The Port Adelaide Football Club is saddened by the passing of long-time administrator, Chairman of Selectors and coach Brian Fairclough.

A member of the Port Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame, Mr Fairclough coached the club’s under 19 team to four consecutive premierships in the 1970s before then coaching the reserves to premierships in 1980 and 1988.

After coaching at junior level, Fairclough became a selector in 1979 and then chairman of selectors in 1990, holding that position until 1998 including in the club’s foundation years in the AFL.

Fairclough was also a foundation AFL Club Board Member in 1997 and 1998, served on the SANFL Club Board from 2000 to 2009 and has chaired the PAFC Life Membership and Awards Committee continuously since 2003.

Port Adelaide chief executive officer Matthew Richardson said the news of Fairclough’s passing had been met with sadness across the club.

“Brian has been a wonderful Port Adelaide person over many decades and his contribution to the club was continuous since he started with the U19s back in the 1970s,” Mr Richardson said.

“While he was a talented coach in his own right, he formed a formidable partnership with John Cahill as a loyal assistant and selector, playing an instrumental role in an incredible 16 premierships with the club at various levels. He was a key part of a team of people who drove an incredible era at Port Adelaide and I know he’ll be fondly remembered by the people he shared that journey with.

“I’ll remember him as a kind and generous man who was a very astute football person and a great Port Adelaide person. He will be sadly missed.”

Brian Fairclough passed away this week at the age of 88.

Mr Richardson expressed his condolences to Mr Fairclough’s son John, and his wider family, and to his former clubmates and friends.