Mt Lofty District Football Club would like to thank Trevor Gould, who is did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin this week’s HFL Round 4 match against The Onkaparinga Valley Football Club at Heathfield oval in front of the Arkaba Clubhouse on 2 May 2026. Trevor was joined by his wife Carolanne, daughter Catherine, son Stuart and grandsons Robbie and Harvey.
A self-confessed football tragic who is a strong supporter of “grass roots” footy and the benefits that organised team sports have on the development of young people. Trevor originally got involved to support the playing aspirations of sons Stuart and Shaun, who have both played numerous games for Mt Lofty in the A, B & C grade teams. Shaun also coached the first Mt Lofty women’s team and is an under 18’s and B grade premiership coach.
Trevor has made many friends during his involvement at Mt Lofty in what he says has been a very happy time in his life.
He has been involved with the Mt Lofty FC for nearly 30 years in a variety of roles, and there is a long list:
Junior Colts coach
Senior Colts coach – 2 premierships in 2006 and 2007
Senior Football Director
A grade Team Manager
B grade Team Manager
C grade Team Manager (current role)
A grade Timekeeper
Match day oval line marker
Member of Mt Lofty Legends Group
Life Member 2014
The Mt Lofty Club community will forever be indebted to Trevor for his incredible dedication, hard work and very personable approach to all. In addition to the roles undertaken and in his typical low-key approach, Trevor has used his professional expertise to also take the lead in several very testing times for the club where diplomacy and credibility were essential.
On behalf of everybody at the Devils, we thank you sincerely for all you have done for the Mt Lofty District Football Club.
2020 LLG 200 Senior Games Recognition Marlon Coates – Presented by Trevor GouldTrevor Gould – Coach of 2006 Senior Colts Premiers
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
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
If you haven’t added your name to the roster yet, please click on the roster link below. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference
We are seeking between 28 and 36 people across key time slots, and with more than 500 players in the club, it should be easy to fill those spots fast! The roster has been split into playing groups, but please add your name where it suits best.
Free entry to the Grand Final (the HFL manages the gate on the day).
A front-row role on one of the most exciting days of the season.
The satisfaction of supporting a huge fundraising opportunity – proceeds will help us bridge the gap needed to upgrade our oval lights to LED by season 2026.
