Former Fitzroy player Kevin Higgins passed away on Saturday at just 68 years of age.

Recruited from Sandhurst (in the Bendigo League), Higgins started his VFL career with Geelong where he played 128 senior games from 1970-78 before being transferred to Fitzroy ahead of the 1979 season.

He played every game for the Lions in 1979 (including two Finals) and polled eight Brownlow Medal votes, but managed just the solitary appearance the following season.

Higgins played a total of 25 games for Fitzroy – all in the #14 guernsey – and was the 959^th player to represent the Club in a senior game.

Following his time in the VFL, Higgins returned to Geelong where he enjoyed a successful stint as a player and coach in the local GFL League – twice kicking 100 goals in a season (1981 & 1982).

The Club will publish a tribute for Higgins in tomorrow’s Herald Sun classifieds.