It is with regret that the Association has learnt of the passing of Col Rae, Life Member of the Belmore Eagles Club and a prominent coach of Association Representative teams in the 50's,60's & 70's
Col Rae, passed away late last week at his home in Belmore where he had lived his life. Col was amongst the most successful coaches of representative teams of the CDSFA. One example of this was the Under 14 CDSFA Representative Team who were Sate Champions in 1961. The team had three players who would go on and become Socceroos. These players were Jim Fraser, Col Curran and Dennis Yaager. A quite man, Col lived for football. He followed the game with great diligence and last October attended the Champion of Champion fixtures at Arlington Oval. Col never owned a car or a telephone. When he was coaching he rode a bike to all the training and match day venues and used public transport.Col was amongst the first people nominated by the Belmore Eagles Club for a Cec Barlow Award in recognition of a life time of service and commitment to football at both Belmore Eagles Soccer Club and as a representative coach of the CDSFA. Former Socceroo, Jim Fraser, rated Col Rae as one of the best coaches he had come across. "Col was a man ahead of his time. Even in the modern game, Col would have been would have achieved success. He was thoughtful, analytical and able to get the best out of players as individuals and to instill team work amongst a squad of players". Col's funeral service will be held on Friday morning 22 January at 10.00am at the Church of Christ, Belmore located on the corner of Burwood Road and Chalmers Street.
