Mt Lofty District Football Club would like to thank Ian Deans and welcome Ian Deans, who is a Life Member of the Mt Lofty District Football Club and did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member Coin for the 2026 HFL Round 3 match against Uraidla. A round particularly specially being falling on ANZAC Day. Ian was joined by his wife Mary, his two brothers Bruce and Harry Deans with their wives Dianne and Lynda.
The Deans Family were extremely proud to be asked to toss the coin for this ANZAC Day match. This is especially significant, as their parents Frank and Joan, were involved in World War 2. Frank was a Northern Territory Policeman who joined up and saw action in the Malayan Peninsula and the Battle of Singapore. He was captured and imprisoned in Changi for 3 years. Their mother, Joan, was an English woman serving as a Nursing sister on the English Hospital ships throughout the war. Frank and Joan met after the war and married, however due to the terrible deprivation Frank suffered in Changi prison, he endured ill health and died suddenly, leaving Joan with 6 children. The Deans became a Legacy Family, and to this day, are grateful for the support Legacy gave to our mother and our family.
The five boys of the Deans family, Bruce, Harry, Jim, Ian and Tom, have all been involved with, and played in, Aldgate & Heathfield United Football club. This ultimately became the Mt Lofty & District Football Club that we know today. During this time with the Club the Deans brothers have played in a total of 17 Premierships. One in particular stands out, when Harry Deans kicked the winning goal after the final siren to win the 1986 A Grade Grand final. Harry was subsequently presented with the “Golden Boot” which the club still has, and is displayed in the clubrooms. Tom Deans, was the Mt Lofty & District Football Club A Grade Best & Fairest on two occasions.
On behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty, we thank you sincerely for all you have done for the club.
PHOTO ON DAY Back row: Greg Bond, Mt Lofty President, Renae Deans, Mt Lofty Life Member Ian Deans, Daniel Deans, Paul Deans, Seb Deans, Bruce Deans, Diane Deans, Steve Dunning, Haydn O’Shaghnessy, Trevor Ranford. Front row with Harry Deans: Lynda Deans, Laura Deans and Mary DeansPHOTO ON DAY United Premiership Players from the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Don Lobban (official), David Evans, Trevor Ranford, Ian Deans, Haydn O’Shaughnessy, Bruce Deans, Steven Dunning and Harry Deans.PHOTO ON DAY L to R Diane Deans, Laura Deans and Lynda Deans2019 – The Deans Family – Harry, Lynda, Bruce, Diane, Ian and Mary2015 Harry & Ian Deans2015 Ian Deans and Jill Dawes
We would like to thank Lew Malzard who did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for the match against Lobethal on Saturday 11 April 2026. Lew was joined by his son Jonathan and grandson Lucas.
Lew was a passionate player, member and supporter playing in many premierships over a long period of time. He spent some time at Sturt Football Club but his first love was always Heathfield FC.
Living in Eden hills he commuted to Heathfield by train each week to train and play on the rough oval in the middle of the skyline raceway where Heathfield High School stands today. Lew regularly stayed overnight with the Strazdins family and very close friendships were formed, spending hours on Sunday mornings clearing rocks and debris to create the oval we play on today.
The formation of the Heathfield Aldgate United Football Club saw the team enter the Hills Central Zone in 1967. Unfortunately, Lew missed this premiership as he was in hospital recovering from a car accident. But before long, the hospital room door burst open, with teammates raising the Premiership cup high with many cheers!
Lew played in the 1961 Under 16 premiership for Heathfield, followed by the 1962 first senior premiership in the Sturt District Football League. In 1971, with Coach Warren “Sherg” Foster at the helm, then began the dynasty of a long period of success with 88 games without a loss. Lew also played in the last B grade Premiership with Heathfield Aldgate United in 1978 before the club amalgamated with Stirling in 1979 to become the Mt Lofty District Football Club. He was a staunch club committee member and along with his wife Elizabeth, a foundation member of the sports club.
Lew was proudly awarded Life Membership prior to Mt Lofty entering SAFA, and eventually retired and took up umpiring. Unfortunately, an achilles injury ended his field umpiring career, however after moving to the Fleurieu Peninsula, Lew took up Goal Umpiring at A grade level in the Great Southern Football League with his now local Club Encounter Bay.
