Gold Coast cricket and football community mourning the death of Palm Beach Cricket Club life member Les Ferguson

An ‘iconic’ Gold Coast sports figure has left a legacy that includes one of the state’s top awards being named after him while AFL Queensland has moved to pay tribute to him after his shock death.

Late Palm Beach Currumbin sports figure Les Ferguson with wife Eunice. Picture: Supplied.

• ● FATHER AND THEN SON: FAMILY LOSES TWO TO SHOCK DEATHS
• ‘WHAT A DISGRACE’: COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND BASHING VICTIM

Friends and neighbours of the late Les Ferguson have taken to social media to share their favourite memories of an iconic Coast sporting figure dubbed the unofficial ‘Mayor’ of Palm Beach sport.

The 76-year-old died suddenly over the weekend, prompting those around him to reflect on the impact the former primary teacher had on their community on the southern Coast.

“So sorry to see this news,” Scott Brown said.

“For many years I had the pleasure of a daily chat with him whilst walking the dog around Merv Craig Oval on Galleon Way.

“He would get down off his roller on the cricket pitch to throw the ball for my border collie.

“A true gentleman ... RIP Les and condolences to his family and friends.”

Neighbour Tom Moodie had known Ferguson his entire life.

“Les lived overthe road from me my whole life,” he said.

“Would always wave when walking or driving past and would always stop for a chat.

“Was also a teacher aide at Palmy primary for a while. A true Palmy local.”

PHOTO GALLERY: Premier Invitational week two

Several others chose the same words to summarise Ferguson’s character, labelling him a “legend”.

Neighbour Dave Watson described Fergus as a “legend of a man.”

“Always had time for a chat,” he reflected.

“Will be very missed in the street. Thoughts are with Eunice (his wife) and the family.”

Late Palm Beach Currumbin sports figure Les Ferguson with wife Eunice. Picture: Supplied.

“Les was a legend at PBCC,” Meredith Siegmann said.

“Indeed another legend lost from the area,” commented Peter McIntosh.

Ybles Eisxuos expressed her disbelief at Ferguson’s passing.

“Oh my god,” she said.

“Recently caught up with him, he was an absolute legend and the loveliest person.

“Very sad to to hear. RIP”

Karlee Walker said Ferguson’s annual lights and decorations were a Christmas highlight every year.

“RIP Les, you will be so missed in the street,” she said.

“You 100 per cent made Christmas with your lights.”

Vale.

EARLIER:

AFL Queensland has paid tribute to late Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Rules figure Les Ferguson following his shock death.

“On behalf of AFL Queensland, we send our love and support to the Ferguson family, the Palm Beach Currumbin Football Club and the wider AFL Gold Coast football community, following the passing of Les Ferguson,” Head of AFL Queensland, Trisha Squires, said.

“Les and his wife Eunice are stalwarts of Gold Coast football and have made outstanding contributions to our game, in particular in the junior and youth space.

“One of our QFA Colts Best and Fairest medals is named after the pair, and Les’ legacy on football in Queensland will forever be remembered and treasured.

“Our deepest condolences to Eunice and their four sons Wayne, Michael, Paul, Lyall and their families at this very sad time.”

EARLIER:

FIGURES close to the late Les Ferguson have paid tribute to the man labelled as the mayor of sport in Palm Beach.

The Palm Beach Currumbin Cricket Club life member and influential figure at Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Rules Football Club died at the age of 76 over the weekend, shocking the large membership group from both clubs.

Ryan Kettle, 40, arrived at PBC Cricket Club as a 9-year-old where he was immediately taken under the wing of his first coach in Ferguson and spent the past 31 years working closely with him.

“When it comes to sport in Palm Beach, he was the mayor of it for sure,” Kettle said.

“He was the heart and soul of it, particularly of the junior cricket for over 35 years.

“What he said went. He was the man to go to for any information.

“As a coach he was so knowledgeable when it came to cricket. He was old school and a very technical coach. He had the respect of everyone and that makes a huge difference because no one ever questioned him. They just wanted to listen.

“Even when he and his wife Eunice stepped back from things in the last couple of years he was still around.

“He was one of those once in a 100-type people. You won’t get another person who will do anywhere near as much for the club.”

Even after his death, Eunice returned to the PBC Australia Rules Club on Saturday to help organise the junior players.

For PBC Cricket Club secretary and senior coordinator Riley Coulson, Ferguson was the first face he came to know when he arrived at the club 20 years ago

“I remember him as one of the funniest blokes going around,” Coulson said.

“He had so many good one-liners and always got a smile out of the boys.

“The work him and Eunice did over decades is crazy. We now have a committee of six or seven people who to do job they did by themselves.

“It’s a very sad thing that has happened. Everyone is pretty cut up.”

EARLIER

THE Gold Coast cricket community is mourning the death of influential figure and Palm Beach Currumbin life member Les Ferguson.

PBC Cricket Club paid tribute to the “iconic figure” who had a major impact on cricket across the South East Queensland.

“It is with great sadness that we advise you of the passing of Life Member Les Ferguson,” the statement read.

“A Life Member of Cricket Gold Coast, he played a major role in all levels of cricket over many decades in many different capacities.

“He and wife Eunice also a Club Life Member along with the Ferguson name are synonymous with everything PBC.

“More details will follow regarding Les’ achievements with cricket along with Les & Eunice’s love and dedication to PBC AFL club.

“Our deepest condolences to Eunice and their four sons who played many years for our club in junior and senior cricket.

“The families of Wayne & Cathy, Michael & Larissa, Paul & Kate and Lyall.

“Further details will follow with Les’ achievements and his funeral arrangements. RIP Les.”