A Lifetime Of Dedication To Southland Football

At 87, Bill McLean is still making a difference in Southland football – a sport he has supported with heart and soul for more than 70 years.

Bill’s connection to the game began at age 11 when a friend introduced him to a casual kickaround. From that moment, he was hooked. He played for Southland Boys’ High School before joining Thistle as a teenager – the club where his father had once been a founding member. He would later become a life member himself.

He went on to represent both Southland and North Otago, and was even selected for a Buller side – though he missed the match, having boarded a ship to the United Kingdom on the same day. His most memorable playing achievement came in 1969 when he helped Thistle reach the South Island final of the Chatham Cup – one of just two Southland teams ever to do so.

A car accident at 34 brought his playing days to a halt, but it didn’t stop his commitment to football. Instead, it marked the beginning of a lifelong journey in football administration, coaching, and leadership.

Over the years, Bill has filled nearly every role imaginable. He coached and managed teams, served as a referee, and held leadership positions including president, secretary, and club captain of Thistle. He spent more than 20 years on the Southland Football Management Committee, was President of Southland Football for six years, and represented the region at both national and regional levels.

He also found time to write about football for The Southland Times, research the game’s local history, and take on the role of patron for the Southland Referees Association. His many contributions were recognised in 1991 when he was named Southland Sports Administrator of the Year.

Most recently, when he heard about the Pitch in Southland campaign to build a new turf, he didn’t hesitate to lend his support.

“I gave it a bit of thought, then just thought oh well, I could help out here… and that was it. Football has been a major part of my life, I’ve enjoyed it… why not do some good for the game?”

Southland Football Board Chair Nick Hamlin said the gesture spoke volumes about Bill’s character and legacy.

“Bill represents everything that’s good about football in Southland,” Nick says. “He’s given decades to the game, quietly, generously, and to benefit others.”

As Bill himself puts it, the game needs more than just players: “With the club administrators, past and present, there are a lot of people working behind the scenes … players go and kick a ball around, but there is a lot of work to make sure that happens.”

At 87, Bill is still helping to make that happen – one generous act at a time.