Vale Keith Holman

[madunit]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...eat-keith-holman/story-e6frexnr-1226164592637

The great man has passed away after being ill for quite some time.

Such a remarkable story, born in Victoria, brought to Sydney by his dad, before being sent to a boys school for orphans.

He went to WWII as a member of the RAAF.

He returned and trialled with Souths and Manly, who both turned him down, saying he was too small and wouldn't survive in the 'modern game'

He went to Dubbo and was spotted by former Magpies half Eric Bennett who set up with a trial for Wests, and the rest is history.

He never played ina Winning Wests Grand Final side, sadly.

The 1852 GF win he missed as he was en-route to England for the Kangaroo's tour. He was Wests Captain coach in 1954-55.

He then became an international referee before returning to coaching at Port Kembla. In 1977 he coached Wests again, winning the AMCO cup I believe, before retiring as coach at the end of the year.

A member of Wests and Wests Tigers teams of the century. Was also awarded a life membership to Wests while still playing.

A remarkable life and career by a remarkable man.

Condolences to the family of this great man, and his friends and relatives.

 

[Magpies Forever]

A great Magpie stalwart and respected figure in the game has gone. Here's to you 'yappy'.

 

[Guvner]

My Grandfather, Ray Hancock, played for Wests in the early 30's. He spoke of Keith Holman often when i was growing up.

 

[Magpie Tragic]

RIP Yappy

 

[Tiger Crazy]

The greatest Magpie ever RIP Keith Holman Condolences to Keith's family and friends A true legend

 

[Magpie Tragic]

I never saw Yappy play, but I saw him referee often, and was he tough on the Maggies.
I recall one pre season game at Lidcombe Oval & he gave the Maggies an absolute trouncing in the first half penalty count, my mate & I were sticking up him in the second, little did we notice that they had changed refs at halftime and Yappy was sitting right behind us...OOPS, now I know why the nickname stuck, cos he gave us a real gobful....LOL

 

[innsaneink]

A great Magpie stalwart and respected figure in the game has gone. Here's to you 'yappy'.

Well said mate, had the honour of meeting him once, though too young to appreciate just who he was....R.I.P yap...a top bloke

 

[TrigaTheTiger]

Also, the only player ever to have a Junior side named after him.

RIP

 

[madunit]

Started writing an article about him on Friday night. It's 5 pages long and halfway done lol.

He certainly had an eventful life, and was very humble in everything he did.

 

[Magpies Forever]

Started writing an article about him on Friday night. It's 5 pages long and halfway done lol.

He certainly had an eventful life, and was very humble in everything he did.

Yep. I daresay one would not find too many these days who would undersell themselves, remain humble and yes, grateful for the opportunity life has given them. Maybe it was the war service- Keith Miller in cricket was very similar. Looking forward to reading the item MU.

 

[madunit]

Here's the piece I wrote.

It's feature article length. Wish I could add pictures to it.

http://andrewrlp.blogspot.com/2011/10/yappy.html

Ah well, I hope you enjoy it.

I'll try and post his career stats at the bottom of it tonight.