‘Legend of the sport’: Legendary WA coach John Todd lifeless at 86

The Australian Soccer Corridor of Famer excelled on the sector however can be remembered as one of many nice coaches of the sport.

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At simply 17 yr and 4 months outdated, Todd received the WAFL’s Sandover Medal because the competitors’s finest and fairest in 1955, beating Australian Soccer Corridor of Fame Legend Graham “Polly” Farmer by 4 factors.

Todd was the youngest winner within the competitors’s historical past, aside from 1942 winner Laurie Bowen throughout which the competitors was restricted to under-age due to World Struggle II.

However an ACL damage in his second season within the WAFL noticed him tally simply two extra injury-free seasons though didn’t cease him from being a three-time finest and fairest winner for South Fremantle, 13-time consultant participant for Western Australia and a 1961 All-Australian.

He completed with 132 video games for South Fremantle — together with a season a captain-coach on the age of simply 21 — earlier than transitioning into full-time teaching on the finish of his enjoying profession.

It was a profitable transfer with Todd claiming six premierships between 1966 and 2022, the place he coached WAFL sides South Fremantle, East Fremantle and Swan Districts.

However he was additionally the West Coast Eagles’ second ever coach — there have solely even been six thus far — and the primary to take the membership to the finals.

Within the 1988 VFL season, Todd led the Eagles to fourth on the ladder, finally dropping an elimination remaining thriller to Melbourne by simply two factors.

Nonetheless, Todd’s second season noticed the Eagles end eleventh and the membership signed Mick Malthouse to switch him.

The following season, Todd led Swan Districts to the WAFL premiership.

On prime of his 721 league matches as coach, Todd additionally coached Western Australia in 14 matches in addition to Australia in six Worldwide Guidelines Exams.

Todd was additionally the primary Western Australian to teach over 700 video games.

Todd was inducted into the Australian Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2003 and was made a legend of the Western Australian Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2004.

He’s additionally in each the Swan Districts and South Fremantle Halls of Fame, the latter of which he was made an inaugural legend.

He was additionally the Swan Districts’ Crew of the Century coach.

Upon the information of his loss of life, AFL Fee chair Richard Goyder mentioned Todd could be “deeply missed by all”.

“John Todd was profitable in each side of his soccer journey and influenced a lot of West Australian soccer to demand the best requirements and search for fixed enchancment,” Goyder mentioned in an announcement.

“To win premierships at three totally different golf equipment is a unprecedented achievement. He moulded gamers into nice groups however I need to acknowledge too that John had an unbelievable love of the sport and soccer individuals throughout his complete life.

“Within the privilege of having the ability to spend time with him lately, he was nonetheless an everyday attendee at video games, engaged with everybody throughout soccer and was an important advocate for the sport and what it might do for individuals and communities.

“He was extremely powerful, constructing his profession after damage took away his enjoying days, and he had the best requirements as a coach, however he was additionally extremely beneficiant and he was an individual who made our recreation nice, significantly in WA within the time when state league soccer was the head of the sport.

“He can be deeply missed by all and we are going to honour his reminiscence on the forthcoming Corridor of Fame inductions on June 18, as one of many best coaches within the historical past of soccer.”

West Coast CEO Don Pyke additionally paid tribute.

“John Todd was a key determine in making us the membership that we’re as we speak,” Pyke mentioned.

“He was one of many membership’s pioneers working with no real house base and with a spread of different obstacles in his path.

“He’s a legend of the sport and as a membership we’re extraordinarily grateful for his contribution.

“On behalf of everybody on the membership, I provide our deepest condolences to John’s household, pals and family members.”

South Fremantle president Peter Christie known as Todd “a legend in each sense of the world”.

He added he was “comfortably essentially the most gifted participant in our historical past” talking on .

The Dockers additionally paid tribute, writing on X: “The Fremantle Soccer Membership conveys its deepest sympathies to the household and pals of WA soccer nice John Todd, following the passing of the South Fremantle footballing legend on Monday.”

WA Premier Roger Prepare dinner tweeted: “A Sandover medallist in his debut WAFL season at simply 17, John Todd left an indelible mark as a participant.

“Harm might have lower brief his enjoying profession nevertheless it couldn’t cease his ardour for soccer – he advanced into one of many best coaches our recreation has ever seen.

“Whoever you barrack for, Western Australians know the title John Todd.

“It’s a title that’s synonymous with WA soccer. Vale John.”

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas posted: “Very saddened to listen to of the passing of John Todd.

“After I grew up John Todd was the massively profitable coach of Swan Districts … after which the second coach of the West Coast Eagles.

“As I received older his deeds as a participant turned extra obvious, a Sandover Medal at 17 – are you able to imagine it? And the knee accidents which might have compelled others to retire, however not Toddy.

“Then the unimaginable teaching report at a number of ranges and plenty of golf equipment and for WA. After I made my league debut for West Perth in 1990 – we performed Swans at Bassendean, Toddy was again there as coach. It made the event really feel much more important … to be enjoying in opposition to a John Todd staff.

“He had his run-ins with Dennis and with West Perth, however as he received older, he mellowed and as a broadcaster and journo I had the chance to get to know the softer facet of him. He beloved soccer, he cared about it and he was an enormous of the sport.

“One of many absolute titans of the sport in Western Australia. He was feared and revered however he made us all stroll taller as WA footy supporters.

“Relaxation in peace Toddy, thanks for the reminiscences and the unimaginable contribution.”

Sports activities reporter and former Olympian Ashleigh Nelson commented: “Honouring the adorned @WAFLOfficial legend John Todd. @SFFCBulldogs and @SwanDistrictsFC fittingly to contend for the John Todd Cup of their subsequent outing.”