He will be laid to rest at the MCG on Friday 5 August.
Jacobs played an important role in the Club’s history as explained in the following passage from the book ‘Fitzroy’:
“In 1955, Fitzroy Football Club players were still usually known as the Maroons, but in 1957 they became the Lions, and have carried this emblem with distinction ever since. Ward Stuchbery, Fitzroy’s Secretary at the time, recalls that the idea of adopting the lion as the Club’s mascot was first encouraged by the Club’s Treasurer Bill Jacobs and Vice-President Bert Walters.
In the 1957 annual report, members were told that traditionally the lion had been the symbol of England in both sport and war. The Club had adopted the lions as it’s emblembecause, like the lion, Fitzroy had a never-say-die spirit. According to Stuchbery, the Club was eager to rid itself of the ‘Gorillas’ tag - a name it had acquired in the late 1930s: “The ‘Gorillas’ was a terrible name. If you know much about gorillas, you know that they don’t have many brains,” Stuchbery said.
Since 1957, Fitzroy has redesigned the lion emblem used on official Club products and its present lion has one paw over a football.”
Jacobs was also much revered in Australian cricket circles having been a wonderful wicketkeeper for Fitzroy's local XI who were very successful during his era.
He was a close and trsuted confidant of Sir Donald Bradman and even brought 'The Don' to Brunswick Street Oval to watch Len Smith lead Fitzroy to a famous win over Melbourne.
Jacobs later formed part of one of radio's most famous football commentary teams with Harry Beitzel at 3AW.
The Club extends its heartfelt sympathies to the entire Jacobs family.
