Vale Blair Campbell

[Whispering_Jack 29,753]

Former Demon, Blair Campbell, who played 12 games and kicked 23 goals from a half forward flank in 1969 has passed away.

Campbell, who joined the club from Richmond, was credited with inventing the banana kick. He played the one season for the club and retired after injuring his knee but went on to a long career in Shield Cricket as a crafty wrist spinner who was also a handy late order batsman.

Condolences to the family.
 

[deebug 1,754]

May he rest in peace.

Thoughts are with his family and friends, at this time.

[durango 2,004]

Vale Blair from a Melbourne High School college 

[Demons3031 375]

Thanks for the memories Blair-both when playing against us and with us. :)

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,762]

I went to school with all six of Blair's kids and lived just a few doors up the street.

He would come to our school every lunchtime without fail and facilitate a match where he'd not only umpire but quite often commentate.

Everyone had nicknames based on their playstyle. It was something I took for granted but realise now that that level of dedication to the younger generation is a pretty rare thing.

A good cricketer who represented Tasmania and played first XI cricket in Gippsland until well into his 50's.

Edited November 4, 2020 by Cheesy D. Pun

[mauriesy 7,256]

In the mid 1960s when he was playing VFL, Blair ran a Sunday footy game for local kids in Hedgeley Dene Gardens in East Malvern. Every second kid from around the area would turn up, to be divided into two teams and play. Blair would umpire. It was great fun until the Council banned footy in the park because the kids were chopping up the lawn too much.

I remember one Blair's favourite local kids was Robert Lamb, who went on to play 58 games for Richmond and 7 for South Melbourne. Lamb is the only player in Richmond history to have kicked 8 or more goals in a game at Senior, Reserve and Under 19 levels.

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention @Whispering_Jack. I knew one of his son's rather well through university, so shall make contact.

The beauty of this site is the interconnectedness, and at times, helps reconnect during the most important times of life.

Cheers.

[Half forward flank 1,022]

Loved Blair Campbell. We would all try out his new fangled banana kick at the park. Ahead of his time. Does anyone  ever have the passion for our players we did as kids, win, lose or draw. We thought they were stars

Edited November 5, 2020 by Half forward flank

[hemingway 7,615]

Blair was slow but a remarkable kick for goal. In the days of punt kicks and drop punts he truly invented the banana before Daicos and others perfected it. 

I remember seeing him first kick a banana goal at one of the old suburban grounds either The Lake or Brunswick St. I think he kicked two goals. The crowd gasped and Demon supporters rejoiced, simply because it had not been seen before. It was like watching a magicians trick and not quite understanding how he had done it. 

It would not be so regarded today because freak goals are common place. But Blair’s banana was his own creation, had not been done before, and was therefore something very special. Not to be forgotten. 

Blair was an untidy footballer giving you the impression he was like a kid on the park, socks down, and scraggy hair. 

He may not have been a great footballer but he did something on the field that was memorable for those who watched a few glimpses of his magic. 

[dee-tox 4,835]

Was a great cricket coach. Helped me enormously with my leggies. Lovely fella.

[58er 6,377]

Vale Blair Campbell 

Special sympathies  to his family and friends .

[Neil Crompton 5,446]

I remember Blair when he played cricket with Prahran CC. Not only a great and rather unique talent, a wonderfully friendly man, but also a pied piper. Wherever he went, there were always kids following him. Great memories.

my condolences to the Campbell family.