Last year we nominated Keith “No Worries” Fort for the Local Clubs Legend awards and Keith was duly recognised. The following is the article that profiled Keith.
He is known far and wide as “no worries”, the consistent face of the Poowong Footy Club. The gate keeper’s box is named “no worries” and this is where you’ll find Keith Fort every home game from 7 am in the morning till half time in the seniors. He will not leave his post.
The punters will not get past Keith. He can sniff out an intruder from a 100 paces and if anyone dare to suggest they are just dropping someone off, god help them for he’ll track them down in no time for their entry fee!
However his efforts go far beyond the gate keeper’s box. Keith has been the treasurer of the club since 1985. Time stops for no one and with the introduction of the GST and computer software packages for keeping the books the treasurer’s job is officially run by other members.
Keith still accounts for every cent that goes through the club though. You see, he is the bar man as well and handles all the ordering of supplies and ensures the fridges are stocked for all occasions.
Keith also manages all the memberships. Everyone pays Keith their membership money and Keith issues all the membership tickets and maintains a complete record of all members.
Keith ensures all the paperwork is in order for a Saturday. He makes sure the timekeepers cards, goal keeper’s cards, ground reports, game reports, vote cards and umpires pay packets are in order.
Keith picks up after everyone leaves the rooms on the away games. Any clothes left behind are gathered up and washed at home and returned to the rightful owner. Not only that, he ensures there are some spare shorts and socks for those who cannot pack their own bag on a Saturday morning.
Keith also orders in all the trainers gear - strapping, oil and whatever else is required in the first aid kit. He makes sure there are goal umpire jackets, runners gear and red coats for all the officials. At the beginning of the year he makes sure the pads are on the goal posts.
No worries, we just have to get a few things done. Every Friday night he is at the club stacking fridges and organizing the paperwork for the next day. Every training night he is behind the bar chasing up memberships, handing out awards from the previous game and of course serving grog to the punters. He manages the booking of the social rooms for other events and before the year is out he chases up all the coaches so the appropriate trophies can be ordered and engraved.
No Worries – you’re our legend!
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