The Phillip Island Football Club has lost one of its most dedicated supporters

Jim Gislingham passed away on October 5.

In a Facebook post, the club described him as one of the club’s “all-time greats”.

“How lucky we were to have had you at every home game for 30 plus years,” the post said.

Club members flooded the site to pay tribute, describing Jim as a “true gentleman”, “absolute legend” and “the best game-day gate man ever”.

When Jim called time on his cherished role as gatekeeper in 2019, he shared some of his memories of decades of island football with the Advertiser.

“I looked forward to Saturdays. I’d talk to everyone as they came in. There was always a bit of banter at the gate,” Jim said at the time.

Mostly people were friendly he said, except when the admission price went up. And over the years, he endured plenty of jokes about his devotion to Richmond in the AFL.

Firm friendships were forged and that was evident on his final day on the job, with one lady driving over from Warragul to say goodbye and present him with a card and a tatts lotto ticket.

Over the years, Jim saw plenty of changes at the club.

His stories of finals from bygone years included whole town celebrations, with all of Cowes decked out with flags and streamers and the streets covered in red, white and blue.

There was also a bit of bone-crushing.

“In the old days, we always played Wonthaggi. There were broken ribs and broken noses. There was a headline in the paper one year – Bass Valley Blood Bath,” he recalled.

He was glad things on the field calmed down, but he missed the festivities that used to accompany the big game.

“In those days, everyone was interested. It was a different game back then. Footy was the focus of the town.”

Through it all, he never lost his enthusiasm for the game, or his belief in the importance of footy for the island’s young players.

“Football gives them something to do and shapes their outlook on life,” he said.

“That kept me interested, seeing these kids growing up.”

Many of those kids he watched play are now grown up and have kids of their own. In his own family, he went from barracking for son Shayne, to watching his adored grandson Jess take to the field.

On his final day as gatekeeper, the club presented Jim with a plaque, commemorating his years of service.

Then all the footballers came out and gathered around him, to wish him farewell.

“They came and shook my hand. That felt great. It’s good to be acknowledged.”

And he’s being acknowledged still.

In a tribute published earlier this month the club described Jim as an “esteemed Life Member and lifetime volunteer”.

“The top gate just won’t be the same without Jim," they said.

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