The Sydney Swans are mourning the passing of former administrator and lifelong Blood, Noel Gould.
When Noel was a young boy, living in the Victorian country town of Rainbow, a local player, believed to be Jim Gull, made the big time in Melbourne playing for South Melbourne. He became Noel’s hero and the reason he started following the Swans.
By late 1975, Noel owned a number of successful car dealerships in Melbourne and under the urgings of Craig Kimberley, he joined the committee of the South Melbourne Football Club.
Naturally, he became the go-to for Swans players looking for new cars and he was always happy oblige.
Noel was on the South Melbourne committee during the tumultuous period in 1981 where the relocation of South Melbourne to Sydney had tensions running high.
Though an emotional time for all, Noel was a member of the committee that supported relocation of the Swans. In many respects, it was a courageous position to hold as many other lifelong Swans supporters passionately objected to the move, and such he was branded a traitor.
During that time, he was among a small group that flew to Sydney, working non-stop for 48-hours to gain proxy votes from Swans members to support the move.
Whilst it had been tough on Noel to see his beloved Swans relocate to Sydney, he knew it was the only option for the long-term future of the club.
Swans Hall of Fame member Tony Morwood, who enjoyed a long friendship with Noel after first meeting him in 1977, recalls him as a man that had time for everyone.
Morwood recalls in the late 70’s early 80’s, Noel and his wife Marlene delighted in entertaining the players and partners at their Harkaway property, enjoying games of tennis, the pool and a full range of beverages.
For matches played at nearby Waverley Park, the team would assemble at the Gould’s property for brunch and final meetings before the first bounce.
While Noel enjoyed success at many levels, he would often declare the success of the Swans one of his greatest achievements.
For such a significant contributor to the club, he asked for little in return. In the words of Craig Kimberley, ‘he was always giving, never taking’. ‘He always wanted to help and never said no’.
Noel was a much loved and respected member of the original Southerners coterie and then the Blood Brothers, where he rarely missed a lunch.
Over the past few years, Noel, though in his 80s, was a regular participant on the Swans Foundation Golf trip to Queenstown. He loved spending time with his Swans comrades and spending quality time with current and past players.
He was incredibly passionate and proud of his football club.
The Club extends its deepest condolences to his wife Marlene, his children Louise, Emma and Sam, his sons in law Michael and Neil and grandchildren Jack, Max, Violet and Evie.
Vale Noel. Rest in peace.
