{xtypo_dropcap}1{/xtypo_dropcap}951 saw the beginning of four memorable careers at South Fremantle.

Three of them, John Colgan, Cliff Hillier, and Ray Richards, went on to become outstanding players for the Bulldogs and Western Australia, but the fourth, despite never taking a mark, laying a tackle, or booting a goal, was to achieve legendary status at the club over a fifty year involvement at Fremantle Oval.

A professional sprinter in his youth, trainer Tom Bottrell’s contribution to the club has been recognised with induction into South Fremantle’s Hall of Fame, the naming of the trainers room “the Tom Bottrell Room,” and life membership of both the SFFC and the WAFL.

Bottrell’s skills were beneficial to many a champion in the golden years of the fifties, the Todds and Gerovich’s in the sixties, the Rioli’s, Michael’s and Carter’s in the seventies and eighties, but for him most satisfying by far was his involvement in the career of son Tom.

“Dad was always there, throughout my junior career, and it was a big thrill for him when I made my league debut in 1992 at Fremantle Oval,” said Tom jnr.

In the money era of today, loyalty is a diminishing commodity, but the Bottrells are a notable exception.

“I’m South through and through, would never have envisaged the thought of playing somewhere else,” he said. “I love the club; I literally grew up at Fremantle Oval.”

Despite being born in East Fremantle, Tom spent most of his childhood around Fremantle Oval. “I used to have kick to kick with Michael and Carter.” It was inevitable that the young Bottrell would be part of the scenery as soon as he was old enough. A rover with Cockburn juniors, he paid tribute to coach, Barry Egan, father of Greg, who was a premiership player with both Claremont and East Fremantle. “I was lucky enough to have a good coach at that level.”

Bottrell jnr played with Souths colts in 1989,90 and 91, then forced his way into the league side the next year. A hard running, tough as nails player who could fill a number of roles, he debuted in the season opener in 1992, along with Warren Campbell, Derek Woods, Russell Williams, Wayne Hernaman, Jason Spinks, and Michael Ball, and played eight senior games before stress fractures in both shins forced him onto the sidelines. Recovering in time to play with the reserves in the finals of that year, Tom was part of a premiership under Paul Vasoli.

Bottrell was selected by West Coast at number twelve in the 1994 supplementary list.

Third in WJ Hughes Medal voting in 1996, Tom was vice captain of the 1997 premiership side in a Derby grand final. Related through marriage to former East Fremantle star Mick Jez, Bottrell has no hesitation in labeling the win “the highlight of my career.” “The flag winning South side of 1980 had been my heroes, so it was an even bigger buzz to emulate them.”

Tom enjoyed his best season two years later, when selected in the State side and was runner up to Brad Bootsma for the Hughes Medal.

Bootsma captained the West Australians as East’s Rod Tregenza booted ten goals in a fifty eight point win over Tasmania at Kalgoorlie, with Bottrell playing as a midfielder.

On July 26, 2003, it was an emotional South Fremantle side that carried Tom Bottrell from the field after a nail biting clash with East Perth at Fremantle Oval. The fact that the three point loss meant curtains for finals aspirations that season was momentarily pushed aside as team mates and supporters paid tribute to a favourite son. Scheduled for a knee operation the following week, it was inevitable that his two hundredth league appearance would be Bottrell’s last.

“Yes, it was a sad occasion,” he recalls. “The biggest regret I have is not being able to see out the rest of the year and retire with Marty Atkins. We’d played a hundred and ninety eight games together.”

Talked into playing some matches with fellow ex Bulldogs Atkins and Peter Worsfold at Donnybrook the following year, Tom accepted the coaching job at Amateur Club CBC  in 2005 for three seasons, reaching two preliminary finals, before serving the South Fremantle Football Club as a Director for three years.

“I thought I’d have a year’s break from footy,” Tom said of his decision not to stand as a Director for another term, but it’s hard to keep a good man down. “Former South player Mark Foster rang me, and said that Heath Black had stood down from coaching reigning premiers Harvey-Brunswick in the South West League, and would I be interested?”

Under Bottrell the club reached the preliminary final of the SWFL. He has since been appointed Chief Executive of Swan Districts Football Club.

Tom Bottrell is a family man these days, with two girls to keep him busy. Always a runner on the field, he still enjoys a jog, and rides a pushbike.

Brad Bootsma and Marty Atkins were his nominations as best he’d played with. He said his Dad rated Todd and Michael as best he’d seen, which was a big wrap, considering the stars he’d had the pleasure of watching. “I enjoyed playing on Steven Bilcich from East Fremantle,” he told us. “A great player, Steve was always a challenge.”

The names of Lewington, Naylor, Marsh, Michael, Todd, Rioli and a host of others adorn the South Fremantle rooms. While giving due recognition to its array of champions, the club holds the two Bottrells in equally as high regard for sixty years of loyalty and service on and off the field.