Jim Stock

Jim Stock developed an interest in football from the age of 16 and at age 90 is still a mad football fanatic. Jim began his football career immediately after WWII with the South Whyalla Football Club where he played 103 games from 1945-1952. Jim played mainly B grade but when promoted to the As adequately handled the rise in class.

In 1953 Jim had a nasty experience in a B grade game when his mouth plate with two teeth on it became lodged in his throat. Jim was taken to hospital and was kept in overnight for observation. Jim retired soon after and took up umpiring to stay involved in the game he loved.

Over the next three decades Jim umpired in over 2000 games of football. He officiated in 1020 as a field umpire, 34 as a boundary umpire and 950 as a goal umpire. He umpired all over Eyre Peninsula and the West Coast and rates the games in the Spencer Gulf league when Whyalla had four teams involved as the best standard that he has umpired. Jim also umpired a number of times at the Mortlock Shield.

Umpiring grand finals in Ceduna were a memorable experience for Jim. He remembers the aboriginal players would discard their boots and socks late in the game to gain extra speed. Jim then had to be vigilant and pay free kicks against those with boots stomping on the feet of those without.

All Jim’s field umpiring was conducted during the one umpire system. Among the best players Jim has seen during his career in Whyalla have been Barrie and Rodney Robran, Lawrie Rosewarne, Neil Kerley and Bevan Parker.

From 1978 to 1982 Jim sat on the Whyalla Football League management committee. In 1978 Jim was appointed to sit on the Whyalla Football League tribunal, a position he held for seven years. In 1983 and 1984 Jim was an Independent Director of the Whyalla Football League. Jim was awarded life membership of the Whyalla Football League in 1975 and life membership of the Whyalla Football League umpires association in 1982.