Vale Wests Magpie John ‘Snoozer’ Elford

[tiger_one]

So sad the news overnight of the passing of 1966-1976 Magpie John ‘Snoozer’ Elford.
Originating from the Mid North Coast, John played 116 First Grade games for the mighty Magpies and represented for the Australian Kangaroos in 1972

 

[diedpretty]

Sad news - John was a good friend of my wifes family in Kempsey. Met him on numerous occasions for a beer and a chat. Always turned up with a bag full of oysters. Great bloke will be sadly missed.

 

[innsaneink]

He was playing when I first started following the Magpies
Condolences to the family

 

[coivtny]

He was a good player. I seem to remember he reinvented himself as a second rower at the back of his career. He used to come on in the second half and make some devastating runs. Good bloke too.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Loved watching him with my young mates on Lidcombe hill ….. a tough nut for a backline player in the early days and yes …, he transitioned well to back line role.
I seem to remember him pile-driving Beetson and getting penalised for it.
RIP ….l very sorry to hear his passing.
unfortunately that generation (which includes mua!) is sadly thinning.

 

[Jux]

One of my all time favourite magpies. Very sad news.
There’s a great photo floating around of him dumping Dennis Fitzgerald. Should be immortalised just for that !

 

[Todd Packer]

I loved watching Snoozer and his elbows play. He was as tough as they come.
R.I.P. John and thanks for all the great memories.

 

[The-moP]

R.I.P. John Elford ..

Described as a great defender and an incredible force in attack, rugby league great John Elford has passed away at the age of 76.

A one-club second-rower for the Western Suburbs Magpies, Elford played 116 games for the club between 1966 and 1976, scoring 42 points.

Born in Casino, northern New South Wales, he began his rugby league career as a winger but would transition into the forwards - a position he is mainly remembered for.

Elford's best season would come in 1972 when he was awarded for his good form with selection into the New South Wales and Australia teams. However, he would unfortunately miss the 1972 World Cup after sustaining an arm injury in the lead-up to the tournament.

Away from the field, he was a pioneer of player rights. This saw him sit out the 1969 season after winning a court battle alongside Balmain Tigers player Dennis Tutty. The duo fought against the old NSW Rugby League's transfer system, which saw the clubs virtually own the players.

 

[Todd Packer]

One of my all time favourite magpies. Very sad news.
There’s a great photo floating around of him dumping Dennis Fitzgerald. Should be immortalised just for that !

This was the photo on the cover of the first issue of Rugby League week.

 

[Todd Packer]

 

[Todd Packer]

 

[Todd Packer]

He was a good player. I seem to remember he reinvented himself as a second rower at the back of his career. He used to come on in the second half and make some devastating runs. Good bloke too.

Yeah mate.
All his best football was in the back row. He was picked for Australia as second rower. He was a fearsome player that many opposition players would have had sleepless nights about.
He was true Wests clouds of dust, buckets of blood.
Too many Magpies have passed in the last couple of years.

 

[westTAHger]

R.I.P condolences to family and friends

 

[momo_amp_medo]

http://www.prattenparkmagpies.info/?page_id=1122

 

[Don Kershane]

Nice guy . Had a chat with him at the Smokey Retreat cafe SWR Rocks. Very much a Magpie .

 

[851]

Very sad news, another Magpie stalwart dies, RIP Snoozer

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Very sad for his family RIP. I thought he was Shane‘s father, but looks like no relation.

 

[innsaneink]

View attachment 10059
This was the photo on the cover of the first issue of Rugby League week.

Not many pretty boys back then

 

[Snidest 0]

Not many pretty boys back then

Dennis Fitzgerald still looking dapper



Was once a fairly decent administrator for Parra - until he wasn't....

"The Emperor"...

At least The Epping Club doesn't have a football team for him to interfere with.

 

[coivtny]

A good story on Snoozer by Roy Masters.

How rugby league rule breakers became rule makers

Former Test second-rower John Elford, who died last weekend, will be long remembered.

www.smh.com.au