Below are excerpts from past and present players Ken McGregor, Robert Shirley and Michael Doughty and former Football Operations General Manager John Reid.
Ken McGregor
“I’d like to thank my father. He has been my biggest support and has always been there for me. He’s been through every bump, tackle, handball and mark I’ve ever had. He’s always found a positive I all of my games. I remember one game where I didn’t get a touch and I played about 30 seconds on the ground and after he said what a great tackle I laid."
“I have been very lucky to come out of high school and I got drafted about a week before sitting my finals exams. To go to a club that looked after me the way it did, in my case for 10 years, was pretty unbelievable. You go through a lot of changes between 18 and 28 and that’s when you become a man. I’m really happy that a club like the Crows got a hold of me and instilled discipline, hard work and a sense of professionalism that I believe made me a better person. It makes me who I am and it will make me so much better as I go forward in life.”
Robert Shirley
“It is a great honour to be standing here tonight and be part of the Adelaide Football Club for the past 10 years. I walked away from AFL football certainly with good memories and having made so many friends and having learnt so much about football and about life as well, I thank the club for that. It goes from the support staff to the admin to the supporters. To the teammates, we have spent a lot of time together on and off the field. To coaches who have taken time to teach me the game and have also given me the opportunity to be here and make the footy club home.
“My family and friends who have given me so much support over the years, especially mum and dad who have given me so much time to further my interest in footy. My partner, who has been there for the whole journey. I’d like to thank everyone for inspiring me. There have been some tough times along the way but as Triggy said I’ve just made sure I made the most of it and because of you guys that are involved I think I’ve done that so thank you.”
Michael Doughty
“Firstly to the board and Steven Trigg, I really appreciate this, it is one of the greatest honours a player can be bestowed at this football club and it will be treasured for life. To my teammates past and present, I really appreciate the camaraderie, respect and care that you have shown for me. I haven’t always done it easy, I’ve got myself into bits of trouble here and there, but this football club has brought the best out of me and made me the person who I am today. Special thanks to Neil Craig and John Reid when things weren’t going well they stuck by me and showed the faith in me and I am here today and I’ve lasted 10 years at a footy club so thank you very much.
"Finally to my family, you don’t make it this far without your family. My parents have always supported me in anything I’ve done. They have always taken me to games and Dad always is my biggest critic and tells me what I’m doing wrong. He should have played AFL himself, but he has been a great support of mine. To my wife, the sacrifices that you make and the journey we have shared together has been great.”
John Reid
“When you do the job that I was able to do with the passion that I did, that in itself is a reward so I’m very thankful for the football club for this life membership.”
“I’d like to thank everyone for their support, and there were a lot of people over the period, in particular my family and to Di. To be a life member of any organisation is a great thing, but to be a life member of the Adelaide Football Club is special.”
