AN UMPIRE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR?

Hi Phil, my name is Noel McDonald (ex VFA field umpire during the 80's, my career lasting approx 100 senior games plus a couple of years in the VFL). I recall umpiring your good self and Coburg when you were coaching.

You probably don't recall myself being the unobtrusive lot umpies were, however I certainly remember the free advice you occasionally gave me !!
I just caught up with your web site and found it very enjoyable. Being a McDonald my routes also lie back in Ireland or Scotland.

A couple stories that might be of interest. I read your story on the day Harold entered the umpires room after the match for some 'debriefing'. I was one the field umpires that day and I recall having a beer with you after the match. From memory it was a muddy Box Hill oval that day and Coburg got home so you were happy.

The Box Hill (& Camberwell) grounds were in shocking condition that year, like Irish stew's. I thought we umpired fairly good that day given the congestive muddy conditions, we might have decided to look after the man in front given the conditions, maybe Harold forgot the golden rule on muddy days back in those days ... get in front.

Any way at the tribunal, Harold claimed the emergency umpire gave him the "bird" through the little reinforced window (while he was banging his fists against the "wire reinforced" window and offering feedback about our performance). He claimed this provocation lead him to enter the rooms ( not our fantastic umpiring performance?).

I stood between Harold and the emergency umpire, knees trembling shiteing myself while the poor Box Hill trainer was bear hugging Harold.

The other story is I umpired the then VFA highest score match between Williamstown (playing coach Terry Wheeler) and Camberwell (coach Sam keckovich) at the small Camberwell ground with Frank Vergona. I'm not sure if the record has been broken since, however I think Willy kicked about 60+ goals to about 1. My bouncing back was never the same. Willy had a great side that day. They were so hot, at half time they sat underneath a big tree on the hill near the scoreboard.

I also umpired "Jacko" at Brunswick on his first (and only) VFA match, I think he lasted about 10 minutes before being reported. It was a top day and I remember Jacko living the ground for the mandatory 10 or 15 minute rest waving his jumper in the air as he was walking off.

I also remember a match at Coburg vs Willy and Coburg (you were non playing coach) had a solid first half against the more fancied Terry Wheeler lead Williamstown. At half time, we could hear Terry "berating" his team from 30 metre away. Plenty of Fish and Chips type words. They came out and eventually beat Coburg fairly easy.

Keep well

Noel.