he started the junior football program for the Saints.  In the late 80’s the club only had two junior teams, as a result of Mark’s passion and drive and a small group of volunteers they implemented a junior program that is the envy of most other clubs.  The club now fields 16 junior teams – five of which are girl’s teams.  Numerous meetings – all out of hours were spent formulating the Metro South Junior Football League with nine other clubs.  Slowly but surely the league grew bigger and bigger and eventually the SANFL Juniors took over running the league due to its size and the enormous workload placed on the volunteers.

When Mark stepped down as the Junior Football Director he immediately took up the position of Facilities Manager.  The Goodwood Oval complex was extremely old and run down and was in need of a lot of work and ultimately a pathway to replace the building.  Mark runs his own business – Goodman Plumbing and any commitment to the club during the day costs him money.  This has never deterred Mark and he has always made himself available day and night to assist the club to improve.

Mark is always at the Club helping with Events, Match Day set-up and pack-up and just about anything else that needs doing. He was also a previous A Grade player.

Mark has been a recipient of many Club awards including Life Membership, Harry and Lena Todd Memorial Trophy and in 2008 inducted into Club Legend status.

2014 - Craig Kirkbright

Craig Kirkbright is a familiar face around the Club. He started with the Goodwood Football Club in 1978 as a Junior playing in the U14 competition. He went on to play 93 Senior Games in the B and C Grade sides, and kicking 14 goals. Kirky, as he is affectionately known, then transgressed into Coaching where he successfully led the D Grade side to a Premiership in 1993.

Since retiring from playing, Kirky has taken up several roles within the club but is by far recognised for his role as A Grade Team Manage. Without Craig's ability to “Player Manage” the way he has over the past 14 years, we would not have had the on field success we've had over the past 40 years.

He has also been involved with Social Committees and Management Committees, but is best known for the running of the bar on Friday nights and many other Special Club Events during the year. This is all on a voluntary basis. In 2014 Craig was honoured with the Clubs Legend Status.

2016 - Craig Scott

Craig began his journey playing junior football with the Goodwood Football Club. He then went on to play senior football for the Goodwood Football Club and the Goodwood Saints Football Club. Craig played 58 games for Goodwood Saints and represented A , B , C and D Grade. He was a handy centre half forward and full forward and kicked four goals in a B Grade premiership in 1986 . He also held the club record of 15 goals 6 for some time. Whist these are pretty impressive stats , Craig soon worked out that he could be of more value to the club as an administrator rather than a player. He first joined the committee as a 22 year old and since then has filled various roles for the club .

Some of these include;

• Social committee president 1986 , 87 , 88 , 89

• Club President 1990 , 91 , 92 , 94 , 96 , 97, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202, 2022

• Peter Haines recipient 1986 , 87 , 90

• Lena Todd recipient 1989 , 96 , 97

• Life Member 1994

• Club Great 2016

Over more recent years he has been;

• Council Liaison

• Metro South JFL Deputy Delegate

• SAAFL Delegate 2014 , 15 , 16

• Auskick Coordinator 2005 - 2022

• Junior Coach 2006 - 2009

• Management Committee 15+ years

Goodwood Football Club and St Raephels Football Club merged in 1985 to form the Goodwood Saints Football Club. The club began in Division 4 and quickly rose through the divisions winning A Grade premierships in Div 3 in 1987 Div 2 in 1990 and Div 1 in 1997 .

Craig held a management position in all of these premiership years and was pivotal in the growth of the club during this period .

As we progressed through the grades we needed to become more professional both on and off the field , it was Craig Scott who drove us forward in this area providing the foundations of professionalism to allow us to reach our goal of not only reaching Div 1 but to stay there and win premierships

In the mid nineties the club had some serious financial challenges and it was Craig and Marty Hill who went to the council and convinced the councilors that supporting the football club by writing off our debt and reducing the lease fee was the correct thing to do . By succeeding in these dealings they in essence saved the club .

We know that Peter Haynes had a profound influence on Tiny becoming an administrator and that Lena and Harry Todd had a major influence on Hans .

I am sure that Hans and Tiny have had an influence on Craig which has then inspired many others to help out at the club .

People come and go from footy clubs all of the time . Some do great things and leave their mark on the club and others are happy just to enjoy the environment. Legends of the club help shape the culture of the club and never deviate from their loyalty and commitment to making the club what it is today .

Over thirty consecutive years Craig has been an inspiration to many people at the club and through his leadership , guidance , support and encouragement has made a difference to many of our lives and ensured that Goodwood Saints remain the bench mark of the Amateur league.

GREAT OF GOODWOOD (Over 20 Years of outstanding service)

2010 - Martin Hill

Martin Hill has made a significant contribution to the emergence and continuing success of the Goodwood Saints Football Club over many years.

