Darrol Foote – Central
Whyalla
Darrol was born in Quorn but moved to Whyalla at an early
age and has always regarded Whyalla as home.
After an outstanding schoolboy career he joined Central
Whyalla in 1951 and came through the Whyalla Colts football system
winning his Club’s Best & Fairest award in 1955.
At sixteen years of age Darrol made his debut with Central
Whyalla “A” grade team in 1956 which was to be a premiership for the
Roosters – the only time he would enjoy the ultimate team success.
The highly regarded book “The Mail Medal 1933 – 1996” states
that “ for 12 seasons from 1956 to 1967 Darrol Foote was the measuring
stick in Whyalla Football” and “over time he still ranks as the City’s
most decorated player.”
During this period perhaps the year 1960 would be regarded
as a standout. In this sporting year Darrol won the first of his Whyalla
News Medals but also won the Whyalla News Medal in basketball and the
Whyalla tennis singles title. He signed with North Adelaide – rejecting
offers from Norwood, Glenelg and Collingwood. He went on to win a
further three Whyalla News Medals in 1961 (tied with Mick Vanvacas –
North) 1962, and 1966 (tied with Barrie Robran – North) as well as two
Sportsman of the Year Awards in 1960 and 1961. He won the first of his
Club’s Best & Fairest Awards in 1957 and then a further seven between
1960 and 1966. He was Captain/Coach of Central Whyalla in 1965 and 1966
taking the Roosters from 8th in his first year to 3rd
in the second whilst Whyalla was part of the strong Spencer Gulf League.
A posting to BHP’s London Office at the end of 1967 finished
Darrol’s football career which spanned around 170 games with Central
Whyalla, 20 for the Whyalla combined team and 3 with North Adelaide.
He was awarded Life Membership of both Central Whyalla and
the Whyalla Football League in 1966. He was selected in the Whyalla
Football League’s Team Of the Century in year 2000.
After football Darrol continued to play tennis at a high
level in Adelaide and was part of a number of premiership teams at
Metropolitan Lawn Division 1 level. He captained South Australia to a
national title in 1986 at over 45’s level and won two South Australian
Father and Son titles with son Warren in 1987 and 1988. They then led an
Australasian Father/Son team to victory in the International Father/Son
Kiam Cup in Spain in 1988.