The Sydney Swans Football Club is saddened by the passing of one of the Club’s longest serving and most passionate supporters, Bill Quinn.

Bill was also a wonderful contributor to the code of Australian Rules and his achievements were recognised when he won the John Yates Award at the Sydney Swans Club Champion dinner in 2007. The Award is given annually to a person who has made a significant contribution to the promotion and development of the Sydney Swans and AFL in NSW.

Bill and his wife Kath began their affiliation with the Club when they became sponsors of the Sydney Swans though Kellpro.

Bill’s involvement in football began at a young age in Victoria, and he was a boundary umpire in three VFL Grand Finals. A talented runner, Bill was a finalist in the famous Stawell Gift race held every Easter.

He moved to Sydney in 1962 and had a significant impact on umpiring in Sydney where for many years he was the Umpires’ Coach for the Sydney competition.

 But Bill was perhaps best known for his success as a coach in Sydney.  He coached firstly with the Sydney Naval Team, then when that club folded he moved to the East Sydney club, where he achieved great success, including two premierships.

One of his star players was a youthful Greg Harris who went on to become Chairman of Selectors at the Swans. 

Later he also coached the Sydney Uni AFL team.

Due to ill health, Bill spent the last two years in an aged care facility on the Gold Coast where he passed away last week.

The Sydney Swans send their condolences to Bill’s family.