Vale Brian Atkinson

West Perth Football Club is deeply saddened by the loss of former club chairman, long-time supporter and prominent historian Brian Atkinson, aged 86.

A supporter from the late 1940s onwards, Brian rose to public prominence when his encylopaedic knowledge of WAFL football, especially relating to his beloved Cardinals, saw him win multiple television football quizzes in the 1970s.

He joined the club as a member in 1964 and was elected to the board of directors in 1981, serving as vice president/vice chairman from 1984-1986 and then as chairman in 1987 and 1988.

Many West Perth supporters will remember with fondness Brian’s club history book, released in 1985 to coincide with the centenary of football in WA, which was called West Perth Football Club 1885-1985.

His interest in facts and figures continued after publication and in 2008 he reprised his efforts, publishing through the club the updated It’s a Grand Old Flag – A History and Comprehensive Statistical Analysis of the West Perth Football Club 1885-2007.

He remained a passionate follower of football in his later years, becoming a strong critic of the involvement of AFL clubs in the WAFL and a regular letter-writer to newspapers.

A dentist by profession, Brian also served on the WA Football Commission from 1992-1995, the Australian Football Hall of Fame selection panel, and the WA Football Hall of Fame selection panel.

He was made a life member of West Perth Football Club in 1989 and of the WAFC in 2005.

We offer our condolences to his wife Maria, his three children and four grandchildren.