Devon Meadows players pause to remember Ted and Rob Flannigan before Saturday’s match against Cranbourne. Inset: Rob’s widow Helen (left) was supported on the day by long-time friend Pat Talbot, who flew in from Singapore the night before to be at the game. Pictures: Luke Plummer.
By Brad Kingsbury
THE latest in a long list of tributes to the Flannigan name at Devon Meadows was paid on the weekend, when the social rooms were officially named the Flanigan Pavilion in memory of father and son Ted and Rob Flanigan.
Both passed away last year, Ted after battling illness and Rob as the result of a car crash six weeks later.
Players, officials and a huge crowd of supporters from Devon Meadows and Cranbourne Football Clubs observed a minute’s silence before the start of their round one Casey Cardinia league match in honour of the occasion.
It was a fitting tribute to the Flanigan family, which was represented by three generations of the clan at the Glover Reserve.
Rob’s wife Helen, who runs the Devon Meadows canteen, said the naming of the pavilion was a great honour for her and the family.
An hour earlier Helen’s day had another highlight when her great friend Pat Talbot lobbed at the ground in a surprise visit after a seven and a half hour overnight flight from Singapore.
Pat, who has been close to Helen since they attended school together in Doveton, moved to Singapore with her husband Kevin 10 months ago but has kept in close contact since.
She said that, after talking to Helen on the phone on Friday night, she decided that she had to come over and support her.
“I said to Kevin that I should be here, so I got onto the internet and booked a flight that night,” she said.
“I got in at 9am and came straight here to the ground. I am so happy I did.”
Helen and Rob went over and visited the Talbots in August, a month before Rob died, and Helen could not believe her eyes when Pat knocked on the canteen door.
“I couldn’t believe it. I’m a bit emotional,” she said.
“There were a few of us and we all grew up together and they’re all here. It’s great and so good to see Pat.”
Devon Meadows president Michael Brick made the dedication and acknowledged the contribution of Ted and Rob to both the club and community.
“Ted was a great administrator, worker and adviser and it’s easy to see where Rob got his ability and humour from,” he said.
“Rob was the heart and soul of the club and his contribution to the club and the community can’t ever be under stated.”
