NORTH Geelong has lost one its champions from one of the most dominant eras in local football in Geelong with the death of Reg Dean.
Dean died peacefully on Friday morning at the age of 86.
One of five brothers who represented the Magpies, Dean was a member of four Evelyn Hurst (GDFL) premiership-winning teams as a speedy rover/forward.
He featured in the 1953-55 flags at North, which were the last three of a local record seven consecutive flags between 1949-55.
Dean was part of the successful 1958 team, while also serving the first of three years as president.
In all, he played 134 matches between 1952-61.
During his presidency, Dean oversaw a meeting in which admission to the expanding Victorian Football Association.
However, Dean spoke against the move.
“Years later he sighted the fact that financially the club was not in the position to sustain a future in the VFA competition, as well as the ‘riches’ of player talent that the club enjoyed in the 50’s were slowly drying up and being dispersed across other clubs,” the Magpies said in a statement.
“Reg’s concerns were echoed with a majority in attendance voting against such a move.”
He also coached at junior level, with players under Dean’s tutelage to go on and play at VFL level including 1963 Geelong premiership duo Billy Goggin and Gordon Hynes, as well as Alex Perry and Dale Mather.
Dean is a life member of both the North Geelong football and cricket clubs.
Twitter: @tom_king79
