Inverleigh pay tribute to late football trainer Peter Lomas in 28-point win over Thomson

Inverleigh Football Netball Club are mourning one of their own after the passing of a beloved trainer, with the Hawks honouring the man known as ‘Pistol’ with an emotional round 8 win.

Inverleigh FNC paid tribute to trainer Peter Lomas, who passed away Friday. Picture: Inverleigh FNC

Inverleigh paid tribute to beloved trainer Peter Lomas, with its senior footballers pulling off a stirring 28-point win over reigning premier Thomson.

The Hawks wore black armbands during Saturday’s home clash in honour of the dedicated trainer and volunteer, who passed away Friday surrounded by family.

Announcing Lomas’ sudden passing via Facebook just hours before Saturday’s match, the man known as ‘Pistol’ was described as “often the first to arrive and last to leave”, and “could always be relied upon to show up and give the players the best chance to get on the field”.

Joining the club in 2016, Lomas had trained both the Hawks’ senior and reserves teams, before dedicating time to the club’s U18 and U16 programs in recent seasons.

Club president Wayne McMeekin said it was an emotional day, as Hawk David Peel lifted the club to a fitting seniors win for Lomas with a three-goal best-on-ground effort.

McMeekin also thanked the many in Thomson’s camp who also paid tribute to the late trainer, in what was testament to Lomas’ impact both at the Hawks and across the wider football community – Lomas tied with several clubs over the years including Forrest.

The news of Lomas’ passing sparked an outpouring of tributes on social media, Hawks vice president David Haste writing Lomas’ “loyalty, sense of humour and bluster” would be sorely missed, while ex-Hawks star Adam Donohue wrote “RIP Pistol”.

Several clubs across the Geelong & District league also offered their condolences, including North Geelong and Bannockburn club presidents Darren Vandenberg and Scott Penning and Corio football director Lynda Bennett.

Bennett called Lomas a “beautiful man who will be missed by so many” while Penning said “may he rest in peace and know, that everyone is thinking of him”.

Inverleigh Cricket Club paid tribute to Lomas on Sunday, describing him as one of “our most consistent supporters”.

Originally published as Inverleigh pay tribute to late football trainer Peter Lomas in 28-point win over Thomson