We would thank Geoff Hampton, a Life Member of both Mt Lofty and Heathfield Aldgate United, did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for the important match against Mt Barker for R6 on 24 May 2025.
Growing up in the local area, Geoff was a very gifted footballer who played in 15 Grand Finals at Junior and Senior Levels, becoming a member of 13 Premierships, including 7 in Heathfield Aldgate United’s A Grade and in the first Mt Lofty A Grade’s Premiership in 1981. His achievements show that he was one of the best footballers to have played in the Hills Football League. From the Captain of United Junior Premierships to the winner of 3 A Grade Best and Fairest Awards, the first of which was in 1969 at just 17 years of age, Geoff had also shown outstanding form in lowering the colours of two champion SANFL players when he played in trial games for Sturt.
While he would probably have gone on to be a very good player at South Australia’s top level, he instead decided to remain with his United mates where they went on to achieve the Australian record of 87 wins without loss, that record only beaten 3 years ago after 44 years.
Geoff was a very consistent player who rose to another level in the big occasions as illustrated by the fact that at just 18 he was named best afield after kicking 5 goals from the wing in United’s 1971 Premiership and then, 10 years later, repeat that effort in Mt Lofty’s inaugural A Grade Premiership win when he was again best afield and again kicked 5 goals.
Throughout his career Geoff also carried out a lot of voluntary work, using his building skills in projects for United and Mt Lofty. An incredible level of courage and determination was a hallmark of his football life and his life as a builder after early years as a carpenter. Those same qualities have been a key to Geoff’s inspirational battle against ill health in recent years.
The Hampton family was a huge part of United where all 4 brothers played for the club, with Geoff, Ian “Doug” and Darryl (also a Mt Lofty Life Member) playing in a total of 17 United A Grade Premierships and many Junior Premierships along with youngest brother Phillip. Geoff, Doug and Darryl also played in a total of 5 Mt Lofty A Grade Premierships between them.
Geoff’s dedication to football continued after his playing days when he coached his son Peter’s junior teams for quite a few years, played some B Grade matches in his 40’s and also volunteering for Hahndorf Football Club where the family has lived for over 40 years.
We thank you sincerely on behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty for all that you do for our club.
Geoff, third from left, training on Heathfield Oval with Mark Radbone, Roger Brooks and Coach Warren Foster.Geoff, top left back row in the 1981 Mt Lofty A Grade Premiership side. 10 years after the United Premiership, he was again best on ground and again kicked 5 goals.Geoff, third from the right in the front row, was just 18 when he was best afield and kicked 5 goals in the 1971 United A Grade PremiershipGeoff and Kerry Hampton at the 2016 club reunion. Geoff, centre, with brothers Phillip on the left and Daryl on the right at the 2021 Club Reunion.Geoff with brother Doug at the 2021 Club Reunion.
We would like to thank Kevin Hampton who did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for the match against Uraidla no Saturday April 26th 2025.
Growing up in Heathfield, Kevin was awarded Life Membership of Mt Lofty in 1990, 12 years after the formation of the club in 1978. A member of the first Mt Lofty A Grade Premiership squad in 1981, and the 1986 A Grade Premiership on return to the HFL, he has always been known for his encouragement of young players and coached Mt Lofty junior grades for 6 seasons. A Committee member and Junior Director, Kevin’s untiring service to the club, supported by wife Kathy, culminated in being elected President in 1998. He was also a founding driver of the Lofty Legends Group where he initiated awards to Junior players to encourage their team development and to build links throughout the club.
The Hampton name has been a huge part of Stirling, Heathfield, Heathfield Aldgate United and Mt Lofty history. Both Kevin’s parents, the late Jack, and Joyce, who is here today, were tireless volunteers for United, with Jack being awarded Life Membership for his service to the club as a junior coach and many other roles. This followed a wonderful playing career for Mylor, Stirling and Heathfield. His sister Lorraine, who sadly passed just 3 years ago, was a dedicated volunteer for the Devils and managed the club canteen for many years, culminating in Life Membership. Kevin’s sons Michael and Joel also represented Mt Lofty, with Joel playing many games at Junior and Senior level. Kevin’s involvement goes right back to a picture of he and David Evans as young boys seen in 1964 when clearing commenced for the Heathfield Oval.
