Sydney Swans great Bob Skilton has told of his pride at the heights his Club has reached after it was announced on Tuesday a sculpture would be unveiled in his honour.
The Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend will next month be immortalised with a bronze statue at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park, the home ground where Skilton captured the hearts of the red-and-white faithful.
The Club had Skilton’s backing as it packed its bags in pursuit of the Harbour City – and the triple Brownlow Medallist says the Swans have climbed massive mountains in becoming the Club it is today.
“We nearly fell over before we went to Sydney and then we nearly collapsed again in Sydney,” Skilton told Macquarie Sports Radio on Wednesday.
“I give Richard Colless the credit. From the moment he took over as chairman the Club started going upwards rather than downwards.
“We did have our moments. We were very close to folding a few times and it’s just great the way the Club has stood up. They’ve now become a Club that we’re very proud of.”
South Melbourne originated in 1874 and a number of administrations did their best throughout the 1960s and 1970s to keep the Club alive.
But diminishing attendance and memberships nearly resulted in bankruptcy and in 1982 the Swans relocated to Sydney in a move to remain alive.
The Swans’ first taste of premiership success since the relocation came in 2005 and they added to their silverware in 2012.
The 2005 flag was the Club’s first since 1933 and broke what was the longest current premiership drought – 72 years.
Skilton said the two flags silver-lined the relocation from Melbourne.
“We’ve had a couple of premierships since the move and that’s what it’s all about,” Skilton said.
“It’s a team game and it’s just great to think we’re going the way we are.”
The words carry mammoth weight in light of the career Skilton enjoyed.
The Sydney Swans Hall of Famer (2009) topped South Melbourne’s goal-kicking in 1959, 1962 and 1963.
He was named captain of the Sydney Swans Team of the Century and AFL Team of the Century and represented Victoria in 25 state games.
He coached the Swans across 1965 and 1966 and the Club’s best-and-fairest award was renamed the Bob Skilton Medal in 1995.
