Williamstown Football Club legend John Martin died on August 7 aged 92. Seagulls life member Geoff Van Wyngaarden recently interviewed John about his illustrious career.
John joined Williamstown in 1952 and went on to play in the club’s hat-trick of premierships in 1954, 1955, and 1956.
The 1956 season was a special one for John, winning the J.J. Liston Trophy for the VFA’s best and fairest. John recalled how he learnt of his win.
“Club delegate Eddie Marr came around to the family home around 9pm, I was in bed at the time. I finished up receiving 47 votes to the nearest player on 26 votes. In those days both the central and goal umpires awarded votes. I also won the Sporting Globe and Herald newspapers awards.”
John had many personal memories of club identities.
“Wally Carter was a very good and astute coach, he didn’t roar or rant. The previous coach Billy Williams had the team well moulded.”
John also described some of the better players.
“Ray Smith was very elusive on the forward line, Jack Evans was a very good utility player who could play anywhere forward or back, Sid Wookey in the ruck was great, and Frank Sims was a good little wingman.”
John started his successful career on the wing and eventually moved to the centre, where he dominated even more.
His funniest moment in a game occurred against Port Melbourne at the North Port Oval.
“Frankie Johnson was the captain-coach of Port Melbourne. At a quarter time break, Port wouldn’t come out of their huddle. The umpire Billy Merrington blew his whistle and bounced the ball with Port still in the huddle. We got the ball and goaled!”
After leaving Williamstown in 1958, John coached Wentworth in the Sunraysia League for four years, winning two league best and fairests.
Returning to Melbourne, he coached Metro Farm in the Werribee League for one year, and played one season for Parkdale and then coached West Newport in the Western Suburban Football League for seven years, winning the flag in 1968.
John later returned to Williamstown in 1978 as chairman of selectors under captain-coach John “Sticks” Fanning.