Kevin’s Devils playing days as a solid defender, were highly regarded, with teammates recalling him as a committed team man who always supported the younger players in the team.
This followed a dedicated career with Heathfield Aldgate United where he was a member of 7 Premierships in total across A Grade, B Grade and junior sides. Kevin retired as a Mt Lofty player, after more than 300 senior matches, including for our heritage clubs, Heathfield Aldgate United and Stirling.
Everybody connected with the Mt Lofty District Football Club appreciate and say thank you to Kevin for his exceptional dedication and service.
Kevin, in red, and David Evans as young boys when volunteers commenced clearing for the Heathfield Oval around 1965.Kevin, with a beard, third from the right, second row, in the 1981 Mt Lofty A Grade Premiership side.Kevin presenting U13 player Tom Lindsay with the LLG Team Award in 2020.Kevin presenting U12 girls LLG Team Award to Hazel Kirk in 2020.Kevin with wife Kathy
ONE OF OUR OWN TURNS 100 ❤️🔥 What an amazing life story for Cliff and his family!
2025 Australia Day saw one of Heathfield Aldgate United’s most inspirational Life Members, Cliff Chaplin, turn 100. The Chaplin family, Cliff and Mabel and their children Barry and Diane, were a very big part of Heathfield Aldgate United and the family organised a celebration yesterday. Unfortunately, Cliff was unable to be present as he was not up to it on the day. A resident of Heathfield his entire life, his wonderful approach to all who have known him, saw those closest to Cliff honour and celebrate his milestone birthday and recount a century of treasured memories.
Cliff is 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 was recognised with Life Membership of Heathfield Aldgate United in 1975.
HAU was an amazing Football Club and Cliff 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 Cliff. 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. A selection of photos below show the contribution of Cliff and his family over the years – Mabel as a dedicated volunteer also, Barry as a 6 time Premiership player across the grades and Diane one of the passionate supporters.
Recently, Cliff also did us the honour of joining the club days festivities and conducted the life member coin toss in June of 2022 at home against Uraidla. It was such an honour to have the family back at the club for the occasion!
An inspiration to us all, keep on kicking goals Cliff, and much love to you and your family from your football family!
We thank Cliff for his amazing contribution to the Mt Lofty Heritage and particularly the Heathfield Aldgate United Football Club and congratulate him on his wonderful 100 years. Loved by so many people of the community.
The Lofty Legends Group & Mt Lofty District Football Club
Cliff and Mable with A Grade Coach Michael Bawden at the MLDFC Life Member Coin Toss 2022Cliff’s family celebrating ’99’ last year – Cliff, Mabel, Barry and DianeCliff (far left third row) Goal Umpire for the 1967 A Grade Premiership side the first of the 9 Premierships won over the 12 seasonsCliff (far right) leading The Scurvy Pirates accompanied by Mabel on the piano in the background
Sadly Allan Gill, a long term Heathfield Aldgate United volunteer Trainer and past Aldgate Football Club player, passed away last Thursday 19 December. He and his wife Rhonda were passionate United people and both were hard working members of the Club’s social committee.
Living in Goolwa for the past 13 years, they attended the Annual Reunion days when they could and in 2018 got to relive the glory of the 1968 HAU A Grade Premiership and Harry Dean’s winning goal. At the 1968 Presentation Night, Allan had presented Harry with his right boot, with which he kicked the winning goal, and which Allan had painted gold and displayed in a glass case. Allan is pictured in a photo below on the right reenacting the gold boot presentation with Harry at the reunion day.
They were wonderful days and Allan and Rhonda were two people who really added to the vibrancy of the amazing HAU.
Allan will be privately cremated as per his wish.