Lew is proud of his association with this club and it has been a pleasure to connect with so many over a lifetime. He wishes everyone associated with Hills Football an enjoyable 2026 and his hope to see Mt Lofty get the win on the day came to fruition against the 2025 runner up!
On behalf of everybody at Mt MLDFC, we thank you sincerely for all you have done for the club.
Lew doing us the honour of performing the Life Member Coin Toss. Mt Lofty won the Toss, Mt Lofty Captain Tyson Hone elected to kick uphill first and we won the match.L-R Son Jonathan, Lew Malzard, Grandson LucasL-R President Greg Bond, Lew Malzard, A Grade Coach Michael Bawden, Lofty Legends Convenor and Head Trainer Nikki Moore
Very sad news to hear of the passing of Cliff “Chappy” Chaplin on Wednesday 7th January 2026, just shy of 101 years. Having resided in Hahndorf Nursing Home, Chappy became unwell and was transferred to Mt Barker Hospital where he passed with Mabel by his side.
Chappy was a significant part of Mt Lofty Football Club’s heritage, commencing his playing days with Stirling, becoming a foundation member of the Heathfield Football Club and later Heathfield Aldgate United where his incredible dedication to the clubs’ and the Heathfield community were recognised with Life Membership of Heathfield Aldgate United in 1975. HAU was an amazing Football Club and Chappy did so much to build the culture of the club. Volunteering for many roles including Goal Umpire and Trainer, we will never forget the amazing Scurvy Pirates and the Heathfield Heartthrobs created by Chappy. A fair dinkum Aussie who proudly served his country in the Navy in the Second World War, he really brought some of the fun songs to life with the A grade teams over the years at the annual presentation. He could never have done it so well without Mabel’s talented accompaniment on piano. Chappys contribution along with Mabel as a dedicated volunteer, their son Barry as a 6 time Premiership player across the grades and daughter Dianne one of the passionate supporters, they were one of many families of that era to all contribute enormously towards the club we proudly call Mt Lofty today.
We also have a story about Mabel over the last few weeks! She still resides at the family home and was on respite in Hahndorf Nursing Home during the Christmas/New Year to be closer to Cliff. Unfortunately she had a fall resulting in a fractured ankle so when Cliff was transferred to Mt Barker Hospital, so was Mabel. The hospital team organised for them both to share a room together, so she really was by his side until the end! Family have said that was probably appropriate given their union over 76 years! Mabel is now in rehab in Gumeracha Hospital, doing very well with her recovery and is hoping to return home in the next week or so under the care of Dianne and home help.
Cliff didn’t want a fuss at his passing so his family will have a private cremation and will spread his ashes together.
Please enjoy the photos below and send any condolences via legends@mtloftydevils.com.au these will be passed on to the family.
Devils, please find below the details of the amazing Stan and Barb’s funeral to be held this Friday, 9th January, 1pm, Heathfield Oval.
The Evans family would like to pass on the following information:
All past and current players of Mt Lofty and heritage clubs are encouraged to wear something that identifies their club (eg; gurnsey, polo, hat, beanie, scarf etc).
When the hearse leaves the oval it will journey towards the clubroom wing, follow the boundary past the top goals and exit through the gate opposite the clubrooms. During this time, all past and current members of all sports clubs, will be invited to form a guard of honour at the exit gate. More information will be provided at the conclusion of the service.
There will be a drop off point near the top side of the change-rooms which has a ramp (disability) to access down to the oval, Berry Funeral will direct from there for drop off.
Planning for the forecasted weather, there will be a large marquee for shelter on the oval for the service, misting fans and plenty of water.
A reminder that the service will be on the oval, so please ensure you are comfortable in your footwear for the approximate 2 hour duration. Afternoon tea will also be provided.
FOR LIVE-STREAMING DETAILS AND MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE PLEASE VISIT : BERRYFUNERALS.COM.AU
It is with great sadness we share with you the passing of Stan Evans on 28 November and the passing of Barb Evans 7 days later, on 4th December 2025.
STAN EVANS LEGACY
Stan, a Heathfield-Aldgate United Life member and MLDFC Life Member, has left a legacy to not only the Community he served throughout his life, but with the Mt Lofty District Football Club as it stands now. So many legendary tales of his contributions towards the ground we play on and the club we celebrate in. He played a significant part in pushing (or getting around) the red tape for developing the Heathfield Oval which was the beginning of a long and important influence on our Club. To be frank, our club, and our oval, would not be here without Stan, his persistence, and his family’s support.
