Vale - Brian "Pop" Purcell

Hi Everyone

The SDJFUA is saddened by the recent passing of Life Member - Brian "Pop" Purcell.

Brian "Pop" Purcell started umpiring in the Swan Districts Football Club Junior Council Umpires (now SDJFUA) in the late 1960s. Whilst we don't have any records on the number of games Pop umpired, he was well known and well respected by all players and administrators of the day. He was appointed to the role of Umpire's Advisor in 1975 and again in 1982 and continued to umpire during this time. In 1997, he was awarded Life Membership of SDJFUA for his contribution to umpiring.

In the mid 2000s his grandson Callum Johnson started umpiring with SDJFUA and this provided a great opportunity for Pop to reconnect with our Association. He loved watching Callum umpire and provided additional support/mentoring to a number of new umpires who started umpiring at that time. Between 2009 and 2012, Pop acted as a Umpire Mentor on match days and was an integral part of our coaching panel.

Pop and his family moved to Augusta which ended his most recent involvement with us.

Apart from being a great umpire, coach and mentor, Pop was simply a quality person who would do anything for anyone. Our thoughts and prayers are with Callum Johnson and all the Purcell family at such a sad time. RIP Pop xxxx

PS: All SDJFUA Umpires are advised to wear Black armbands (on left arm) in memory of Pop and in support of his family during Round 1 of fixtures this weekend - Hayesy

 

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We are always on the look out for new Umpires, so if you would like to give umpiring a go, contact Glenn Tunstead on 0400 835 305 for all the information.