On behalf of Mt Lofty and the past players and officials of Heathfield Aldgate United we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Rhonda and sons Jason and Garth and their families on this sad occasion.
Mt Lofty District Football Club On behalf of The Lofty Legends Group and United Golden Years.
Allan Gill on the RHS re-presenting Harry Deans with his Golden Boot at the 2018 reunion.The original Golden Boot and article from 1968 still in our cabinetry at MLDFC
We would like to thank Bruce Dawes, who did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member Coin for the match against Lobethal on Saturday 10 August 2024 whilst joining his mates for reunion day.
Bruce played his entire junior and senior career at Mt Lofty, and with 362 senior club games, is still the current record holder for the Devils. Bruce won the A Grade Best and Fairest in 1996 and was an A Grade Premiership player in 2006 and 2007, later adding 2 Premierships in the B Grade and one in the C Grade. He then went on to coach our A Grade between 2014 and 2016, becoming a Premiership Coach in 2014 and being recognised as the Senior Country Coach of the Year by the SANFL. He also coached our senior womens team in 2019 then going onto coach SANFLW League where he coached at Sturt FC and now resides at West Adelaide. Bruce is also a HFL umpire and on the HFL board.
Back home at Mt Lofty he has been an avid volunteer over many years, helping all over the club. Over the years Bruce has continuously helped with oval maintenance and line marking. He is also one of our beloved MC’s at Quiz night, Presentation night and other functions, and chips in whenever the call out comes.
We are extremely lucky to have Bruce Dawes as a part of the Mt Lofty Devils Family.
Thank you sincerely on behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty District Football Club for all that you do BD.
BD testing out his tossing skills on Reunion Day, losing this one but the Devils got the win for him on the day. Bruce Dawes after flipping the coin with brother Leith who had just finished as a HFL Umpire of the BGrade Both Bruce and Leith are HFL Umpires and MLDFC Life Members2024 Reunion. Two Life Members Bruce Dawes, 2014 A Grade Coach and 2014 A Grade Team Manager, Jeff Pistola and reminiscing about the amazing season.
What a turn out for reunion day! Thank you so much to everyone that joined us to make such a memorable day! Our Lofty Legend Convener Haydn Cutting was diligent as always, and grabbed a few snaps on the day.
Thank you to everyone that made the day the success is was.
2024 Reunion. Shane Wissell who’s Grandfather was a member of the 1934 Aldgate Premiership side. Shanes family goes back to the formation of the Aldgate club with every generation playing for Aldgate and Mt Lofty. Shane with Mt Lofty was 4th generation and his sons 5th generation, James playing in the U16’s and Harry playing in the U14’s.2024 Reunion. Allan Miller – 1954 Stirling A Grade Premiership player, Martin Ellis and Chris Chardon – 1963 and 1964 Stirling Colt Premiership players and David Miller on the left.2014 Mt Lofty Premiership players and officials at the 2024 reunion. L to R. Jill Dawes, Jeff Pistola, Bruce Dawes, Sarah Bennett, Michael Stapleton, Tom Morgan, Peter Sanders, David “DK” Stevens, Matt Pistola, Steve Drake, Perry Edwards, Ben Phil, Sam Broadbridge, Wade Hall, Stuart Gould, Tom Maslin, Joel Van Paridon, Scott Huff, Henri Tonkin, Steve Drake, Sascha Oerli, Mark Drake, Brad Burch.2024 Reunion. Premiership players from HAU 1974 and Mt Lofty in 1984 and 1994. L to R Kevin Hampton, Keith White, Rob Sampson, Daryl Hampton, Robert Penny, Trevor Ranford, Perry Edwards, Ben Anderson, Lionel Kerr, Dave Bennett, Bruce Dawes, Jeff Pistola, John Bowes, Malcolm Foale.2024 Reunion. Two Life Members Bruce Dawes, 2014 A Grade Coach and 2014 A Grade Team Manager, Jeff Pistola and reminiscing about the amazing season.
