The Sydney Swans are mourning the death of Kenny Williams, who left us on Tuesday at the age of 93.

Kenny was not only our most passionate and recognisable supporter.

He was family.

The oldest child of American sailor Roy Williams and Bendigo girl Nora McCormack, Kenny was born in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy in 1929, but spent much of his early life living in Port Melbourne, just a short walk from Lake Oval, home of the South Melbourne Football Club.

His grandmother loved footy, and she taught little Kenny to love South. He often spoke of the day he saw the great Bob Pratt kick his hundredth goal of the season. And, of course, he was one of the almost 76,000 people packed into the MCG to witness South’s 1933 Grand Final victory. The Bloods truly were in Kenny’s blood.

His family, like so many others, did it tough during the 1930s and 40s. His mum, now raising the kids on her own, needed Kenny to bring in some money, and his paper round was not enough to provide for the family of four. At the age of eleven, he was sent to work as an apprentice jockey at Bob Sinclair’s stables at Flemington Racecourse. He loved the horses, and he loved living in the hay loft above their stables. For the next ten years, he provided for his family, worked hard, and kept barracking for South Melbourne.

At the age of 21, he was presented with a wonderful opportunity - to move to Sydney and become an apprentice jockey, riding trackwork for the great trainer T.J. Smith.

On a night out with friends at the Colonnade nightclub in La Perouse, Kenny met the love of his life, beautiful young Yvonne. Coincidentally, she too came from a racing family - her uncle, with whom Kenny ultimately worked, was a trainer with stables in Kensington.

Kenny was 24 and Yvonne 19 when they married in 1953. Eventually their little family grew, with the arrival of daughters Cheryl and Diane.

Kenny enjoyed life in Sydney, but there was one thing he sorely missed - his beloved Swans.

Imagine his joy in 1982 when South Melbourne moved to the SCG, just up the road from his home in Kensington.

Kenny, along with Yvonne and an ever-increasing group of friends, became a permanent fixture behind the goals at the Paddington end.

He rarely missed a training session, referring to himself as a “hydration specialist” ever since the day Ron Barassi asked him to run water when they were short of staff one time.

Only when Covid disrupted training sessions going into the 2020 season did the players have to learn to get by without Kenny filling and handing them their water bottles.

He also became a constant in the lives of players and staff past and present. The longstanding tradition of young players at the Club, away from their homes and families, being regularly treated to Yvonne’s magnificent baked dinners as they were welcomed into the Williams family, began in the 1980s and continued for decades.

It was Rodney Eade who first invited Kenny into the rooms to sing the song with the boys after a victory. His rousing renditions of “Cheer, Cheer” will live long in our memories. Never has a team song been belted out with such gusto as by Kenny, in the middle of a circle of exhausted and elated footballers, after the 2005 and 2012 Grand Finals.

Perhaps the only time he was happier than those Grand Final days was the night in 2002 when he and Yvonne were made Life Members of the football club which had meant so much to them, and to which they had made such an enormous contribution.

Kenny loved a laugh and a yarn. He loved a tall story. He loved going on cruises. He loved a beer, and he loved the salt and pepper squid from the Chinese restaurant up the road. He loved talking racing. He loved talking footy. And he genuinely loved everyone at the Swans.

We loved him.

Our hearts go out to Yvonne, Diane and Cheryl. Kenny’s family is, by definition, our family, and we send you our love and deepest sympathy.

Rest in peace, dearest Kenny. How fortunate we were to have you in our lives.

Kenny's family has asked that in lieu of flowers people donate to the Sydney Swans Foundation.

Tributes

Jude Bolton

Kenny was legendary long before many of us arrived at the club.
We had seen him celebrating wildly after a Swans’ goal or leading the victory song.
But as soon as I turned up I got to meet the larger than life character, witness his enduring love of the club and feel the warmth of his big heart when he and Yvonne had me and countless others around for dinner.

I loved hearing the stories of his ‘hey day’ and the questionable characters he would hang around at the race track, or the opposition superstars he would berate from over the fence at the SCG, trying to put them off their game.

His passion was undeniable and infectious. At times when he was so riled up you could understand about 10% of what he said - but it was filled with expletives “Stick it up those mongrels ….. (mumble). Go and smash 'em….. (mumble)…..I love you boys!”

And we loved him.
Great football clubs are built on volunteers and supporters with the passion and loyalty that Kenny has shown.
He will be missed dearly.

Condolences and thoughts go out to Yvonne, Diane, Paul and the kids.

Kieren Jack

It’s hard to put into words the impact Kenny Williams has had on the Sydney Swans.  Players and coaches come and go, but Kenny has been a constant.

Day after day we would see Yvonne drop Kenny to the club, give him a kiss goodbye, and he would make his way down to the rooms. With a big smile and contagious laugh, he had names for everyone. "Jacko" was mine and to this day he is still the only person to ever call me that!

You could always feel his love for the club and his eagerness to help however he could.
I’ll never forget the 2012 premiership and Kenny in the middle of the team circle, cup in hand. He was so wound up and excited we had to grab him and pull him back as we feared for his health!

Our hearts go out to Yvonne, Diane and everyone who loved Kenny. It’s been a tough week for the red and white family. The news of John Payne’s passing means we’ve lost two of the most loyal and selfless contributors the club has ever had. Thanks for everything guys, we’ll never forget you.

Luke Parker

Kenny’s face in the middle of the team song sums up what joy football can bring to people.
To have someone around the club that passionate about their team can only bring a smile to anyones face who encountered him.

I’ve had the pleasure of having Kenny around my whole career and the support and love he has brought every time you cross paths with him is second to none. From the boys playing pranks on him, to Kenny removing his false teeth for a laugh it was always a good time in his presence.

Kenny and his wife Yvonne have almost been another set of grandparents for the players. They would constantly have players around for dinner and would never miss a game. Their support never wavered and neither did Kenny’s big smile after a good win. He will leave a big hole at the Swans, but we know each week there will be a special bloke decked out in red and white watching on from above cheering his absolute lungs out.

It's been a very sad week losing two greats of our football club in Kenny and also long-time team manager John Payne. John was as loyal and hard working as they come and away trips were always a favourite with this great man in charge.  Sending my love to both families.

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