It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Flabber, a Doutta Stars football legend, but also a gifted sportsperson across several sports and several sporting clubs.
Kevin was born in West Coburg in July 1936 and played junior football with Flemington YCW and Ascot Youth Centre at Walter Street Oval. In 1952 he won the Woods Medal as the best and fairest in the Under 17 competition in the EDFL.
In 1953-54 as a quality local player he was chosen to play under 19s with Essendon and graduated to their seconds as a regular in 1954-55. During that time he was team mate to several Doutta players including Leo Danaher, Ray Lalor, John Swallow and Neil Brown, the grandfather of Jake and Karl Brown.
In 1956 while part time with Essendon seconds he was finally encouraged to join Douttas and so began a great partnership with our club that extends to the current day. In 1957 he was a member of the team that was premiers and champions.
The following year Flabber was appointed Captain Coach at Douttas and it proved to be a stunning appointment across the six years that he held that position. Douttas played in the A Grade grand final in each of those six years. They were successful in winning 4 premierships while he was coach and unfortunately in the other two years they went through the season undefeated but then lost the grand final. He was in charge for 3 premierships in succession (1961-63), before handing over the reins to Ed Hoctor for a fourth premiership in a row for the club.
Kevin’s football knowledge and reputation created the opportunity to continue coaching in the VFL system. He joined North Melbourne as their under 19 coach in 1964 and continued to 1968, leading them into the finals for the first time. He was promoted as coach of the North Melbourne Seconds team from 1969 to 1972 working with senior coach Brian Dixon a Melbourne 6 time premiership player. Again he had success getting the side into the finals and developing young talent ready for the successful Barassi era.
Back at Douttas, Flabber was also involved with the cricket club from its beginnings in 1967 and was a member of the first two senior premiership teams, being the key leg spinner in the side that played on the matting at Buckley Park. The century he made in the first grand final was considered a match winner as the team took out the premiership. He also served the football club in a number of capacities over the years including as head of recruiting, chairman of selectors and also as president in 1976 and 1977.
Kevin was also involved with our arch enemy Aberfeldie, firstly as a cricketer before DSCC commenced and then later in roles with their football club. Firstly he was sweet talked into the coaching role as Abers were in B Grade. He successfully led them to a premiership and then they were without a president, so he was cajoled into that role for 12 months. Flabber’s connection to the two clubs is so strong that each year Douttas play Aberfeldie for the Kevin Beardsley Cup. It is most fitting that these two clubs will face off in this week of his passing.
Flabber was the true sports competitor who went on to play golf at a number of locations. He is well loved at Ocean Grove Golf Club where he became club captain during the time that his great mate Peter “Gravel” Williams was president of the club. At the same time Kevin competed in Lawn Bowls firstly at Clifton Park and later at Ocean Grove where he has lived for a number of years. He also has been known to have a punt on the horses just to round out his sporting prowess.
In summary, Kevin is a life member of Douttas, captain of the team of the century, five time premiership player and four time premiership coach, best and fairest winner, dual cricket premiership player, president of the club and he even found time to help out struggling Aberfeldie and North Melbourne. He probably was responsible for helping both those lowly clubs to build their capacity and finally find the success that he had enjoyed at Douttas.
Flabber, you will be sorely missed. We pass on our condolences to the extended Beardsley family.