The footy community to farewell the late Geoff McLure

A local footy servant has been remembered for his dedication to helping young players, and a positive attitude in the face of adversity and a long term health battle.

The late Geoff McLure and his wife Cynthia in 2009.

A successful footy career, a dedication to helping young people, a robust work ethic and watching his son follow in his footsteps.

There were plenty of things which gave the late Geoff McLure a sense of pride during his 83 years.

The former East Geelong and Bell Post Hill servant died on July 6 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

On Thursday, his proud son Nathan told this masthead his father almost had two footballing lives but was a staunch promoter of the GDFNL.

The medal for the best player in the reserves grand final was named in his honour.

However, it was a period as an under-18s coach in the 1980s which really brought his ability to connect with people into sharp focus.

The key to his father’s success as a junior mentor at Bell Post Hill was an ability to not judge, regardless of the players’ ability or background — collecting some young footballers up from their homes for games or training if needed.

The late Geoff McLure was a revered figure at East Geelong and Bell Post Hill football clubs. Picture: Nathan McLure.

“He didn’t judge anyone, he just listened to people,” Nathan said of his father on Thursday.

“I coached footy myself and I probably learned a lot from him by the fact that, you could be going down the wrong path, you wouldn’t be the best footballer or the best person, but he always had time for you.

“If you were in trouble, he wouldn’t judge you.

“He got that respect from kids.

Phil Clohesy, Peter Cullen and McLure at the Ash medal.

“It wasn’t just about footy, it was their schooling or their home life.

“He’d go out of his way to pick them up, he just helped them in life.”

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree, with Nathan stepping into coaching and later becoming a life member at the Panthers, just like his dad.

Nathan sought to replicate his father’s knack for good and clear communication when it came to all matters footy, and Geoff was particularly proud of his children strengthening the family ties with the Panthers.

Nathan McLure with his father Geoff with the 2017 GDFNL reserves premiership. Picture: Nathan McLure.

The father of three’s footy journey began at the Eagles, where he forged lifelong friendships, played in 211 games and was a club hall of famer: “He loved East Geelong. The memories he had growing up with (champion player) Neville Whitley and a few others, he treasured them.”

However, he would later join the Panthers, serving as a captain, reserves coach, administrator and a popular under-18s mentor.

“One of his proudest moments was when I coached Bell Post Hill to a few premierships along the way,” he said.

He and his father would also share the same attitude towards acceptance of life’s challenges and darker moments.

“It will be what it will be, we can’t change it,” Nathan recalled.

“It’s something that’s stayed with me.”

Geoff and Mary Caine in 2006.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s more than 20 years ago, Nathan recalled his father’s stoic handling of the diagnosis.

“He called it ‘The Beast’,” he said.

“He did some incredible things, he did everything you could to keep moving and keep the body going.

“He was so determined. Unfortunately the will and the body gave up in the end.”

Away from football, Geoff loved his golf, playing pool, going on holidays to Ocean Grove and Lorne and he absolutely adored his seven grandchildren.

Then there was his incredible work ethic, spending more than 25 years dedicated to Ford.

“He loved work ... he had to be made to retire, really,” Nathan remembered.

Nathan was determined to look on the bright side of a life well lived with “so many stories” to share, like the time Geoff thought there was a bulldog on the roof of the family home.

“It was actually a koala,” he said.

“It was hissing and what not, we had a chuckle about that quite regularly.”

Nathan said the family had been overwhelmed by messages from people who had connected with his late dad over the years: “He touched a few people, the old boy, he might be loving the limelight at the moment, who knows.”

Geoff McLure’s funeral will be held at Barrabool Hills on July 16 at 2pm.

He is survived by his wife Cynthia, children Mandy, Catrina and Nathan, sister Wendy and brothers Daryl, Rod and Steve.

Originally published as The footy community to farewell the late Geoff McLure