Former Crows captain Mark Ricciuto’s father Murray dies

The Adelaide Football Club is mourning the death of its former captain Mark Ricciuto’s father Murray.

Former Crows captain Mark Ricciuto’s father Murray has died.

Adelaide Football Club announced Mr Ricciuto’s death on its Facebook page.

“Our thoughts are with the Ricciuto family following the passing of Murray,” the club said in the post.

“The Crows family sends its condolences.”

Footballer Mark Ricciuto wearing the Brownlow Medal with his parents Carolyn and Murray at the Alma Tavern in Norwood in 2003.

Murray Ricciuto, the father of former Crows captain Mark Ricciuto, has passed away. Picture: Adelaide Football Club/Facebook

Murray Ricciuto was a well-known figure in the Riverland community, born and raised with his five sisters at Waikerie, where he and his wife Carolyn later took over the family vineyard and fruit orchard, and where their own son Mark was born in 1975.

Mark Ricciuto missed the Crows’ 1997 premiership due to a late season injury, but in 1998 went on to be named an All Australian, win the club’s best and fairest and play in his only premiership.

He was appointed Adelaide captain from 2001 until his retirement in 2007, and won the Brownlow Medal in 2003.

More than 500 followers have already expressed their condolences on the Crows’ Facebook post.

The Eyre Peninsula Crows Supporter Group also expressed its sympathy on Facebook, with a post which said “Wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow, comfort in the midst of pain”.

“On behalf of all the members of the Eyre Peninsula Crows Supporter Group we send our condolences to AFC board member and past club captain Mark Ricciuto and family on the loss of their loving, devoted father.”

Mark Ricciuto is currently the Crows’ football director and a member of the club’s board, as well as an announcer for Triple M and Fox Footy, and part owner of the Alma Tavern, Hackney Hotel and Aruma River Resort.