2013 has been a year of milestones for St Kilda.

Two Saints champions, Nick Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo, have played their 250^th matches in the 140^th year of the club’s existence.

For avid Saints supporter Gavin Healy 2013 marks another milestone. It is the 50^-year anniversary of his first St Kilda match – one he still remembers vividly.

“The first game I went to was in June, 1963 and it was St Kilda versus Melbourne at the MCG,” Healy recalls.

“I can remember players like Bill Stephenson, Alan Morrow, Ron Barassi and Hassa Mann playing in that match.”

But there was one player Healy was particularly taken with.

“I can remember Darrel Baldock getting the ball at centre half forward and blind turning around several players and kicking a goal. I remember noticing how short he was in relation to the other players. I think he was only five-foot-nine or five-foot-ten.”

Baldock and other “glamour players like Neil Roberts, Ian Stewart and Carl Ditterich,” were the reason Gavin and his brother begun barracking for the Saints.

It was a decision that proved an intelligent one just three years later.

“My brother and I were very glad we went for St Kilda, because we saw a premiership while we were still at primary school (in 1966).”

Five years on Healy saw the Saints play in another Grand Final and was by then old enough to truly understand its significance.

“We only lost by seven points. I can remember the noise of the crowd and the thrill of watching such champion players,” Healy says.

By that time the club had become part of him.

“I thought there’d be many other premierships after that time but I’m still waiting for another one.”

Healy says those early grand finals, and all the ones the Saints have played in since, have been highlights.

“I’ve been to four losses and one draw and they’ve all been highlights – those successful periods. My particular highlight in the last 50 years is Brendon Goddard’s mark near the end of the 2010 drawn Grand Final because I thought we had them.”

While Healy’s only witnessed one St Kilda premiership, he feels privileged to have witnessed the careers of Tony Lockett, Carl Ditterich, Ian Stewart, Trevor Barker, Nick Riewoldt, Robert Harvey and Brendon Goddard.

Healy does his bit to ensure St Kilda stays well supported by buying memberships for his family each year.

“My brother and I have nine memberships in total,” Healy says.

“We’ve been members for many decades.”

Though 2013 has been a difficult year for the Saints, Healy is happy with the way the club is progressing and sees another flag on the horizon.

“I’m pleased with the development of the club,” he says.

“You have to stick through your club through thick and thin. I can see the plans for the club and the way it’s moving forward towards sustained success.