If Kevin Murray is the most prevailing figure from Fitzroy’s 100-year VFL/AFL history, then Bill Stephen would run a close second.

In fact, Murray himself affectionately refers to Stephen as ‘Mr Fitzroy’.

In terms of his contribution to the Club, he has done it all.

He played 162 senior games, coached a total of 214 matches across four decades (a Fitzroy record), and later served on Fitzroy’s match committee.

Stephen won two Fitzroy Best & Fairest awards as a player (in 1950 and 1954), developed an intimate knowledge of the game under the tutelage of the great Norm Smith, and also received the AFL’s Jack Titus Award in 1996 for his outstanding service to the game.

Only last year he was inducted as one of 17 inaugural members of the Brisbane Lions’ Hall of Fame.

On Wednesday 31 July, the Fitzroy-Brisbane Lions Historical Society will further honour Stephen’s achievements at their annual Museum Dinner held at the Veneto Club, Bulleen.

A range of players who plied their trade under Stephen, as well as some of his former teammates, will be on hand to share their stories about the Fitzroy icon.

With tickets available from $65 per head (including a three-course meal), it presents an ideal option for the Club’s Victorian faithful to reminisce about an important period in Fitzroy’s proud history.

A limited number of special pre-function tickets are also available for $115 per person, and include pre-dinner drinks with the past players in attendance, a complimentary photograph with the guest of honour, and priority seating inside the function room.

All money raised will also help support the planned extensions to the Historical Society Museum located at Etihad Stadium.

For bookings and/or event enquiries, please visit the Historical Society events page on the Club’s website.

Alternatively, you can call Museum Committee members Arthur Wilson (03 9432 6213) or Bob Forrest (03 9801 1596) for further information.