R.I.P Bill Thomas [NA]

[mal]

Billy Thomas, a 1960 Premiership player for NA, has sadly passed away
Was also called Cheeky Charlie
Billy was known as the player that would imitate an umpires whistle on the footy field
It is said he had this amazing ability to whistle, and whilst the other players would stop, he would take off with the footy !

Billy started his career at PA, despite being an ardent NA supporter
Billy played 18 games with the powerful Magpies in the 1950's but couldnt crack a regular league spot
However there was some consolation , Billy did play in 5 winning seconds Grand Finals for PA
He joined NA in 1960 and played in a Premiership team for NA in his first season at Prospect, and ironically this NA Premiership stopped a run of 6 flags in a row for PA

Billy also created a record of sorts in the SANFL
He was the first or one of the first to play 100 seconds and 100 league games in the SANFL

Ive only heard, read and learnt stories about Billy Thomas
He must have been one of the real characters of SANFL football

[robranisgod]

As a youngster I saw a lot of Billy Thomas play and I can think of very few other players who were quite so much loved. Perhaps it was for his cheekiness, perhaps it was because he was so small or perhaps it was because he had to fight so hard for his chance but everyone loved "Cheeky Charlie" and supporters of all clubs referred to him by that nickname.
He was a wonderful stalwart for North. He was league runner in the 1971 and 1972 premiership triumphs as well as the Champions of Australia victory and was a selector in the Nunan era.
Despite being terminally ill with cancer he was at Prospect for the last home game this year to see North beat South.
North have a tribute up for him on their website that details more of his career.
Billy was the second ever player to play 100 senior and 100 seconds games. "Brick" Hoffman from Port was the first. As an aside I think that Brick is Vicki Cardwell (nee Hoffman) the famous squash player's father.

[MagareyLegend]

A story from one of Billy's sons Steven:
'Cheeky' got his nickname name from his ability to mimic the umpire's whistle - I know because he's my dad - back in those days the umpire's whistle sounded different - much like the referee's whistle in NRL these days. I read (and he told me) that one afternoon at Thebarton Oval, Bob Shearman was running into an open goal for West Torrens - only to hear the umpire's whistle. He stopped and threw the ball to the ground in disgust - only the umpire hadn't whistled - it was Cheeky Charlie saving a goal for the Roosters!

[MagareyLegend]

Cheeky Charlie as Patto's runner sanfl grand final day 1972.