John Bell (Club Secretary 1992 – 1996 & 1998)

The club was saddened to learn of the recent death of John “Belly” Bell. Belly was a part of the furniture at the Old Scotch Football Club – a real club stalwart – lending his support in a myriad of capacities since 1990.

John, an old boy of Scotch College who left in 1960, joined the Old Scotch Collegians Football Club in 1990 to manager our Under 19s team, after having first having managed teams for Bulleen Templestowe Football Club.  In 1991, he managed our Seniors & Reserves teams and joined the club’s general committee.  In 1992, he first served as the twenty-eighth Secretary of the Old Scotch Collegians Football Club for five years from 1992 – 1996 & 1998.  From 1993 – 1996, he continued to manage our Under 19s team.  From 1994 – 1996, John also acted as the club’s Registration Secretary.  In 1998, he again served as club Secretary, after having acting as the club’s delegate to the VAFA for six years from 1992 – 1996 & 1998, before then joining the VAFA Executive from 1999 – 2008, and becoming their Vice President from 2003 – 2008.

In 2008, John was awarded an OSCA Certificate of Merit.  In 2009, the VAFA awarded John with Life Membership.

In recent years, John acted as timekeeper for Old Scotch teams playing at home at the Camberwell Sportsground.  John was also a major researcher into the history of the club for the recently published Fighting for the Cardinal, Gold and Blue Centenary history book.

The club extends its condolences to the entire Bell family and Saturday’s won’t quite be the same without him. All teams will be wearing black armbands to honour Belly this weekend.

Tim Shearer
OSFC President