Vale Fred Hutchison

Football Victoria extends sincere and deep condolences to the Hutchison family on the sudden passing of Fred Hutchison on 1 February 2019.

Born in 1927, Fred Hutchison was a long-serving and dedicated official with more than 50 years experience in administration and development.

We place on record our appreciation of his contribution of over 50 years to our great game, starting with his arrival in 1952 from the UK where he had been a qualified Referee leading to interstate and international level at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games.

He was appointed to the top matches retiring in 1959 and was Chairman of the Referees’ Committee for 5 years, then Football Manager at Wilhelmina Ringwood Club when they imported the Holland International Players De Brukyere and Van Alphen.

Holding various positions on the several Victorian Committees over 24 years led to his accompanying Michael Weinstein & Theo Marmaras in the discussions with the various States and principally NSW, who were seeking to form the new Federation.

Their negotiations were successful and led to further dialogue to allow Australia’s re-entry into FIFA after payment of an agreed fee.

In 1964 Fred became Team Manager at Hakoah and rebuilt the team, which had been a Leader in the 1950’s with many Socceroos including Captain Tom Jack.

Fred arranged for 29 Players from overseas and 8 locals to join Hakoah including Internationals Ted Smith & Gerry Chaldi, imports including John & Jim O’Neill and Jim Armstrong & George Keith who later became Socceroos. Fred found them accommodation and jobs, many as PE Teachers, although they were unqualified, they were able to assist in Youth Coaching. Obviously several Players joined other Clubs and an overwhelming numbers stayed in Australia.

In 1962, Fred helped create the Victorian Soccer Federation.

Hakoah won the Dockerty Cup in 1966 and was Runner Up in the Australia Cup to the great Sydney Hakoah team in 1967 and Fred retired in 1970.

Fred soon after became a referee’s inspector and in 1975, after 24 years as a member of the Appeals Board was made a Life Member of the Victorian Soccer Federation.

Fred received FIFA and IOC awards in 2001 for services to soccer and in 2003 Fred was inducted in the Football Australia Hall of Fame in recognition of many years contribution and we are thankful for these efforts.

The Funeral of Fred Hutchison will be held in the Renowden Chapel, Springvale Botanical Cemetery, 600 Princes Hwy, Springvale on Friday 8 February 2019 with a service commencing at 12.15pm. No Flowers by Request. In lieu, a donation may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the Chapel.