Multitudes of tributes continue to flow in to mark the passing of one of Gisborne’s most illustrious sporting and community identities — 87-year-old Tom Sankey.
Recognised as one of the all-time great footballers in the Riddell District, he played 455 games for Gisborne from 1952 to 1977 and won a record four Bowen Medals — the league’s highest individual best and fairest award — 11 Gisborne FNC best and fairests, four runners-up, and three goalkicking awards.
“Tom Sankey was a true Bulldog whose dedication, generosity and community spirit embodied everything we hope to inspire in future generations of footballers and netballers. His contribution to our club will never be forgotten,” Gisborne FNC stated.
“Tom’s legacy will live on through the club, the facilities and the community he helped shape.”
Acknowledging his passing, the Riddell District Football Netball League stated that his exceptional ability, dedication and sportsmanship set a standard for others to follow.
Recognising the shortage of sports facilities for football and cricket, he enlisted support of a friend with a bulldozer and ensured the area north of Gardiner Reserve was levelled and a cricket wicket was constructed. The grounds known today as Sankey Reserve were named in his honour in 1983.
“Tom represented everything grassroots sport is built on –passion, generosity, hard work and community spirit,” was how Gisborne Rookies summed up his positive impact on helping youngsters develop their football skills.
Speaking to several old timers from other football clubs, they all expressed the utmost respect for Tom — a true Sporting Legend!
“Tough but fair” seemed to be a condensed summary, and I recall watching him playing and his ball winning ability was second to none over a lengthy period.
“That little Sankey boy can kick all right” was the observation of street football which led to Tom playing his first game for Gisborne at the age of 13.
He was a regular for the Bulldogs at 14, and won his first club B&F aged 17.
On the cricket field Tom was also a fine competitor, with the bat and ball, and behind the stumps.
Bowen Medals came along in 1963, 1965, 1967 and 1969.
The 1967 medal was awarded retrospectively, as Tom had been reported against Lancefield, then cleared at the tribunal hearing.
A rule at that time meant a player was ineligible, just because he was reported … fortunately commonsense prevailed and this was eventually scrapped, meaning Tom was a joint winner with Riddell champion Ron Howard for that year’s medal on 22 votes.
Tom played in inter-league matches on 10 occasions, and also gained further experience at VFL level.
As a volunteer with Gisborne Fire Brigade, he ran in inter-brigade championships.
MARK OF RESPECT
For more than four decades, Tom proudly wore the Gisborne Cricket Club colours, building friendships, celebrating premierships and helping progress the club to its strong position today.
“Tom wasn’t just part of our club’s history, he helped create it,” a spokesman said.
At the weekend, all Gisborne Cricket Club players wore black armbands during their matches as a mark of respect and gratitude for his extraordinary contribution.
For Tom, cricket wasn’t just a game; it was a lifelong passion. He was still playing cricket and keeping wicket up to the age of 81!
He played some cricket games for the Victorian Over 70s and Over 80s.
From the early 1950s through to the 1992-93 season, he played 348 games for GCC, still a club record for the Dragons. He played in six First XI premiership sides.
Life memberships and Hall of Fame recognition understandably came his way from football and cricket governing bodies.
Tom was born in the old Gisborne Hospital in Morrow Road to Jack and Florence Sankey (nee Ladd), his father coming from Shropshire in England and working for the Country Roads Board.
Due to World War 11, there was a shortage of teachers, and Tom did not start school until he was eight, staying with an aunt in Bendigo.
The family finally settled in the old Brady farm on Brady Road in Gisborne; he became astute at catching rabbits to supplement the diet.
After leaving school at 14 he showed he was never afraid of hard work, and bought a trucking business and ran it for 20 years as Sankey Transport.
Tom married Colleen Toohey, from Werribee, in 1970, and they moved into a house Tom was building in Station Road.
They had three children, Shane, Helen and Janine.
Tom’s work ethic in work and sport continued unabated, and over the years he amassed a remarkable collection of sporting memorabilia.
Illness struck Colleen and after a lengthy battle, she passed on in 2013.
Vintage machinery and cars became another interest for Tom in later years, and his interest in watching grandsons on the sporting field, as well as staying closely connected with the Gisborne football and cricket clubs — often encouraging new players to do their best and enjoy their sport — continued. He regularly made jumper presentations to new players.
Tom resided in Lancefield for some years and established a good relationship with the football-netball club and cricket club. LFNC even stated it has “forgiven him” for kicking late goals in the 1962 grand final, costing the Tigers the flag by a goal!
NOTE: There was an overflow attendance at Christ Church, New Gisborne yesterday (Monday) afternoon for the funeral service. After burial at Gisborne Cemetery, a wake was held at Gisborne Golf Club.
