Originally Published July 2 2022
THE Kerang Football Netball Club (KFNC) bestowed the ultimate honour on one of their favourite sons with the renaming of their time keeper’s box after a man who dedicated his life to football in the region.
Each time the siren rings out over Riverside Park, it will be Ian ‘Squizzy’ Taylor who will be front of mind, with the KFNC acknowledging not only the past three decades – where ‘Squizzy’ was a fixture in the time keeper’s box for the Blues – but also his contribution to the game as an administrator since the 1970’s.
Due to illness at a young age, Taylor was unable to play the sport he loved, but it was as an administrator that he was able to leave the biggest imprint on the local football community – starting out as a committee member of the Kerang Football Club in the 1970s and representing players at the tribunal hearings and as club director on the Northern District Football League (NDFL) board.
Taylor then became president of the club between 1977 to 1979 and remained on the club’s committee until 1989. During this time, he was the guiding force behind the redevelopment of Riverside Park and the club’s move from Atkinson Park and was secretary of Riverside Park committee of management for 12 years and was duly made a life member of the Kerang Football Club in 1983.
Taylor’s service wasn’t just dedicated to his beloved Kerang Football Club, having also served as vice president of the NDFL for a number of years, before serving as president between 1989 to 1991.
Taylor was then made a life member of the Northern and Echuca Football League in 1991, before becoming deputy regional director of the Victorian Country Football League in 1991, where he remained in the role until 1999, representing the Central Murray Region for 15 years and being awarded the VCFL recognition of service medal for his effort.
Current KFNC president Scott Clingan was effusive in his praise for Taylor and his contribution as the club’s time keeper from the early 90s until his retirement following the 2019 season.
“He made a massive contribution to our club over the years as well as the Northern Echuca Football League and was a life member of both organisations – his contribution to our footy club was unmatched,” Clingan said.
“He was a great character. He was always around and was involved in everything we were doing and he’s sorely missed by everyone at the club.”
“It’s very hard to replace guys like ‘Squizzy’, in fact it’s impossible, to be honest.
“It’s hard to find people as dedicated as he was, they just don’t make them anymore.”
As well being well known in local football circles, Taylor was also a strong contributor to lawn bowls in the region, with Taylor also being awarded a life membership to the Kerang Bowls Club, where he served five years as president among his many years of service.
