Tomorrow, Monday February 21, marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Port Adelaide patriarch Fos Williams.
Williams, born in Quorn, South Australia, joined Port Adelaide from West Adelaide in 1950.
He forged a dynasty never before seen in Australian football winning nine premierships as coach, including five-in-a-row from 1954 to 1958. Williams took a break from coaching in 1959 when Port Adelaide claimed its national record sixth premiership in a row.
Williams returned to Alberton in 1962 when he penned The Creed, a manifesto underpinning Port Adelaide’s values and expectations. He led Port Adelaide to flags in 1962, 1963 and 1965.
Williams resume is remarkable. As a player, he represented West Adelaide in 54 games and followed by 151 games for Port Adelaide. In his 205 league game career, Williams kicked 375 goals. He was also a two-time Port Adelaide best-and-fairest winner (1950 and 1955).
Beyond his league career, Williams represented South Australia on 34 occasions.
Williams coached a total of 619 games – 447 at Port Adelaide, 18 with South Adelaide, 109 for West Adelaide and 45 State games.
In 1996, Williams became an inaugural inductee into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Port Adelaide will celebrate the remarkable legacy of Williams with a two part documentary starting tonight.
The documentary features interviews with Fos’ sons Mark and Stephen, daughter Jenny and his brother Glynn. It also includes interviews with fellow Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees David Parkin and Kevin Sheedy and features never before seen vision from the Williams’ family archives and audio of Fos’ pre-game and half-time speech from the 1956 Grand Final.
Port Adelaide General Manager – Media and Communications Daniel Norton said it was a privilege to celebrate the life of Williams.
“Fos was a pioneer and a legend of our club both on and off the field,” Mr Norton said.
“His playing and coaching style laid the foundation for decades of success that would ultimately see Port Adelaide ascend to the national competition. Williams captured Port Adelaide’s values and beliefs in The Creed in 1962, which is still treasured today.
“His legacy forever remains at Alberton and it is an honour to share his remarkable story on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
“On behalf of the club, I thank the Williams family – Jenny, Mark and Stephen – for their support in producing this celebration of Fos’ life.”
