Ferguson was the Club’s medical officer from 1950-1979 and Hawthorn Football Club President from 1953-1967. His ultimate achievement was overseeing the Club’s transition from being known as the ‘easy-beats’ in the early 1950s to a team feared throughout the competition, delivering premiership success in 1961 to his beloved Hawks.
Hawthorn President, Jeff Kennett, paid tribute to a man who devoted much of his life to the betterment of the Club.
“With the passing of Dr Sandy (Doc) Ferguson the Hawthorn Football Club has lost a passionate supporter, and a wonderful servant of the Club,” reflected Kennett.
“The Doc, as he was affectionately known, was the Clubs second longest serving president and has an army of friends both from inside the Hawthorn Family and beyond who will be saddened by his passing. Suffice to say he lived a long and full life, and many of us are the beneficiaries of his values, passion and professionalism.”
“There are a handful of personalities at Hawthorn that by their own example created the Family Club we are today, and Doc Ferguson was one of those people.”
“We extend our condolences to his Family, and thank them for sharing his life with Hawthorn,” concluded the President.
In noting with great sadness the passing of Dr Sandy Ferguson, Hawthorn Chief Executive Ian Robson said, “Ferguson will always be remembered by the Hawthorn family for his often used phrase which remains etched on the walls at Hawthorn’s home at Waverley Park - If you embrace Hawthorn, Hawthorn will embrace you - nothing could be more true of Dr Sandy Ferguson and his family.”
Hawthorn great John Kennedy Snr recalled the spirit in which Dr Ferguson lead the Club off the field. “I think that the administration of a Club is the important thing and Sandy was very conscious of that.”
“I remember as a player, when he was President, we all had a great respect for him.”
“I recall in my first year as a player I got injured and my mum was terribly worried. And quick as a flash Sandy came around to our house to re-assure her that everything was going to be ok. He always had our welfare at heart,” recalls Kennedy.
Graham Arthur, who captained the 1961 Hawthorn premiership side, remembers a man who changed the Club’s culture.
“He was imbued with the Hawthorn spirit and just wanted the Club to succeed,” said Arthur.
“He was one of the guys who changed the Club. He made us stronger – resilient, and changed our culture,” the Hawks Legend continued.
In his time as President he introduced a culture of professionalism within the Club’s committee. Former player and chairman of selectors, Jack McLeod, reflected on Ferguson’s outstanding career as a leader at the Club.
“On-field I see Bert Mills and John Kennedy Snr as the dominant men, and off-field I see Dr Jacob Jona and Dr Sandy Ferguson as the major influences on the establishment of Hawthorn as a powerhouse in football,” said McLeod.
“Probably the greatest thing I can say about Sandy is that he always impressed us in committee with his desire to ensure we developed specialists in the various sub-committees throughout the club; football, finance and administration.”
“We always had such faith in those in our committees and the decision that came from them, which ultimately brought success, and that can be credited to the Doctor,” said the former chairman of selectors.
Ferguson was instrumental in acquiring the land where the Social Club stood at Glenferrie Oval, which was to become a popular meeting place for supporters in the years that followed.
Fittingly, the Club takes on the Bulldogs this weekend, the Club it defeated to win the 1961 premiership. The Players will wear black arm bands in memory of the life and contribution that Dr Sandy Ferguson has made to the family club.
Funeral details will be confirmed shortly and appear on hawthornfc.com.au
Dr Sandy Ferguson
Hawthorn Football Club President 1953-1967
Club’s Medical Officer 1950-1979
Life member 1957
Inducted to the Hawthorn Hall of Fame 2003
