Tom Watson, who wore number 21 in his playing days with Berwick, takes a well-earned breather at half-time in the under-18s grand final on Saturday. An important point to make. Tom Watson sends Saturday’s reserves grand final into extra time. 71004 Pictures: Stewart Chambers
By David Nagel
THERE are 12 rusty steps, almost vertical, more like a ladder really, that lead to the inner sanctum of the scoreboard at Berwick’s Edwin Flack Reserve.
Once conquered, the steps lead to a timbered floor area and the sight of a man, arms folded, staring out onto the ground through an uncovered opening, about the size of a Weg’s footy poster.
Tom Watson, 72, is the man in question; he’s a life member and been involved in the Berwick Football Club since 1972. He has played a key role in decisions that have had a long-lasting effect on the club. Look into Watson’s eyes and the passion is obvious.
For this finals series, Watson is operating the scoreboard, keeping a close eye on proceedings. After every score the crowd look to Watson’s handiwork to keep them updated – and he doesn’t want to let them down.
“Yeah, during the season I’m timekeeper for the seniors, but its finals time, everyone’s got to be a bit flexible,” Watson said.
“I’ve been timekeeper since Jimmy Hower died – that was about five years ago. I still very much miss Jimmy, we all do. I did the scoreboard, he did the timekeeping.
“Nobody has fallen down those steps yet, but there have been a few slips and near-misses.”
Watson has had a couple of one-year stints away from the club; he worked for the Gas and Fuel and had to travel to all parts of Victoria to carry out conversions.
Watson has played, coached and been on the committee. He doesn’t waste words.
“I just love the people, that’s what I get out of it, the friendships, I love the game and I love the club,” he said.
Watson won’t say so, but he played a major part in the naming of Edwin Flack Reserve in 1986.
“I was secretary when this place was called ‘Recreational Park’. This lovely old lady, she was 88, started telling me about the history of Edwin Flack, she said everyone is going to do something about changing the name of this place but nobody ever does,” he said.
“I thought, we’ve got to change the name of this joint.
“We got nowhere for about 12 months, but then Cyril Molyneux and Rob Wilson got involved and things happened pretty quickly, I got a phone call one night saying the name had been changed.
“I can’t describe that feeling, it was really special.”
Since then Watson has helped raise money to improve items associated with the legend of Edwin Flack. The grave site, statue and archway have all been developed from donations.
Maybe there’s a little bit left to fix those 12 rusty steps.
