Five-time Port Adelaide premiership player David Hutton returns to Alberton, helping to keep club heroes in the fold

Five-time Port Adelaide premiership player David Hutton is back at the club to help it re-engage past heroes. And he has helped to ensure club greats will be at Port’s first huge event of the year.

Port Adelaide ruckman Scott Lycett and five-time Magpies premiership player David Hutton, who is now back working at the club, ahead of Port’s 150th gala dinner on Friday night. Picture: AAP/Kelly Barnes

• ‘I still message him’: Lycett’s emotional tribute to mate
• How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription

One of Port Adelaide’s aims during its 150th anniversary season this year is to bring its community together.

That also happens to be a major task for David Hutton is his new role at the club as stakeholder relations manager.

Hutton, a five-time Port premiership player who became the Magpies’ chief executive and Power’s development manager, returned to Alberton this month after 12 years away.

He had been head of community engagement at the SANFL, Sammy D Foundation’s general manager then Rowing SA’s chief executive before Port asked him to fill a new position ahead of its milestone season.

David Hutton has returned to Port Adelaide – 12 years after leaving the club. He is pictured at Alberton with Power ruckman Scott Lycett. Picture: AAP/Kelly Barnes

As soon as he began, the club gave Hutton access to a database of more than 2000 Port names, including life members, past players, directors, coaches and volunteers, and he started making calls.

“Some we’ve got good contact with, others are disengaged, so I’ve got to bring them all back in, particularly using the 150-year celebrations and events we’ve got this year,” Hutton told The Advertiser.

“I’m making sure we’re engaging properly with them and making them really feel part of the club.

Watch every match of every round of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE & On-Demand with KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

“We’re using this year as a line in the sand – we’ve got to do this better.”

Old emails and phone numbers were among the club database but Hutton said he was starting to make headway with help from other past players.

He expected “about three quarters” of the Power’s 2004 premiership side, including coach Mark Williams, as well as former captain Matthew Primus to be at the club’s first big event of the year – its 150th gala dinner at Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday.

David Hutton, pictured during his 159-game SANFL career. Picture: Mark Brake

Hutton is also working with the club’s events and marketing teams to ensure past players come to more matches.

Much of his focus has centred on the Showdown on March 28, when Port will wear its prison-bar guernsey, and also its “birthday game” against Carlton on May 2.

But Hutton also hoped to get former players who live interstate to away clashes, starting with Queensland-based ex-Magpies on the Gold Coast for Round 1.

Another aspect of Hutton’s role is working with coterie groups and on one of Port’s key history projects, incorporating an interactive museum into the clubrooms’ redevelopment.

“To be coming back and using my knowledge and history and networks in the club to be able to make a difference, it feels like a good fit,” he said.

Originally published as Five-time Port Adelaide premiership player David Hutton returns to Alberton, helping to keep club heroes in the fold