The night is in essence a celebration of the best individual players the Club has ever produced, but inaugural Swans Hall of Fame Bloods Legend Bob Skilton believes that the upcoming 2011 event will also commemorate others who have contributed to the Club’s success.
“I think that the most important thing is that the guys who have worn the jumper are remembered, and their service and talent is recognised,” Skilton told sydneyswans.com.au.
“However, it takes more than just the so-called good players; Clubs are made up of people who on and off the field work their heart out.”
In speaking about the first Swans Hall of Fame event to be held north of the Murray, Skilton believed that the event would be another fitting reward for those who battled so that the Club could make their mark in Sydney.
“When we moved to Sydney, most of us thought that was the end of our Club. We didn’t think we would be embraced by Sydney like we have, especially since Richard Colless took over,” he said.
“Our 25 year night in Sydney showed just what some of our players and committee had to go through to get the Club set up, and reminded us all how close we were to falling over on a number of occasions.”
“If it hadn’t have been for certain individuals who generally don’t like to be named, we would have fallen over, but now we have a Club that probably for the first time in my recollection is respected by all and sundry.”
Skilton, the captain of the Swans Team of the Century, looked back on the 2009 Swans Hall of Fame event with great fondness, and was grateful to be inducted as a Bloods Legend alongside his great friend Paul Kelly.
“It was quite emotional actually,” Skilton said.
“Anything like that is terrific, and from my own point of view, it was great to be inducted at the same time as Kel because I don’t think anyone will replace him as my favourite player.”
“I loved the way he went about it. There are all forms of inspiration and leadership, and Kel was certainly lead-by-example.”
“If you didn’t get a lift playing with a bloke who would approach the football like Kel did, I think there’s something wrong with you,” he said.
The second Hall of Fame dinner - to be held at the Bayside Grand Hall of the Sydney Convention Centre on Saturday April 30 - will be the highlight of an historic weekend for the Sydney Swans, following on from the Swans hosting Carlton at the SCG on April 29.
As well as being the first time that Friday night football has been played in Sydney since the famous 2005 semi-final, the game against Carlton will also be a repeat of last year’s thrilling Elimination Final, an effort that Skilton believes the players can build on in 2011.
“I’ll be very disappointed if we don’t do at least as well as last year,” he said
“A lot depends on the fitness of people such as Bradshaw, Mumford and McGlynn, and of course we will miss Kirky, but Josh Kennedy, Jude Bolton and those guys will cover for that, and let’s hope the improvement in the other kids such as Rohan and Jetta can continue.”
Tickets for the 2011 Swans Hall of Fame are still available. Book tickets online, or call the Sydney Swans Events team on 02 9339 9123 for more details.
If you are looking to travel from interstate for the Swans Hall of Fame, please click here for all the great deals from Sydney Swans Travel, including exclusive club tours over the weekend of April 29 and 30.
