METICULOUS in his work and passionate about the league he so dearly loved.

That's how former long-time Heathcote District league secretary and Mount Pleasant stalwart David Roulston is being remembered following his death earlier this month.

Roulston, who died on January 9 aged 84, is synonymous with the Heathcote District league given his 30-season stint as secretary from 1975-2004, while his legacy will continue to be honoured with the league's under-17 best and fairest medal carrying his name.

Roulston was renowned for his mountain of meticulous hand-written notes, attention to detail and encyclopedic knowledge of the league.

"David was always very particular... everything had to be spot on and he wasn't happy if things weren't done correctly, which he'd let you know in a sometimes subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle way," another HDFL stalwart, Ged McCormick, said this week.

"You would go over to his place and there would be sheets of paper and books of handwritten notes everywhere. If you wanted an answer to something, he'd get it for you, and everything he did in terms of recording his information was manual... when he started he didn't know what a computer was and when he finished he still didn't know what a computer was.

"For David there was always one way to do things, and that was the right way.

"His wife Beryl (with whom he married in 1969 and has children Andrew and Rosalie) was a great support to him; if he didn't know where something was she'd certainly know.

"He was passionate about football, passionate about the league, passionate about Mount Pleasant and really passionate about young players."

Roulston's particular interest in the development of the competition's younger players was recognised in 1986 when the league named its under-17 medal after him in what's one of his many accolades through more than 40 years administrative involvement at the HDFL and Mount Pleasant, in which he is a life member of both.

"He was very methodical... he wrote everything down, never left any stone unturned and he wasn't caught out making too many blues," said former HDFL president Gavan Poole.

"Everything David did was always spot on and the way he recorded every player who played a game, every result and every vote in hand-written books must have taken him hours upon hours, year after year, and I certainly don't think anyone would dispute that anything he said wasn't true.

"And one of his great past times was writing poems; they were always a feature of the grand final YABBA and very clever."

One such poem penned by Roulston that featured in the 2000 grand final YABBA edition read:

THE FINAL TEST

We've come now to grand final day

With six teams left to play

Where three will show the crowd that watch

They're the best teams on the day.

Selectors of the teams involved

Have chose the players best

To challenge the opposing team

And put them to the test.

Players all times will prove their skills

On ground or in the air

To show the crowd what they do

Is sportingly and fair.

The clubs all have endeavoured to

Present the best they could

For some it seemed an easy task

Whilst others not so good.

Administrators too have done their best

To keep the league in mission

And help the clubs within its grasp

Survive the competition.

But whatever is the verdict

As the sirens ring to close

We trust that all enjoyed the year

Of the selected sport they chose.

So as we view grand final day

Whether it be win or fate

We know football's the greatest sport

The best within the state.

Prior to taking over the HDFL secretary role in 1975 after agreeing to "give it a try for one year", Roulston - the eldest of seven siblings whose introduction to football was playing in the chocolate brown jumper of Goornong as a youth - had been involved in administration with Mount Pleasant between 1962 and 1974 as delegate, secretary and president.

The "Mount Pleasant Mutterings" on grand final day of 1967 describe Roulston as a "conscientious secretary who is not one to make rash statements, but is quietly confident of today's grand final result."

And he was right - Mount Pleasant beat Heathcote to win the second flag among a premiership hat-trick between 1966 and 1968.

"No matter how we were travelling, David was always really positive about Mount Pleasant and the people at the club," Mount Pleasant's David McNamara said.

"He had a real soft spot for Mounts and he'd get to the footy when he could, especially to watch the kids.

"He was really passionate about seeing the young players develop and was really proud to have the under-17 best and fairest for the league named after him."

While his official duties with the league ended in 2004, Roulston maintained a keen interest in the competition and was on hand at the league presentation day in August last year to present Elmore's Rhys Holmberg with the under-17 medal named in his honour.

"At finals time in the HDFL he had to attend all three finals on the day and be at the ground by 9am for the first bounce. He'd take a thermos of tea or coffee and a sandwich and wouldn't leave the ground until after the final bell and saying his farewells, usually up to half an hour later," Roulston's brother, Bevan, said.

"When he'd attend a function he'd always look for someone that he didn't know and, to make them welcome, would introduce himself and have a chat."

A committal service will be held for Roulston at the Runnymeade Cemetery from 10.30am next Thursday, followed by a service of celebration at the Rochester Uniting Church from noon.

Upon his retirement from the league secreatry role in 2004, Roulston's final thoughts in signing off still ring true for sporting administrators more than 15 years on: "be a good listener, learn from others, stay calm and don't get upset over comments made in relation to decisions."

Wise words indeed.

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