VALE - Doug Thomas

[mots02]

A larger than life figure of both West Adelaide and the SANFL.

R.I.P Doug Thomas 20th April 2020.

[Brodlach]

The words “legend”, “great” and “champion” get used too much in our sport.

But Doug is all of these, a great, a legend and champion of both the West Adelaide Football Club and the SANFL. This is truly one of the saddest moments for me in Football.

Vale Doug.

[Magellan]

Rest in peace, Doug. An impressive on field resume: 200-plus games, 1961 premiership, captain, coach, state footy - represented the state as a full-back and full-forward, if I recall someone else's recollection properly. And then there was his administrative career.

From my perspective as a kid watching SANFL footy in the 80s, he seemed like he was the West Adelaide Football Club, and someone who didn't take any crap. I think there was some controversy over his departure from the club, but he deserves to be remembered a a great servant of his club on and off the field.

[Booney]

A sad day for SA footy and particularly sad day for the West Adelaide Football Club. Vale.

[UK Fan]

Condolences to his family was a great SANFL man.

[Spargo]

The last of the “old guard”. A great Westies man, a great SANFL man.
RIP

[Dutchy]

Sad day, RIP.

How old was he?

[Booney]

Sad day, RIP.

How old was he?

87, I think.

[MW]

RIP Doug.

[mots02]

The last of the “old guard”. A great Westies man, a great SANFL man.
RIP

Kris Grant really the only other i can think of to be included in the ''old guard'' conversation.

[Pseudo]

From my perspective as a kid watching SANFL footy in the 80s, he seemed like he was the West Adelaide Football Club, and someone who didn't take any crap. I think there was some controversy over his departure from the club, but he deserves to be remembered a a great servant of his club on and off the field.

^ what he said.

[blood bath]

PLAYING RECORD
218 games and 110 goals for West Adelaide 1951 – 1956 , 1961 – 1965
West Adelaide Captain 1963 – 1965

PREMIERSHIPS
Member of West Adelaide premiership team 1961

MATCHES FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
5 games for South Australia

COACHING RECORD
West Adelaide Coach 1963 – 1964

ADMINISTRATION RECORD
West Adelaide General Manager 1977 – 2006
SANFL Match and Permit Committee 1987 – 2006
SANFL League Director 1977, 1991 – 1993
Proxy League Director 1978 – 1990, 1994 – 2006
SANFL Umpires Board 1989 – 1993
SANFL State Selector / State of Origin Selector 1990 – 1995

ACHIEVEMENTS
West Adelaide Life Member
SANFL Player Life Member 1966
SANFL League Life Member 1997
Inaugural Member of the West Adelaide Hall of Fame 2005

[Magellan]

The last of the “old guard”. A great Westies man, a great SANFL man.
RIP

An excellent way of describing that 'earlier' generation of footy administrators.

[JK]

Such a big figure in the 80’s as a SANFL obsessed kid. Condolences to the Westies community

[Bluedemon]

RIP Doug

I had the chance to have a good chat to Doug for the few years that I was helping out at West Adel.

Love the footy chat with him.

[Spargo]

The last of the “old guard”. A great Westies man, a great SANFL man.
RIP

An excellent way of describing that 'earlier' generation of footy administrators.

I know there were more but Harry Kernahan, Bob McLean & Doug Thomas always stood out as larger than life figures when I was growing up in a similar era to many on here.

[Magellan]

The last of the “old guard”. A great Westies man, a great SANFL man.
RIP

An excellent way of describing that 'earlier' generation of footy administrators.

Harry Kernahan, Bob McLean

Yes, i was thinking of the same, as well as the earlier reference to Kris Grant. Long-term club servants, and ambassadors.

[Wedgie]

Very sad even though a good innings, like others have mentioned on here already when I was growing up following a strong SANFL he WAS West Adelaide. RIP Doug.

[Lightning McQueen]

RIP Doug Thomas, a very sad day for the club, growing up in the 80's he was one of the larger than life characters of the SANFL.

[gazzamagoo]

How did he die?