Doug Lubcke

Doug Lubcke was born in Kimba and played his first senior game with them as a fourteen year old just after football resumed following WWII. Doug worked for the PMG and when he was transferred to Port Lincoln in 1947, he was able to join his brothers Des and Barry at Lincoln South. Doug also spent a brief time playing Amateur League while attending Postal School.

Doug returned to play for Lincoln South in 1950 and stayed there for the next few years apart from time spent doing his three month National Service training. Doug became a relief worker for the PMG that saw him posted for brief periods at Post Offices all over the South East. He spent 1952 as a member of Kalangadoo’s undefeated premiership side and then joined the Rambler team in Murray Bridge in 1953 and won the award for their best and fairest. Doug played with Naracoorte in 1954 and was named third best in their premiership team and won the award for Naracoorte’s most improved player for the year. His coach at Naracoorte, Laurie Taylor amid the euphoria of his premiership acceptance speech described Doug as like a little atom bomb on the football field.

1957 was a memorable year for Doug, the PMG appointed him on a permanent basis to Murray Bridge, he won his second Rambler best and fairest award and he married Helen. Doug represented the River Murray league on several occasions at the annual Lovelock Shield and in 1961 was selected in the River Murray Football League ‘Team of the Year’. After his retirement from competitive football, Doug served the Ramblers Football Club as a trainer for 28 years and also for a number of years with the RMFL Lovelock Shield teams. He was awarded Ramblers life membership in 1962 and for her services to the club, Helen also received life membership in 1973.

Doug and Helen’s loyalty and dedication to the Rambler Football Club was inherited by their two sons, Chris and David. Chris played just over 300 games for Ramblers and won the club best and fairest award on four occasions, 1982, 1984, 1988 and 1990. Chris and David were both a fair bit taller than their five feet six inch father was. David was a defender and Chris a ruck rover and together they played in five Rambler premierships. Chris Lubcke was awarded life membership in 1984 and David completed a unique family quadrella when he attained his life membership in 1988.