***Updated 2 October 2021*** Added 1980 ‘Save Subi’ Art and Craft Exhibition material from Bev Fussell at the end.
Kevin Merifield played 213 league games and kicked 149 goals for WAFL club Subiaco 1957-68. He was captain of the club 1963 and 1965. He also played four state games for WA.
1968 Kevin Merifield league footballer SFC. Photo Weekend News.
Former player and WA surf pioneer Kevin Merifield was President of the club at the time. The Club launched a Save Subi appeal and sent a letter to Members & supporters seeking funds to get over the road bump.
1980 SFC Save Subi appeal letter page 1. courtesy of Bruce King.1980 SFC Save Subi appeal letter page 2. courtesy of Bruce King.
The Save Subi campaign was successful and the Club has enjoyed golden years since.
This weekend Subi has teams in the League and Ressie WAFL Grand finals.
Kevin Merifield – “Yes it’s been a great turn around since those very difficult times. Subi Council wanted to kick us out of Subi oval because the club was way in arrears on its lease before we came along. Several of the WAFL directors wanted to kick us out of the competition and bring in Wanneroo because we were an embarrassment on an off the field. There was a long list of creditors who hadn’t been paid for 6-9 months several of who wanted to wind the club up and that was just for starters. Sure was tough times, but we worked our butts off and managed to turn it around. Once the house was in order success eventually followed.” Cheers Kevin
Kevin started surfing down south in 1955. He is now an Octogenarian and still surfs in the southwest.
2021 Kevin leaving the surf at Yallingup last week. Photo Alex ‘Alfie’ Cater.
WA surf pioneer Jim Keenan – “Very informative. I was away working in little old Carnarvon during that fragile time. I never really appreciated the dire situation Subiaco was in.It’s a major credit to ‘Leg’s that the club was saved and went on to be the powerful club it is today. Thanks for the history lesson.”Cheers Jim
1980 ‘Save Subi’ Art & Craft Exhibition
Bev Fussell – “I vividly recall the “Save Subi” campaign. In 1980, my late husband, Ray Fussell, and I put together a major Art and Craft exhibition in the SFC clubrooms to raise funds for the campaign. We had nearly 100 Artists and crafts folk exhibiting and giving working demonstrations. It opened on Friday 28 November and went on successfully all weekend. On opening night we had the privilege of launching Albert Facey’s book “A Fortunate Life”. Albert was the grandfather of SFC staff member John Rose. Kevin has been a good friend to our family, and surfing buddy to Ray and the “Down South” crew. He was also inspirational and encouraging to our son Mitch Fussell when he played league for Subiaco. Kevin is also known for being a generous benefactor to various worthy causes”.
Opening night Save Subi Art & Craft Exhibition. Photo courtesy of Bev Fussell. From left. Kevin and Margaret Merifield, Bev Fussell, Mayor of Subiaco and his wife and in the foreground is Albert Facey.1980 ‘Save Subi’ Art & Craft Exhibition foreword by Club President Kevin Merifield. Courtesy Bev Fussell.1980 ‘Save Subi’ Art & Craft Exhibition poster #1. Courtesy Bev Fussell.1980 ‘Save Subi’ Art & Craft Exhibition poster #2. Courtesy Bev Fussell.
***Updated 2 October 2021*** Added 1980 ‘Save Subi’ Art and Craft Exhibition material from Bev Fussell at the end.
Kevin Merifield played 213 league games and kicked 149 goals for WAFL club Subiaco 1957-68. He was captain of the club 1963 and 1965. He also played four state games for WA.
In 1980 the Subiaco Football Club Inc. was in a bad way on and off the playing field.
Former player and WA surf pioneer Kevin Merifield was President of the club at the time. The Club launched a Save Subi appeal and sent a letter to Members & supporters seeking funds to get over the road bump.
The Save Subi campaign was successful and the Club has enjoyed golden years since.
This weekend Subi has teams in the League and Ressie WAFL Grand finals.
Kevin Merifield – “Yes it’s been a great turn around since those very difficult times. Subi Council wanted to kick us out of Subi oval because the club was way in arrears on its lease before we came along. Several of the WAFL directors wanted to kick us out of the competition and bring in Wanneroo because we were an embarrassment on an off the field. There was a long list of creditors who hadn’t been paid for 6-9 months several of who wanted to wind the club up and that was just for starters. Sure was tough times, but we worked our butts off and managed to turn it around. Once the house was in order success eventually followed.” Cheers Kevin
Kevin started surfing down south in 1955. He is now an Octogenarian and still surfs in the southwest.
WA surf pioneer Jim Keenan – “Very informative. I was away working in little old Carnarvon during that fragile time. I never really appreciated the dire situation Subiaco was in. It’s a major credit to ‘Leg’s that the club was saved and went on to be the powerful club it is today. Thanks for the history lesson.” Cheers Jim
1980 ‘Save Subi’ Art & Craft Exhibition
Bev Fussell – “I vividly recall the “Save Subi” campaign. In 1980, my late husband, Ray Fussell, and I put together a major Art and Craft exhibition in the SFC clubrooms to raise funds for the campaign. We had nearly 100 Artists and crafts folk exhibiting and giving working demonstrations. It opened on Friday 28 November and went on successfully all weekend. On opening night we had the privilege of launching Albert Facey’s book “A Fortunate Life”. Albert was the grandfather of SFC staff member John Rose. Kevin has been a good friend to our family, and surfing buddy to Ray and the “Down South” crew. He was also inspirational and encouraging to our son Mitch Fussell when he played league for Subiaco. Kevin is also known for being a generous benefactor to various worthy causes”.
From left. Kevin and Margaret Merifield, Bev Fussell, Mayor of Subiaco and his wife and in the foreground is Albert Facey.
Thank you for your contribution Bev Fussell.
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