St Kilda has had more senior players than any other League club. 1577 men have played senior footy for the Saints. Whether they played one game or 300 games, each has a story to tell as part of the fabric of our great club. They will always be a part of the red, white and black story and we want to re-connect with them.
As a young bloke, Steve Allen was a Carlton fan which presented him with an unusual dilemma when he made his debut for the Saints at Princes Park on May 1, 1982.
“I lined up on my favorite footballer Bruce Doull . I didn’t know whether to stay out there or run back up the race and grab the autograph book!”
Steve Allen was a Carlton fan before debuting with St Kilda.
Steve was one of the many Saints recruited from the Ballarat zone. His club, Golden Point has a long history of producing League footballers and wearing the No.23 guernsey he became the 1265th St Kilda senior player when he ran out 33 years ago.
One problem with journeying down to Melbourne was that he had to swap shifts with fellow workers in the Country Fire Authority.
“I owed so many shifts that I had to work every day the following summer!”
After his nine senior games in 1982 he returned to play with Golden Point the following year and played for the Ballarat Interleague side. Saints coach Tony Jewell wanted him to come back to St Kilda for another run , but it didn’t eventuate. He played with Geelong club St Albans under the coaching of Alan Mangels for a year, then another season at Golden Point before a work transfer to Wangaratta where he played in the Ovens and Murray League.
He would then move to Shepparton where he reached a senior position with the CFA before recently retiring.
“I’ll probably get down there to Melbourne a bit more, now. In the past I haven’t been able to make it down to the past players functions.”
Steve harks back to that day of his debut.
“Bruce Doull went off late in the game. I think he had leather poisoning by then. They moved Robbert Klomp onto me and that was a bit easier.”
*Saintsearch is seeking out former St Kilda players and officials. If you are a Saint player or you know of ex-Saints contact Nicole Bertuna at the club on 8765 4378 or email Nicole.Bertuna@saints.com.au St Kilda has more past players than any other club and we want to stay in touch.
Can you help with this week’s Saintsearch for the following players – Ivan Baumgartner, Doug Booth, Glen Coghlan, Tony Delaney, John Dowling and Aldo Dipetta.
Past Players can find details of past players functions and pay for membership, by going to the Saints Past Players and Officials online shop at
https://saintspastplayers.myclubstore.com.au/store/registration/P-0001052/saints-search
