Allan Stiles

Our Club Patron, Allan Stiles, started his illustrious football career right here at South Perth Junior Football Club in 1955 when he was just eight years old – as part of an Under 14s team, known as the ‘Mosquitos’.

“At that time, we played in yellow cotton shirts, with a green number, and I proudly wore number 4,” explained Allan. “There was no real competition, just a march past and knock out (round robin) day.”

He went on to win his first football trophy in 1956 – for only missing two training sessions throughout the season! During his time playing for the Club, he was part of three Premiership sides, and in every Combined side from when he was 12 to when he made the move to Perth Football Club in 1965.

“I was exceptionally lucky at South Perth. I was fortunate enough to
have very good coaches and to be part of great teams.”

In his first year at Perth Allan won a Premiership and Fairest and Best with their Colts side. The next year he made his League debut. Allan won the Reserves Fairest and Best for the next two years, as well as the Premiership and Prendergast Medal in 1968.

“Tough, aggressive and close checking, he made life very difficult indeed for the opposing teams resting rovers. When he retired in 1975 he had played 150 WANFL games for the Demons, plus three for the State highlighted by a Simpson Medal for his performance against South Australia at Subiaco in 1970.”

Author, John Devaney [source: Full Points Footy’s WA Football Companion]

Allan retired from football at the age of 27.

Away from football, another of Allan’s passions is the movies having been born into the cinema business.

“As a boy I used to be at the cinema or drive-in with my father or making a nuisance of myself while my mother worked in the Box Office (at Grand Cinemas Cygnet).” says Allan.

His mum and dad were both heavily involved in this exciting industry which he made a start in at the age of 19. Over the years has worked in all facets of the industry, both here in Perth and on the east coast. Today he is the Managing Director of Grand Cinemas seven sites across Western Australia.

Last year his lifelong commitment and achievement in the industry was rewarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Independent Cinemas Association of Australia (ICAA).

In recognition of his great contribution to the game of football, and the clubs he played for, Allan was made a Legend of the Perth Football Club in 2009 and became the inaugural Patron of the South Perth Junior Football Club in 2013.