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Arthur Beaton
After a successful
S.A.N.F.L. career with both West Adelaide (1946-1947) and North Adelaide
(1948-1949) Arthur played for Walkerville in the S.A. Amateur League in
1950-1952. He was Captain of their 1952 Premiership team.
In 1953 he was enticed to
Whyalla by being offered the role of Captain Coach of West Whyalla
Football Club. During his career he was primarily used at full back due to
his ability to match it with both smaller and bigger opponents with his
agility, strength, and 'rat cunning' that all key defenders must possess.
He was much admired for
his balance and poise under pressure, and a perfectionists kicking style.
But in season 1953 his
versatility came to the fore, and whilst West Whyalla only finished third,
Arthur did finish on top of the Clubs goal kicking list after moving to
full forward mid season.
After 1953 Arthur stood
down from coaching to concentrate more on his playing career, and mainly
positioned at full back went on to win the Clubs Best & Fairest Award in
1954.
From 1953-1956 Arthur was
also Club Secretary and is credited with being the driving force behind
the recruitment of John McInerney as Captain Coach in 1957 from arch rivals
North Whyalla.
Arthur was a key member
of West Whyalla's first ever Premiership side in 1957 (also Club Treasurer
that year) and again in 1958. He was also a member of the victorious
'Combined' team that beat Upper Murray in 1958.
This was also the year
that West Whyalla's 'new' Clubrooms were opened and most accolades for the
success of this enormous venture are credited to Arthur (referred to as
the 'moving spirit' behind the project) and his ability to cajole and
inspire men to work with and for him.
Arthur insisted that the
Clubrooms must be the biggest in Whyalla and personally measured the size
of Norths Clubrooms and made plans that were 1 foot longer, 1 foot wider,
and 8 inches higher than Norths.
Yes, he was certainly
competitive!
In 1959 Arthur was
involved in a serious car accident and whilst he attempted 'comebacks' in
1960 and 1961 they were short lived and his games tally for West Whyalla
ended at 86.
Arthur is fondly
remembered by West Whyalla historians as the 'Architect of the Clubs
Golden Era', both on and off the playing field.
Arthurs unending love for
the sport did see him join the Umpiring fraternity where his knowledge of
the game and cheerful, mature nature made him a much admired and respected
Field Umpire during 1961 & 1962.
In 1963 Arthur was
offered, and accepted, the North Whyalla Colts coaching position.
It was here he was to
have an undeniable influence on the playing career of the great Barrie
Robran, who to this day credits Arthur as having the biggest influence on
his illustrious football career.
Arthur continued to coach
various junior grades at North and also served a period as Chairman of the
Club.
In 1988 Arthur become
involved with Weeroona Bay who had joined the Whyalla Junior League in
1968 and the Senior ranks in 1970.
Using all his guile and
business acumen Arthur assisted the development of an Administrative
structure that further improved the principles and strategies that had
resulted in their first ever 'A' Grade Premiership team in 1985.
Arthur also devoted many
hours to assisting the various Junior grades and introduced and conducted
ongoing fundraising activities for the Club that are still in existence to
this day.
Arthur Beaton, a life
time in football, recognised in part by being awarded Life Membership at
three Clubs, namely North Whyalla 1973, West Whyalla 1995, Weeroona Bay
1999 and the Whyalla Football League in 1966.
Legendary status as it is
very doubtful if four Life Memberships by the one person will ever be
achieved in Whyalla Football again.
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