Vale Bill Jacobs … a true legend in every sense of the word.

[Lord's Taverners Australia - VIC]

 

Bill Jacobs passed away on Friday July 29, 2011, aged 93.

 

He played 266 consecutive club matches for Fitzroy Cricket Club between 1937 and 1956 coming from the Brunswick Cricket Club. He claimed 448 dismissals, as a wicketkeeper, and was captain/coach of their 1953/54 premiership team, having played in two earlier grand final victories.

 

He also played football; in the then VFA, with Brunswick.

 

An outstanding administrator, Bill was a Victorian State selector for many years. He was manager, Australian Cricket Team, tour of South Africa 1966-67, he also managed the Rest of the World team that toured Australia, after South Africa was exiled in 1971-72. He then led the Australian tour of the West Indies in 1973.  

Bill was better known for his work as a football caller for 3AW for 34 years, covering 25 Grand Finals.

 

Overall Bill was involved with Victorian cricket as a player, administrator and selector for 65 years.

 

In 2005 the Lord's Taverners ‘honoured’ Bill with LEGEND status and also his son, Ken in 2010.

 

**The Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club has put together a wonderful Eulogy on the Cricket Victoria website, please click here to see this article.