Below is a brief overview of Martin’s involvement with the club, including his roles and achievements. This highlights his significant contributions and dedication in making the Saints a formidable force as it is today.

•  Started in 1984 in U16’s as a Goodwood Tiger

• 1986 U18 Premiership player

• 115 senior games

• Coached U13 & U14’s in 2018 – 2019 (son Riley’s team)

• Treasurer 1994 – 1997, 2000 – 2002, 2016 – 2017 (9 years)

• President 1998 – 1999 (2 years)

• Chairman 2008 – 2010 (3 years)

• Total of 14 years as Treasurer, President & Chairman

• A Grade Team Manager (jointly with Craig Kirkbright) 2003 – 2004

• A Grade Runner 2012 – 2014

• 3 x Peter Haynes Memorial Award

• Sponsor of the club for 18 years (William Buck)

• Bar Manager 2005

• Chaired the selection of the ‘Team of the 20 years’ since the amalgamation.

 Other substantial initiatives established by Martin, that are still pertinent to today include:

• Establishing Patron Saints

• Proper financial reporting for the club

• Presentation night B&F vote counts

• Elevated life membership categories of Legend & Great

• Sponsorship on guernseys (one of the first in Adelaide Footy League)

• Foundation Club in 1996 when the club was financially struggling

Martin also had the arduous task to reconcile and document all the player statistics from various old books, team sheets, notes etc. for the Saints 20 year anniversary with spreadsheets that are still in use today – fortunate, as the old books etc. were later destroyed in a fire.

Martin Hill has been, and continues to be, an integral contributor to the Goodwood Saints FC and his dedication and longevity has all the hallmarks of a club great.

2012 - Matthew Kerin

Matthew Kerin joined the Goodwood Saints Football Club for the 1993 season after a number of seasons playing juniors and reserves football at the South Adelaide Football Club.  He was recruited by then Club Captain, David “Bomber” Whelan as a disciplined and highly skilled centre half back.

Playing under 6 senior coaches Matthew played 206 games for the club and kicked 337 goals over 11 seasons.  During those 11 seasons Matthew played in 5 Division 1 Reserves premiership sides between 1998 and 2002.  Unfortunately Matthew missed playing in the 1997 A Grade Premiership side after a late season injury side-lined him for the decider.

Matthew was known as a strong leader of the club which was recognised in official roles as vice-captain of the A Grade side between 1995 and 1997 seasons and Co-captain of the B Grade side between 2002 and 2004.  Whilst he commenced his career as a defender he reinvented his game as a strong bodied leading forward heading the Division 1 Reserves goal kicking in season 2001 where he kicked 62 goals.

Matthew was awarded life membership of the club in 2001.

Following his retirement as a player Matthew served as assistant coach in the Division 1 reserves in season 2005 to then B grade coach, Trent Mills.

Despite what was an excellent playing career Matthew had his greatest impact on the Goodwood Saints off the field.  A tireless volunteer Matthew served in administrative roles for the club over 15 years.  After starting as a social committee representative Matthew became treasurer of the club in 2000 where he served an initial 2 terms, combining that role with the presidency of the club in 2001. A general role on the committee between 2002 and 2004  was then replaced by a second term as treasurer, a role he filled between 2005 and 2009. After a year away from official duties Matthew returned to the committee in 2011 serving 2 terms as secretary in 2011 and 2012 followed by a third term as treasurer in 2014.

Matthew’s service to the club was further recognised by him being awarded the Peter Haynes Memorial Trophy on 3 occasions, 2001, 2003 and 2004.

Matthew was made a great of Goodwood Saints in 2012. 

2020 - Michael Waite

A summary of Mick Waite’s involvement in the club.

• First game for Goodwood FC 1979, (was 27 yrs old), last game Goodwood Saints 1991.

• Won Best Team man B's and C's on several occasions not sure of dates.

• Played, just over 200 games but a few years ago Marty Hill record's showed he played 196 games.

• Captained both B's 1980 to 1983 and C's 1987, 1988 (and may have been other years but can't remember).

• Coached B grade 1983 and coached C grade 1987, (1988 ?), Assistant coach C grade 1989, 1990.

• Management Committee member 1985, inaugural GSFC ( very mixed and full on year), went back onto Management Committee 1997 and 1998.

• Been on numerous sub-committees over the years, coaching panels, selection panels, working parties, social and fundraising etc.

• Most recent the last 10 years as Patron Saints Co-coordinator.

• The thing that he enjoys most is the mate-ship amongst Club members. He likes to feel that he has contributed to a successful Club by engaging with every one and making them feel part of the Club.

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