VALE JACK ENSOR - A TRUE PERTH DEMON

The Perth Football Club has lost one of its true giants with the death of Jack Ensor. Jack was the architect of the club's greatest era without ever playing a league game, and remained an active member right up to the end. He was aged 88.

Jack's involvement with the club started in 1948 at the WACA ground when he played in the Seconds (now Reserves) side. He couldn't crack the strong league team which always made the final four, and then his employment took him to the Goldfields.

On returning to the city he became active in the club's district. In 1952 he helped form Perth's junior council, and the next year he became an umpire and umpires' organiser for the council. Perth's juniors became the league's pacesetters. He also found time to captain coach the South Perth Amateurs A team to a premiership.

But it was a decision in 1957 which led to Jack becoming involved in the club's engine room. The league decided to introduce the Thirds (now Colts) competition, and Jack accepted an invitation to take charge of Perth's inaugural team. It ranks among the club's best appointments.

Over the next nine years Jack coached six premiership sides. And many of his charges went on to make strong contributions - indeed became league premiership players - during what have become known as the "glory days".

Team fairest and best winners during those years included Pat Astone, Graham Jenzen, Graham Ramshaw, Frank Pyke, John Mills, Allan Stiles,  Barry Dalton, Terry Leen and Ken Burns. But all his players were "Jack's boys".

The club, by now at Lathlain Park, made more inspired appointments for the 1966 season. Malcolm Atwell crossed from East Perth as the new league captain-coach, Barry Cable was promoted to vice captain, and Jack became assistant coach. Malcolm added steel to a skilful league side and Jack provided not only valuable insight on the players but astute input from the boundary on match days as well. Barry was simply brilliant.

It was a winning combination. Premierships followed in 1966-67-68. In fact the Atwell-Cable-Ensor troika was probably the most potent leadership group in the history of WA football.

Jack also coached the Reserves team to a flag in 1968.

Understandably he was keen to try his hand as senior coach, but there was no vacancy at Perth. He was lured to Bassendean and coached Swan Districts from 1972 to 1975. He was then snapped up as Subiaco's Director of Coaching in 1976.

He also found time to influence the careers of thousands of teenagers through the State Schoolboys teams. He was a selector between 1960 and 1996 - 10 years as chairman - and coach (1970-80).

A measure of Jack's standing was the massive attendance at the club's annual Centurion fund raising lunch when he was the special guest. The affection and respect former players felt for their old coach was overwhelming.

Jack's personal honors (which he sometimes actively resisted) are testament to his standing in WA sport. In 1967 he was awarded club life membership. He was a selector for Perth's Team of the Century (1999) and an inaugural inductee in the club's Hall of Fame (2015). He was also a Life Member of the WA Football Commission (2014).

In addition he was a Life Member of both School Sport WA and School Sport Australia.

Jack was an active member of Perth's Nominations Committee right to the very end, and attended the reunion of the 1960s premiership sides at Lathlain Park in April.

With his passing football has lost one its most enthusiastic advocates and astute observers. And Perth has lost a favourite son. No Demon could have been more loyal.

The club extends its sincere sympathy to Jack's family

Vale Jack Ensor - one out of the very top drawer.