Tasmanian football icon and St Kilda premiership player John Bingley remembered after death on January 14

A St KIlda premiership player who was a great of Tasmanian football has been remembered following his death earlier this week.

John Bingley celebrates winning the 1966 VFL Grand Final for St Kilda. Picture: Supplied.

John Bingley’s career at St Kilda stretched to just eight senior games but the Tasmanian football great, who died on January 14, will forever be a favourite of the Saints’ faithful for his starring role in the club’s first – and only – premiership.

And Bingley is being further remembered for his impact on Tasmanian football, with the hard-nosed player-coach held as a giant of the Clarence Football Club for guiding the Roos to its maiden premiership in 1970.

A loving husband to Pamela (nee Middleton) and father to three sons – Scott, Darren and Michael, Bingley passed away on January 14 after a short health battle. He was 83.

Umpire Jeff Crouch stands between John Bingley and Des Tuddenham. Copy picture. 1966 Grand Final. St Kilda v Collingwood. MCG.

“He was a hard man but he wouldn’t ask anyone to do what he wouldn’t do himself,” his son Michael said.

“Dad was a wonderful Tasmanian footballer who got the best out of himself and worked so hard. His career speaks for itself and just seeing the outpouring of memories and support for Dad since his passing has been enormous.

“We love and respect him and he is going to be missed.”

Born in Launceston on November 10, 1940, Bingley would play in two premierships for the former City South Football Club before making the move to East Devonport for the 1962 and 1963 seasons.

Bingley then relocated to Melbourne to play for the Saints.

His time at St Kilda was marred by injuries and clearance issues, after Glenorchy refused to clear him following a verbal agreement to take the reigns as coach.

After playing two senior games in 1965, Bingley showed strong enough form in his return through the reserves the following year to be recalled to the side for the Preliminary Final.

Not even a corked thigh in his comeback could stop the tough Tasmanian renowned for his wet weather football from being selected for the grand final for one reason: Stopping Des Tuddenham.

Scott Bingley (left), Michael Bingley (top) and Darren Bingley (right) with their father John Bingley (middle). Picture: Supplied.

Despite the Collingwood livewire kicking an early second-half goal, Bingley was able to do just that with his selfless role on grand final day helping deliver St Kilda it’s finest day in football.

While it was a VFL career spanning just three years, Bingley’s legacy at Moorabbin is one that can’t be measured by his eight senior games.

He returned to Hobart thanks to an offer to become playing coach at Clarence and this is where Michael Bingley holds his greatest memories of his late father.

“When Dad was coaching at Clarence, they were some of the happiest times of my life,” he said.

“I can assure Hobart people that Dad has always said that period of his football career meant so much to him. To be the coach of Clarence’s first premiership in 1970, and the way the Eastern Shore community got around Dad and the support our family had from the moment we arrived in 1967, was so special.”

Bingley would spend six seasons at the Roos with the club fondly remembering his impact earlier this week.

“The Roos will never forget John Bingley,” a social media post read.

“We will always respect and admire him for taking us to our first ever TANFL senior premiership.

“Only one man in our history can carry the mantle of our first premiership captain and coach, and that is John Bingley.”

Clarence's 1970 TFL Premiership side that was coached by John Bingley (third from left in front row). Picture: Supplied.

Bingley would battle through the removal of a spinal tumour in the years following his retirement but his strong determination would also see him build a hugely successful sports merchandise business which reached an annual turnover of $50m.

As for his own career, the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame member summed it up as only he could.

“It was a tough time,” Bingley was reported as saying on the St Kilda official website.

“I was bloody lucky, I am absolutely proud of the fact that I played with St Kilda and played in a premiership side.”

And for Michael, one thing he will miss the most is talking with his Dad about the game they both loved.

“I loved talking footy with him, hearing about his memories, and I will miss that.”

Originally published as Tasmanian football icon and St Kilda premiership player John Bingley remembered after death on January 14