SA’s cricket superfan Jim Congdon makes brave pitch for Shield history

He’s known as “Redback Jim’’ – and now this cricket superfan has vowed to get a victory tattoo if SA can beat Queensland and claim its first Sheffield Shield title in 29 years.

South Australian cricket superfan Jim Congdon has vowed to get a Sheffield Shield victory tattoo inked on his body if the state men’s team can create history this week by pulling off a historic One-Day Cup/Shield double.

A self-confessed “cricket nuffy’ who has been nicknamed “Redback Jim’’, Congdon already sports a Redbacks tattoo on his right calf and said he would “double up’’ if SA can snap a 29-year Sheffield Shield title drought by beating Queensland in the final, which starts at Karen Rolton Oval on Wednesday.

“I would definitely get a Shield premiers tattoo and hopefully a Jake Lehmann signature tattoo as well because he’s my favourite player,’’ said Congdon, who will drive from his home town of Port Pirie to attend all five days of the do-or-die match.

Jim Congdon (right) with fellow SA cricket superfan Lachlan McAuliffe at Karen Rolton Oval. Picture: Ben Clark

While the legendary Barry “Nugget’’ Rees is SA’s team mascot and a beloved figure in Australian cricket, Congdon is just as passionate about the state team and has arguably the biggest fan collection of local cricket shirts in the world.

Along with good mate and fellow SA cricket superfan Lachlan McAuliffe, the 44-year-old

Congdon has more than 150 playing shirts, jumpers, jackets and pants in his collection – many of which have been gifted to him by players over the years, while he also scans eBay for memorabilia.

Jim’s existing leg tattoo – he’s planning a second one if the Redbacks triumph in the final. Picture: Ben Clark

Prized items include playing shirts sporting famous SA cricket names such as Lehmann, Nobes, Gillespie, Ferguson, McIntyre, Scuderi and Wellington.

Congdon also has a Redbacks (the team’s former logo) batting helmet – gifted to him by a player he did not want named – tucked away at home.

“I just love state cricket, to me it’s the purest form of cricket,’’ Congdon said of his unbridled enthusiasm for the SA team.

Congdon’s passion started from a visit by SA players, including 1995-96 Sheffield Shield winners Paul Nobes (one of his long-time favourites) and Shane George, to Port Pirie in the late 1980s.

“I remember sitting in the grandstand watching them and thinking it was pretty cool,’’ he said.

“I was pretty much hooked from then on.’’

Congdon’s dad, Greg, is a local cricket legend in Port Pirie while his 12-year-old daughter, Zali, has followed his passion for the sport.

Jim Congdon (right) and Lachlan McAuliffe with a collection of their cricket shirts. Picture: Ben Clark

With SA being starved of success for so long, Congdon and McAuliffe were almost brought to tears when the team claimed its first One-Day Cup in 13 years earlier this month.

The victory was particularly sweet for McAuliffe, 52, who has battled cancer in recent years but is now in remission.

“Our support for SA cricket is unconditional but there was a time when Lachy didn’t think he’d see SA win another title, so it was pretty emotional for both of us,’’ said Congdon, who after the final pulled out his red victory jacket to celebrate.

“Lachy is a huge Ben Manenti (SA all-rounder) fan and loves how he plays with a bit of mongrel and during his chemo he made comments about having the same sort of mongrel to fight the cancer, which worked for him.’’

Now the pair are hoping to witness SA win the double for the first time.

“We’re just ecstatic that the team has made the Shield final because coach Ryan Harris and the players have put in so much hard work to get there but to win it would be magical,’’ Congdon said.

Originally published as SA’s cricket superfan Jim Congdon makes brave pitch for Shield history