GFC Life Celebration of Ray Button

VALE RAY BUTTON

The Glenelg Football Club Board, management and players extend their deepest condolences to the family of former Tiger Ray Button, who recently passed away.

High-leaping left-footed forward Ray Button was one of the most spectacular footballers in Glenelg’s 100-year history. He kicked 245 goals in 135 games between 1963-72 and, despite playing mostly at half-forward, was the Tigers’ leading goalkicker in 1965 (61 goals), 1966 (37) and 1967 (45).

Glenelg secretary Ray Curnow described him as “our most spectacular high-flier since ‘Blue’ Johnston” and he brought the crowd to its feet in 1965 when he rode on the back of Port Adelaide’s Bob Elix to take a freak mark, one knee on his opponent’s shoulder, that is still talked about today. Button’s athletic skills had been developed at Ballarat Technical School, where he could leap above his own height.

A highly-popular clubman and team-mate, he will also be remembered for his stunning 11-goal haul against Woodville under new coach Neil Kerley in 1967.