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
It is with great sadness that we advise of the passing of Mt Lofty Sports Club Life Governor, and long-time player, volunteer and supporter of both the Stirling and Mt Lofty Football Clubs, Lynton Laffey.
A staunch supporter, with his wife Margaret, who attended all Mt Lofty matches until ill health prevented this several years ago, Lynton remained fully across the club’s progress until his passing on Thursday 31 July 2025.
Following in the footsteps of his father, who was a champion goal kicking forward for Stirling, Lynton played his football for the heritage club, being a member of the 1963 Senior Colts Premiership side and later becoming a very strong and passionate volunteer on the formation of the Mt Lofty Football Club. Such was his dedication that he and Margaret became Life Governors of the then Mt Lofty Sports Club which was fundamental to the construction of the Licensed Club building, now referred to as the Pavilion.
Lynton’s passion for Mt Lofty saw him provide much voluntary work for the club in the background and his support grew even further when his son Chris proudly wore the red and white as a junior and senior player, being a member of the 1998 Senior Colts Premiership. The family’s conviction to Mt Lofty has certainly been very strong through Lynton, Margaret, Chris and Lynton’s sister Helen Hewitt and a family connection with Grandson, Charlie Ness still playing in the U14’s with Mt Lofty.
Lynton’s Funeral service will be held in the Carr Memorial Chapel, 1 Morphett St, Mt Barker on Thursday 7th August 2025, at 10.00am.
The Lofty Legends Group and the Mt Lofty District Football Club pass on our sincere condolences at this very sad time to Margaret, Kerryn, Chris and their families and the extended family.
STIRLING COLTS 1963 PREMIERSHIP TEAM
Back Row L-R: Andy Reid, Hans Mulder, Vin Pistola; Bill Pattullo 2nd To Back Row: George Healey, Dennis Tolcher, Neville Pauley, Greg Cotton, John Johansen. 3rd to Back Row: Nigel Hague, Martin Ellis, Trevor (?) Gill, Alan Evans, John Sandford, Chris Chardon, Lynton Laffey, George Matic. Front Row: Terry Cotton, Peter Cutting, Brenton Williams, Lyn Evans (coach), Philip Riggs (captain), Wayne Radbone, Frank Johansen. Sitting on Ground: Robert Healey, Trevor Renfrey, J. Hodges, Robert Brown
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.
We would like to thank Paul Blows who did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member Coin Toss for the match against Lobethal on Saturday 19 July 2025 on behalf of the Blows family.
Bob and Don Blows, both Life Members of one of our heritage clubs, the Stirling Football Club and who are doing us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin in today’s match against Onkaparinga Valley.
Sadly, Bob and Don’s eldest brother passed away in May this year and so the younger brothers will also be representing Max when they did the coin toss. Three coins have been struck for the occasion – a rare first for us as a club. Paul Blows performed the Life Member Coin Toss using Bob’s commemorative coin.
At the time of the commencement of their football careers, there were no colts teams and so each began playing senior football at just 16 years of age, all going on to be Premiership players during the 1950’s and playing in the club’s last Premiership in 1960.
From what we can ascertain, the three brothers played in a total of 10 Premierships between them over 5 Premiership years during the Stirling Football Club’s dominant era after the second world war through to 1960 – Max in 4 Premierships, Bob in 4 and Don in 2.
In both 1955 and 1960, all three brothers were Premiership players together – certainly a very special and rare feat.
Bob played his entire career with Stirling, while both Don and Max also played at Sturt Football Club, Don making his debut in 1957 as player number 613 and Max in 1959 as player number 643.
The Blows name was certainly synonymous with Stirling Football Club where the brothers gave outstanding service as players, officials and supporters of the club. That support also continued with the formation of Mt Lofty, following the amalgamation of Stirling and Heathfield Aldgate United in 1978.
Thank you sincerely on behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty District Football Club for all that you have done Blows family.