BARB EVANS LEGACY
Barb, a stalwart and pillar of our community. For decades, Barb was the driving force behind many essential activities that kept our club thriving. Barb established, managed and spent many hours working in our canteen, ordering the stock, picking up orders, arriving early on game day to get the pie warmers going and packing up after the games. Barb also catered for many major club events and managed external bookings for our clubrooms, welcoming organisations such as Apex, Rotary and Council with the same warmth and efficiency. Barb even once catered for the South Australian Governor!
We offer our sincere condolences to the Evans family on behalf of the Lofty Legends and MLDFC community.
David and the Evans family have accepted our offer for you to provide condolences via legends@mtloftydevils.com.au. These will be passed on to the family. Please respect their wishes for privacy as they navigate this challenging time.
This weekend’s Advertiser will offer further information. Funeral details to be advised.
Given the immense contribution from both Stan & Barb, a comprehensive appreciation and dedication will be forwarded shortly amongst all parties of the MLCSC including the MLDFC.
The Evans family at the official opening of the new change rooms Iain, David, Andrew, Barb, Stan, Daphne, YvonneNever afraid of hard work, Stan with a shovel! Stan Evans, President of Heathfield Aldgate United FC at the 1966 opening of Heathfield Oval with SANFL Chairman Tony Kenny Barb & Stan on their 70th Wedding Anniversary 2022
We would like to thank David Evans, who is did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for match against Blackwood on Saturday 26 July 2025, joined by Sons Luke and Todd.
David “Taffy” Evans was made a Mt Lofty District Football Club Life Member in 1992. His two sons and grandchildren call him “FOSL”. Affectionally, David thinks that maybe they are correct!
Way back when the oval was just scrub and some trees, there was one of many community working bees. The rocky base needed to be blasted out using explosives called gelignite. This was then levelled with large machines before the topsoil was added. As a young Heathfield Primary School lad, David remembers vividly that he and Kevin Hampton joined many rows of people lining up with garden rakes and wheelbarrows to clear the rock heaps. There was no council help at all, just the community getting it done.
David played Junior footy for Heathfield Aldgate United, colts footy and filled in with the B2 grade when his dad coached, before moving more permanently to the Bs and As.
Premierships with Heathfield Aldgate United totalled 6 and for Mt Lofty he played in the first 1981 SAFA A grade match which became Mt Lofty’s first A Grade Premiership, as well as the 1986 A grade and 1988 A2 Premiership’s. David also played League and Reserve years at Sturt as player number 797 and was lucky enough to be part of a Grand Final winning team.
He was involved in Auskick coaching and training, helped coach Mt Lofty Bs and was the main bar and security bloke in the club run Casper Discos. Today he is still doing things such as Chairman of the Sports Club and he says he remains a very proud life member of this great club.
Davids playing accolades include:
4 A Grade Premierships, 3 Other Senior Premierships, 2 Junior Premierships:
Thank you sincerely on behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty for all that you do for our club.
David with sons Todd and LukeDavid with Lofty Legends Convenor (and Head Trainer) Nikki Moore nee dee RoosDavid, in blue, and Kevin Hampton as young boys when volunteers commenced clearing for the Heathfield Oval around 1965. Both made Life Members of Mt Lofty District Football Club some decades later.David left with father Stan, still playing at 44, and brothers Iain and Andrew David 1st left in the back row in his second United A Grade Premiership in 1976. David 1st in the third row of the SAFA 1981 Mt Lofty District Football Club’s inaugural Premiership. David 2nd from the left in the front row of the 1986 A Grade Mt Lofty District Football Club Premiers in their first year in the HFL. David with John Coventry at the 2016 Reunion which celebrated the 1976 United Premiership and the 1986 Mt Lofty Premiership in which they were team mates. David with sisters Yvonne and Daphne and brothers Andrew and Iain at the unveiling of the Heathfield Oval Historic Sign by his parents Stan, HAU Life Member and Barb, Mt Lofty Life Members.David with sisters Yvonne and Daphne and brothers Andrew and Iain at the unveiling of the Heathfield Oval Historic sign for his parents Stan, HAU Life Member and Barb, Mt Lofty Life Members.
