September 5th. A little about Foster Neil Williams (1922-2001) If you are more than just a supporter of your club, but in fact a supporter of FOOTBALL, and perhaps an individual that can respect and appreciate your opposition, when it is earnt, then keep reading. If not, feel free to move on to the next post. (pause) Ok, if you are still here then I salute you and what you stand for. I just want to pay a mark of respect to the absolute heart and soul of not only the Port Adelaide Football Club, but in fact the SANFL and its long and proud history as a whole. Fos' contribution to football in South Australia is unsurpassed. I know that probably sounds very distant and hollow over in Melbourne, but please permit me to relate to you a little of that contribution. The one thing which Fos did which means as much to me as all the premierships and wonderful times, is to write the creed of the club. It always fills me with pride and awe, and causes a little misting of the ocular faculties. It is: “We, the Players and Management of the Port Adelaide Football Club, accept the heritage which players and administrators have passed down to us; in so doing we do not intend to rest in idleness but shall strive with all our power to further this Club’s unexcelled achievements. "To do this we believe there is great merit and noble achievements in winning a premiership. "To be successful, each of us must be active, aggressive and devoted to this cause. We agree that success is well within our reach and have confidence that each member of both the team and management will suffer personal sacrifices for the common end. "Also we know that, should we after striving to our utmost and giving our everything, still not be successful, our efforts will become a further part of this Club’s enviable tradition. "Finally, we concede that there can be honour in defeat, but to each of us, honourable defeat of our Club and guernsey can come only after human endeavour on the playing field is completely exhausted." - Foster Neil Williams, 1962. Fos was, along with Jack Oatey, the greatest coach the state has ever seen, and was also an inspirational player. He has been the Patriarch of the PAFC for many many years, and leaves us a great legacy in his son Mark Williams (coach of the Power), and Stephen Williams (coach of the Port Magpies). Thanks Fos, you meant an enormous amount to me, and you continue to be with the players as they stride into battle. FOSTER NEIL WILLIAM'S FOOTBALL RECORD: PLAYING RECORD: Guernsey number at Port Adelaide: 1 Played: 239 – 54 matches with West Adelaide from 1946 – 1949; - 151 matches with Port Adelaide as captain-coach from 1950-58; - 34 interstate matches with South Australia, the last 15 as captain. SANFL debut: July 20, 1946, with West Adelaide against Glenelg at Adelaide Oval. Goals: 412 (112 with West Adelaide, 240 with Port Adelaide and 60 with South Australia). State games: 34 with South Australia. State Goals: 60 for South Australia. State game debut: August 2, 1947, with South Australia against Western Australia at North Hobart Oval in Australian carnival. Premierships: (as player) 1947 at West Adelaide; 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 at Port Adelaide; (as coach) 1962, 1963, 1965 at Port Adelaide. ACHIEVEMENTS AND HONOURS: * Order of Australia Medal for services to Australian football, 1981. * Inaugural member of Australian Football Hall of Fame, 1996. * Port Adelaide best-and-fairest, 1950 and 1955. * Port Adelaide leading goalkicker, 1950 (40 goals), 1951 (35 goals) and 1955 (35 goals). * Premiership player at West Adelaide (1947) and Port Adelaide (1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958). * Simpson Medal as best player in SA-WA State game at Subiaco in 1955. * Record five appearances in South Australian carnival teams (1947 in Hobart, 1950 at Brisbane, 1953 at Adelaide, 1956 at Perth and 1958 at Melbourne). * Advertiser Player of the Year, 1950 and 1955; 5AD Footballer of the Year, 1958. * Port Adelaide life member. * SANFL life member. * Port Adelaide Football Club (AFL) inaugural No.1 ticketholder. * Inaugural inductee to Port Adelaide Hall of Fame. COACHING RECORD: Coached: Port Adelaide as playing captain-coach from 1950 to 1958 (180 matches with 145-34-1 win-loss-draw record); - South Adelaide as non-playing coach in 1960 (18 matches, 3-15); - Port Adelaide as non-playing coach from 1962-1973 (267 matches, 188-78-1); - West Adelaide as non-playing coach from 1974—1978 (109 matches 42-66-1). Coaching debut: April 22, 1950, with Port Adelaide against Glenelg at Alberton Oval.