During Saturday night’s final against North Melbourne, the Sydney Swans players will wear armbands as a mark of respect for life member Ken Brain, who passed away on Tuesday.

Ken was born 10/05/1934 in Beulah, Victoria, in the Mallee region. He was raised up in a footy-mad family, and his father, Ralph, was president of Beulah Footy club. His Great Uncle, the legendary Terry Brain, played the Swans' 1933 premiership team.

Ken moved to Sydney in 1969, settling in the southern suburbs of Ramsgate and Beverley Park. Ken’s four boys played for St Patricks AFC (later Ramsgate), with all representing Sydney and three making the NSW Teal Cup teams. Ken held the roles of secretary and president at different stages with Ramsgate AFC. After Junior football, Ken and the boys moved onto the St George senior AFC, where Ken again was active with the club.

When the Swans first relocated to Sydney, Ken, a real estate agent, through his love of AFL, became associated with the Club. He was instrumental in finding accomodation for quite a few of the players after the relocation.

He soon found himself in the role of time keeper for Sydney Swans' senior home games, a role he played for 17 years until he fell ill and was unable to carry out the duties any longer.

His most famous push of the button was in the 1996 Preliminary Final against Essendon, when Tony Lockett kicked a point to secure a spot in the Grand Final.

Ken was awarded Swans Life Membership in 1999 for his services to the club.

Ken was extremely proud of his family, and particularly his 12 grandchildren.

Two of Kens 12 grandchildren, Levi and James, will play for North Shore against East Coast in the Under 18’s Premier League 2nd Semi Final this weekend, with their father Leigh as coach.

Ken was an extremely passionate and loyal Swans man right up until he passed away. He never missed a game and would go to games whenever he was capable of getting there. He loved everyone and everything to do with the Swans.

“Ken was one of the people who held this club together in the most difficult of times,” said Sydney Swans’ Chairman Richard Colless.

“It was therefore something special that he was able to watch his beloved Swans win their first premiership since the 1933 Premiership, a match in which his great uncle played.” 

Ken’s funeral will be held at the Macquarie Park Crematorium at 10:15 on Monday, 8th September. His son, Leigh, says he will be wearing his Swans tie on Monday as he leaves us with the Swans team song playing in the background.