Club Announcement - Vale Tim Thomas

It is with great sadness, the club wishes to inform the University Blacks community of the sudden passing of MUFC Life Member Tim Thomas (TT) who died peacefully in the company of family at the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Tuesday March 23.

In the 24 hours prior, TT was visited by many friends from his time at the Blacks and heard an array of well wishes and tributes sent by those who were fortunate enough to spend time with him over the years.

For those involved with the Blacks, TT epitomised both the club and the surrounding Carlton area – he had the verve of a uni student, the wit of an academic, and, thanks to the many miles he covered through his passion for running, the ubiquity and charm of a terrace house. If you were new to the club and the area, TT was someone who could make you feel at home.

Following his playing days with the Blacks, TT was the deliverer of both messages and water to generations of Uni Blacks players from the 1980’s through the last game played for points in 2019.

Of the many photos taken of on-field and off-field celebrations over the years, TT and his beaming smile feature prominently. Often this involved TT wearing the green runners kit, as part of a role he filled during the back to back D1/C Grade flags of 2004-05. The role as runner was tailor-made for TT’s blend of fitness, dedication to the club, love of the players and ability to manage the challenge of linking the focused coach and weary footballer.

Once the game was finished, TT was always happiest amongst players, coaches, support staff, and anyone else who wanted to hear about the Blacks, usually in the front bar of the Clyde Hotel. The bigger the celebration, the bigger the grin. 

The club passes on its deepest sympathies to TT’s family. He was a humble and selfless man who made the Blacks a better place.

Tributes from the Presidents:

“In November last year when I learnt that TT was unwell, upon his discharge from hospital, we agreed to meet at the University Oval and thereafter to dine at the Clyde.

It was a beautiful Spring evening and, by and large, the Main was in superb condition. As we surveyed the sacred ground (which was a labour of love for us both), we inspected and analysed (as we had done many times before over many years) the usual hotspots – centre half-forward at the Trinity end, the northern or Pavilion wing and the Queen’s flank. We lamented that some miscreant had practised his or her golf swing and the evidence was there for all to see.

Dining at the Clyde, we discussed all the issues over (I think) a chicken parma and a couple of pots, might’ve been a pint. Later that evening, an exchange of text messages occurred between two men whose friendship and love of University sport was into its fourth decade. In the best traditions of the Blacks that exchange evolved into an exchange in Latin, the last of which was “Blackers unus omnium” – Blackers one and all.”

          - Andrew Donald, President of Melbourne University Football Club

“In my mid 40’s my wife and I took up Masters Athletics after spending many a weekend watching our daughter competing, whilst noticing a number of more mature athletes who seemed to be heart and soul of the AV Shield competition.

One of the great joys of my five years or so on the aths track was running into and occasionally against TT, usually at relay days, AV Shield Finals and in particular when the Milers Club ran at Melbourne Uni, where his two favourite worlds co-existed on campus.

No-one embodied the spirit of athletics more than TT, competing in the Open Age Group well into his 50’s and being the heart and soul of the team, something he’d perfected at the Uni Blacks.

Regularly TT, would corner me between races and ask how pre-season recruiting was going, who was coming back next year and our prospects for the upcoming winter. More often than not, he knew the answers better than I did.

A more humble and dedicated servant of the Uni Blacks there has not been in my lifetime, a man whose dedication and commitment knew no boundaries, he asked for nothing and gave everything of himself and we were all so much better for having him.

TT will be irreplaceable and the Club will work closely with his family to honour him in a manner that would make him proud.”

          - Nick Carah, President of University Blacks Football Club

 Details will follow in the coming days regarding funeral and service arrangements, with the locations and times to be posted and shared as soon as they are indeed confirmed. Please keep an eye out on your email and our Facebook & Twitter pages for these details.

Vale Tim Thomas