John Lightfoot, the Newtown front rower from the 1950s, celebrated his 80th birthday on the 25th February 2009. Now living at St Martin De Porres Hostel at Waratah, John was pleasantly surprised when St George great and Men of League Newcastle & Hunter Valley President, Johnny King recently visited John with two of Mr Lightfoot’s old comrades, Frank Treflo and Noel Gilmore.
The quartet were revisiting memory lane. All pleased to see that John Lightfoot was in better health.
After playing all his junior football at Warratah, John Lightfoot was recruited to Newtown from Wests Newcastle. John played every first grade game for Newtown in 1952 in a side that included some of the club’s greats such as Dick Poole, Colin Geelan, Bob Whitton and Kevin Considine. He also played for the Blue Bags in 1953 and 54.
Men of League have also put John in contact with Dev Dines, the former Wests five-eighth who was a member of the Magpies 1952 premiership team as well as Dick Poole and Kevin Consadine.
If there are any former Newtown players wishing to get in contact with John Lightfoot they can contact him on (02) 4960 3230.
Noel Gilmore - former Maitland player in the 50's, John Lightfoot - former Newtown player in the 1950's and Frank Trelfo - former South Sydney and Maitland player in the early 40's.
Photo: Men of League Newcastle & Hunter Valley President, Johnny King.