LIFE MEMBERS – Darren Adey and Tom Cooper

This is the second year that Darren has been nominated for Life Membership. This year he received three nominations.

Darren’s contribution to the BFC has been with both the Junior and Senior Clubs. 

Darren’s children, Lochie and Lauren are both Blackburn Players, and through their Junior days, he was a Junior Team Manager from 2008.   He was Assistant to Mark Edwards in Social Media / Newsletter in  2011 and 2012 and continues to manage BFC social media arrangements today. 

Darren’s assistance to players in the transition from Junior Club to Senior Club played a significant part in the Under 19’s Premiership in 2013 and Reserves Premiership in 2016 where he fulfilled the role of Team Manager.

From BFC Assistant Secretary 2013, Darren served as Club Secretary in 2014 and continues in the role through 2022, while being the first contact for correspondence with Council, EFNL, and State Government.

Potentially driven by emotion to see both Lochie and Lauren as Senior Blackburn players, Darren championed Women’s Football at Blackburn. Combining Junior Girls and Senior Women, Blackburn now has the highest female participation rate in the EFNL. Causing himself a logistical fuss, he is often seen running between two games on Saturdays supporting family and club.

Darren was instrumental as Coordinator and Project Manager of the Blackburn History Book, first published in 2020.  

All this, while providing ongoing assistance and support to Past and Present BFC Presidents; MacLeod, Connelly, Breen, Johnson.

Darren Adey was presented with the Life Membership by Trevor Howard. The pair worked very closely in both Juniors and Seniors and they share an amazing bond. Darren was Trevor’s Team Manager when they won the 2013 Under 19’s Premiership. 

Congratulations Darren Adey

Life Member Tom Cooper

This is the second year Tom has been nominated for Life Membership.  Tom has completed the required 10 years of paying service to the BFC from 2010 to 2019. Tom has played 171 games for the Club including 5 years as Captain of the Reserves. He successfully captained his side in numerous finals during these years including the 2016 Premiership.

Tom has made a significant contribution to the Club’s off-field advancement culture and reputation through the performance of voluntary work and other contributions to the Club. Tom did great work on the field but his best work was always off the field. He was tremendous in assisting with the unique culture that exists at the Blackburn Football Club. 

Thursday night’s Swoopers Office – no one at the Club was off-limits from the President to the new recruit, girlfriends, parents, even the Swooper’s Office sponsor Tobin Brothers Funerals. 

Tom served as a player representative on the General Committee for a number of years and has also been heavily involved in the player’s social committee over many years. Since retiring as a player Tom has taken up the role of Assistant Coach. 

Tom Cooper was presented his Life Membership by Michael Prendergast. Prender and Tom are close mates and represent The Blackburn Football Club together. Prender was the first person to nominate Tom for Life Membership.

Congratulations Tom Cooper