Robert Loveday, West Adelaide

Londoner Bob Loveday emigrated to Australia with his family when he was twelve. Having played soccer in England, he was naturally disposed to continue his involvement in that sport when he arrived in Adelaide, but found the atmosphere at local soccer clubs not to his taste. Instead, he turned to football, a decision he never had cause to regret. "I loved the environment, I loved the people and I loved the game," he would recall at the end of his playing career (see footnote 1).

The young Loveday soon began to demonstrate considerable prowess at his chosen game. Fearless and resolute, he also possessed considerable pace, while his all round skills would continue to improve noticeably for most of his twenty-one year football career.

Despite being a North Adelaide supporter, Loveday, aged sixteen, was persuaded by a friend to try out with West Adelaide. In 1962 he fronted up for West's Thirds team, playing mainly as a ruckman, and the following season he captained the side before breaking through for his debut League appearance towards the end of the year. Then, however, Loveday's career stalled, and he spent the greater part of the next three seasons playing at full forward for the seconds.

Bob Loveday's big break came in 1967 when coach Don Roach decided to give him a run on the half back line. Loveday thrived. In 1968 he played in both of South Australia's interstate matches for the year on a half back flank and the following year he was continuing to perform splendidly in West Adelaide's best side since the beginning of the decade when disaster struck; midway through the season, Loveday broke a leg, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the year. His absence during the finals arguably cost West dear.

Loveday eventually recovered from his injury and in 1971 he was appointed club skipper. All told, he captained West for a club record seven seasons, as well as being playing coach in 1972.

During the final phase of his career, Loveday demonstrated his versatility by playing many games on the ball, while in 1973 and 1974 he topped the club goal kicking from full forward. In 1974 and 1975 he won the Trabilsie Medal as West Adelaide's best and fairest player.

Despite 'retiring' at the end of a 1977 season which had seen West bow out in the preliminary final, Loveday, desperate to play in a premiership side, resumed the following year, only to suffer immense disappointment as his side won just 5 games (and drew 1) for the year to plummet to 9th. This time Loveday's illustrious sixteen season, 263 game (plus 2 for South Australia) career really was over.

Absolute legend for westies

Definatley a different WAFC Guernsey that he is wearing - Have Westies ever had that one out for a Heritage match?

Ben W wrote:Definatley a different WAFC Guernsey that he is wearing - Have Westies ever had that one out for a Heritage match?

No Ben..i even doubt whether they still have those jumpers hidden away some where.
From memory they were only used for a few seasons when Fos Williams was coach.

Loveday was a tough nut as well from memory. I didn't mind those jumpers, they looked ok.

Firstblood wrote:

Ben W wrote:Definatley a different WAFC Guernsey that he is wearing - Have Westies ever had that one out for a Heritage match?

No Ben..i even doubt whether they still have those jumpers hidden away some where.
From memory they were only used for a few seasons when Fos Williams was coach.

yes in the late 70's when fos changed our name to the wolves

He won the Trabilsie medal???.....was that named after Ferris Trabilsie the rather flamboyant hairdresser???...
serious question.....

burgerking wrote:He won the Trabilsie medal???.....was that named after Ferris Trabilsie the rather flamboyant hairdresser???...
serious question.....

correct wieght

Blacky your current avatar tends to distract me from what you are talking about.
What was that again?