Whether he is overseeing proceedings from the boundary, in goals or watching on from afar, no-one can question Brian Harrington’s passion and love for the game of football.
After a storied playing career at Benalla All Blacks came to an end in 1981, Harrington made the decision to take up umpiring the following year, with his love for running driving him to stay connected to the game.
“I just love running,” Harrington said.
“I didn’t run much in my 20s but took it up in my 30s, I used to do some country and long distance running over in Wangaratta and always liked that.”
A fortnight ago, it was game number 1000 for the 72-year-old, who brings up his special milestone to highlight an incredible 41-year career on the umpiring circuit.
“I started as an umpire in ’82 and did the boundary at All Blacks until ’94, and then joined the umpires board at Wangaratta when GV Division 2 took over the league,” Harrington said.
“I’ve been there ever since and I’m still going 41 years later.”
A broken wrist and family commitments saw Harrington’s playing career come to a close in 1981, but umpiring, Harrington said, was always a logical next step.
“Our third child was on the way and I was still playing cricket,” he said.
“Footy training was Tuesday and Thursday, and sometimes even Sunday.
“I was also treasurer from nine in the morning till nine at night, it took up a fair bit of time and umpiring was always something I wanted to have a go at.”
Across his sparkling career, Harrington has officiated 220 games from the centre of the ground, 463 on the boundary and 317 in goals.
He’s seen it all throughout his 1000 games and has umpired numerous grand finals across the region, and has been a part of multiple league transitions over the years.
“I did the Central Goulburn League grand final on the boundary in 2002 and the Ovens and King grand final in ‘99 up at Tarrawingee,” Harrington said.
“I’ve done about seven or eight Benalla District finals on the boundary and quite a few Ovens and Murray games along the boundary.”
Harrington has officiated four more games since his 1000th, and will see out the Ovens and King finals’ series this year.
There’s no sign of slowing down, either, with a trip across the Bass Strait scheduled next month when Harrington will compete in Tasmania at a state cricket tournament.
“Cricket starts up in October, I’ll play in the over 70’s National Championships in Launceston for Victoria,” Harrington said.
“You’ve got to keep yourself moving — keep going while you can.”