St Mary’s has lost one of its most influential figures, with the passing of Ray Digby following a battle with illness.
In what has been a tough week for the club, following the deaths of women’s player Brittany McLaughlin and former president Rob McCurdy, the 88-year-old died on Saturday night, just hours after the Saints took care of archrivals St Joseph’s
A life member at St Mary’s and of the GFNL, Digby, was inducted into the club’s hall of fame in 2007.
A former player, he served as president during a lengthy stint on the committee, while also holding the roles of team manager and junior coordinator.
“Digger selflessly dedicated his time across many roles and is a major reason our Club is what it is today,” the Saints wrote in tribute on Facebook.
“Digger played a pivotal role in the current success of the football club, through his great dedication to the junior football section, in particular the under-18s Colts program.
“Digger would be seen at training every night, greeting every player at the door by name, checking in with the boys and was the spiritual leader of the group during an incredibly successful period for the Club, winning 6 Colts premierships from 2012-2017.
“Each week the ‘Digger’ award was given to the player who best represented our Club values.”
Digby also enjoyed the social side of St Mary’s, especially in the company of fellow club great Jock McMahon.
“Thursday night dinners with Digger also became a staple for many years,” the Saints wrote.
“He could always be found sitting on the ‘old boys’ table next to the bar with other greats of the Club, and so respected was Digger that all players coming through would shake his hand and say ‘G’day’ to him.
“Never shy with microphone in hand, Digger also took the role of reading out the senior teams every week, creating nicknames for the Colts boys and cracking his own jokes along the way.
“His talents on the microphone extended into his legendary renditions of the traditional ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ song after premiership wins and famously on stage after the 2019 senior men’s and women’s football premierships.”
Digby is survived by his wife Joan, his seven children, and their families.
X: @krockfootball
