Graham Huggins
Encyclopedia
Graham G. Huggins was President of the St Kilda Football Club in the Victorian Football League
(now known as the Australian Football League
) from 1959 to 1979, and remains the club's longest serving President.
During his time as President, Huggins oversaw the appointment of Allan Jeans
as coach of the Saints, and Jeans successfully guided St Kilda to the 1965, 1966 and 1971 grand finals, winning the premiership in 1966.
Along with highly regarded club secretary Ian Drake, Huggins engineered the move of the club to Moorabbin in 1965, and this netted immediate financial benefit for the Saints, as well as coinciding with one of the most successful on-field periods in the club's history.
In 1976, Huggins, then VFL
vice-president, was a considered a strong chance to assume the position of President of the League. He withdrew from the contest to remain with St Kilda, and Dr Allen Aylett
became VFL President at the beginning of 1977.
Huggins stepped down from the St Kilda Presidency in 1979, but continued on the board until 1981, at which time he retired after a quarter of a century involved in football at the highest level.
The remaining grandstand containing the social club facilities at Moorabbin Oval
is named the G. G. Huggins Stand in honour of Huggins.
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
(now known as the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
) from 1959 to 1979, and remains the club's longest serving President.
St Kilda Presidency
Huggins was a Melbourne businessman and company director, and assumed the Presidency at St Kilda in 1959, after serving on the committee from 1954. Huggins was also vice-president of the club between 1980 and 1981.During his time as President, Huggins oversaw the appointment of Allan Jeans
Allan Jeans
Allan Jeans was an Australian rules footballer and coach. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame at its inception in 1996...
as coach of the Saints, and Jeans successfully guided St Kilda to the 1965, 1966 and 1971 grand finals, winning the premiership in 1966.
Along with highly regarded club secretary Ian Drake, Huggins engineered the move of the club to Moorabbin in 1965, and this netted immediate financial benefit for the Saints, as well as coinciding with one of the most successful on-field periods in the club's history.
In 1976, Huggins, then VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
vice-president, was a considered a strong chance to assume the position of President of the League. He withdrew from the contest to remain with St Kilda, and Dr Allen Aylett
Allen Aylett
Dr. Allen Aylett is a former Australian rules football player and administrator. He was the chairman/president of the North Melbourne Football Club during the 1970s and then again from 2001–2005...
became VFL President at the beginning of 1977.
Huggins stepped down from the St Kilda Presidency in 1979, but continued on the board until 1981, at which time he retired after a quarter of a century involved in football at the highest level.
The remaining grandstand containing the social club facilities at Moorabbin Oval
Moorabbin Oval
Moorabbin Oval, also known by its sponsorship name of Linen House Oval, is an Australian Rules Football ground in the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia at Linton Street in the suburb of Moorabbin....
is named the G. G. Huggins Stand in honour of Huggins.