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.
10 years after the United Premiership, he was again best on ground and again kicked 5 goals.
Geoff, centre, with brothers Phillip on the left and Daryl on the right at the 2021 Club Reunion.
