SA Footy

I have just been advised that 1987 Grand Final umpire Neville Thorp passed away recently from an asbestos related illness aged 60 years of age. It only seems yesterday that he was umpiring.

Was talking to SANFL umpires boss Shane Harris last week about Neville's passing, all the umpires in last weekends round of football wore black armbands as a mark of repsect.

Kris Grant was telling that Neville played U17's and U19's with him at Central back in the day and he was known as 'Smiley' as he always had a smile on his face and was a lovely man.

I work with former Central player Ian DeAraugo who knew Smiley from his Salisbury FC days and said that Neville umpired him when he played league for the Doggies.

Said he was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet and was very friendly and was a very very good footballer himself but inury prevented him from playing higer up.

I mentioned his sad passing on 5RPH last week and Darryl Smith was saying in his playing days, Neville used to have a beer with the players post game and was a true gentleman.

Condolences to his family and RIP Smiley.

good bloke too, Central supporter, lived in Salisbury Downs for a while, bummer

175 League games (field)

1 League Grand Final

Above photo of Neville giving a 15m penalty at Unley Oval

Courtesy of - http://www.sanflua.org.au/

That must be a very rare photo ....... a 15m penalty against Sturt ?
Not an umpire lover but sad to hear this news .....seems like yesterday I was abusing this man.

not many Dogs fans can remember 15m penalties

Dutchy wrote:not many Dogs fans can remember 15m penalties

that's because it was 15 yards.

CENTURION wrote:that's because it was 15 yards.

Touche.

A terrific bloke, whose smile defined his outlook on life. Must have been 250 people at least at his funeral, he touched many lives.

True story - he once got in trouble with SANFL for his smile. He was told to not smile while reporting players as it just didn't look right!

There will be a beer on the bar at the Crows/St Kilda game at AAMI when his family/mates gather at half time in the members bar, where they met at every Crows home match.

Nice post mate.