More than 550 guests turned out to the ‘This is Your Life’-style event at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium, including Bolton’s family, friends, former coaches and team mates, with the format kept secret from the guest of honour until Friday night.
Bolton, who was fittingly seated on stage on a leather lounge suite, recounted stories of his football journey with his parents John and Rosalie, wife Lynette, recruiter Ric Barham, team mates Michael O’Loughlin and Paul Williams, as well as former house mates Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and Heath James, who provided some entertaining insights about Jude’s early years at the club.
Speaking to SwansTV on Friday night, Bolton said he was “humbled and completely overwhelmed” to be honoured in such grandiose fashion by the club.
“I knew my family were going to be here and a few mates and things like that, but just to have so many people here, I just feel very humbled and flabbergasted that people have taken the night out to come and celebrate,” Bolton said.
“I’m just chuffed.
“Tony Morwood (General Manager – Melbourne) told me that they normally do a luncheon down in Melbourne for our Melbourne members and said that they might put a lunch on for me, which I said would be great.
“As it’s turned out, it’s at Crown and there are all these people here and I’m just a bit rocked by it at the moment.
“I’m just very thankful.”
Jude Bolton and his father John on stage at the Crown Palladium last Friday night
From his training routines to his “questionable” taste in dance music, nothing was sacred on the night as Bolton’s family and friends entertained guests with all there was to know about the famous number 24.
Despite being noticeably embarrassed on a number of occasions – particularly when ‘Fitzy’ and James were on stage - Bolton said he was able to find the humour in the stories shared, regardless of how many times his blonde highlights and ‘pretty boy’ looks were mentioned.
“There are a few stories that should never come out to be honest,” he said.
“You have a long career and there are things that you don’t want coming out, but when you’ve got good mates that are willing to spill the beans it’s part and parcel.
“But in all seriousness I count myself so lucky to have played in successful sides across my journey, but also for the mates along the way.
“I’ve had so much support from family and friends.
“I’m just extremely lucky.”
In addition to the many light-hearted stories shared about Bolton, the 325-game player also received a very special tribute from club legend, Bob Skilton.
Skilton presented Bolton with a commemorative guernsey, which highlighted that while Bolton was the 1,297th debutant at the club, he was the first Sydney Swans player to retire with two premierships next to his name.
“There’s one special line on Jude’s jumper that we’re all envious of, and all of us who have worn the red and white just love the fact that Jude’s will say two premierships,” Skilton told SwansTV on the night.
“He’s the first of the retirees that has two premierships on his jumper.
“We didn’t have jumpers like that back in Vic Belcher’s day and he was the last one to have two premierships for us.
“It’s just terrific that Jude has played a big part in the club.”
Skilton went on to describe Bolton as a “special” player, who always gave his all on field.
“You knew every time whether Jude was playing well or he wasn’t playing well, you knew he was giving his heart and soul,” he said.
“It was written all over him – the way he tackled, the way he chased, the way everything annoyed him – if we weren’t doing well, it was shown on everything about Jude.
“Jude has proved himself to be something special.
“You felt confident when he lined up for goal and he didn’t miss too many that he should have kicked.
“He’s just one of those guys.”
