Dashing left-footer Mark Browning was born to play with the Swans, even though two rivals clubs thought otherwise.

Browning’s father Keith was a talented centreman who played 53 games for South Melbourne from 1951-54 before coaching Victorian country club Trafalgar for 14 years.

As Trafalgar also was known as “the Bloods” because of its red and white striped guernseys, Browning saw football only through these colours.

“We didn’t get telecasts when I was growing up, but I remember feeling filthy if I heard on radio that the Victorian selectors had named Bob Skilton on the bench,” he recalled. “I barracked for the Swans and idolised Skilton.”

Keith Browning, who worked as a depot manager for a biscuit company, was transferred to Wangaratta when Mark was 10 years of age and, after four years there, North Melbourne started sniffing around.

When Mark’s father then was transferred to Melbourne as the state sales manager, the family moved into Fitzroy’s suburban zone, with Mark playing for the same club - Beverley Hills - that spawned Paul Roos.

“There was a bit of a tussle between North and Fitzroy and when the Lions heard that I was tied to the Kangaroos, they tried to convince me to stand out of football for a year so that I would be eligible to play with Fitzroy,’ Browning explained.

“But both North and Fitzroy were wasting their time as I only wanted to play for South and I made my debut with the Swans in 1975.”

He therefore signed with the Swans under the father-son rule as, at that time, the requirements was for his father to have played 50 games with the club (it now is 100).

Browning’s first match was against Hawthorn and, after coming off the bench, was clobbered by Hawk defender Ian Bremner.

“That was tough enough, but the next week I copped Richmond’s Francis Bourke and then Carlton’s Alex Jesaulenko,” he said.

Browning’s career took off in his second year with the Swans and he credited coach Ian Stewart with his development.

“Stewie was a marvel with younger players,” he said. “He helped my development by putting me on the best and most experienced players.

“I would cop Melbourne’s Robert Flower or North’s Wayne Schimmelbusch on the wing and then be forced to play at full-back on Fitzroy’s Bernie Quinlan.”

Browning’s career hit a road-bump in 1979 when he had to have knee reconstruction surgery and he recalled that it was an extremely daunting prospect in that era.

“I spent 16 days in hospital with a full plaster and was not allowed to walk. Geelong’s Jack Hawkins had a knee reconstruction on the same day and was never the same again, so I was luckier than most.”

Browning was Swan vice-captain when the club shifted from South Melbourne to Sydney in 1982 and although he gave the club wonderful service in the Harbour City, likes to think of himself as a South player.

“Don’t get me wrong,” he insisted. “I was always in favour of the move and love the way the club has thrived in Sydney, but I had my best years with South Melbourne and represented Victoria eight times to when we relocated.”

Browning captained the Swans from half-way through the 1984 season to the end of the following season, but modestly insists he was a better vice-captain than a captain.

“I was vice-captain over eight seasons and was more than content to be just part of the leadership group,” he said.

Browning’s superb playing record led to his induction into the Swans’ Hall of Fame and he rates this as his greatest football honour, even though he once won a Simpson Medal as best on the ground for Victoria in a match against Western Australia.

“I didn’t know I would be inducted until my name was called out and the honour almost knocked me over ... to have my name alongside someone like Fred Goldsmith. Wow!”

Browning coached Hobart for five years (one flag) following his Swan retirement in 1987 and then coached Queensland club Southport for two seasons before accepting a position as the AFL’s Manager of Academies and Talent in NSW and Queensland, a Queensland-based position he still holds.

One of his many “discoveries” was current Swan talent Jesse White, while he also spotted Collingwood’s Lachlan Keeffe, among others.

And all the while keeping a close eye on his beloved Swans.