President of the Geelong Football Umpires League Life Members Association, Mick Robinson, has achieved a very impressive and extensive record of football and umpire related activities during his lifetime.   In addition to his current role as President of the GFUL Life Members Association, the 70 year old has crammed a great deal more into his life than any ordinary person could possibly imagine.   He has been an umpire, player, administrator, currently sits on the Geelong & District Football League Tribunal and more recently, has become a football special comments radio broadcaster with the Football Geelong Media team.     If this is not enough for one man, especially a 70 year old, Mick has added another string to his bow by stepping out of retirement, after a 35 year lay off, to umpire the Reserve Grade game between Newcomb and Anglesea on Saturday 4th August.

Mick had wandered down to Newcomb’s home ground to watch one of his old clubs when news filtered around the club that the normal Newcomb Reserves Club Umpire was unavailable and after the club had exhausted all options to find a replacement, Mick quickly stuck up his hand.   The last time Mick had umpired a game was back in 1972, 35 years ago when he was half the age he is now, and had never umpired in a two umpire system.   Fortunatley the Anglesea Club Umpire had been a former GFUL Umpire and was able to help Mick understand the “new” two umpire system. 

Mick said that it was a terrific game played in the right spirit of grass roots footy and that he had really enjoyed it.   Mick was also pleased with the sportsmanship shown by both clubs and the very sporting gesture by some of the players in shaking his hand after the game.

Any thought of a permanent comeback has been put on hold until Mick recovers from the stiffness which settled in after the game.  Perhaps another lengthy spell of around 35 years before his next game would be in order.