VALE Robert “Bob” Farnham

Robert Farnham – 19/11/1938 to 25/3/2024

The Norwood Football Club is saddened by the loss of Robert Farnham.

Bob was a great Norwood man and an outstanding contributor to the sport in South Australia, as a player, coach and adminsitrator.

He was a Life Member of both the Norwood Football Club, and the SANFL.

In 1959 Robert Farnham was a state amateurs representative and made his League debut for Norwood in Round 9, 1960.

He played two senior games in his first season under coach Alan Killigrew, who would have been impressed by Farnham’s tough, team-orientated approach. Best suited as a small defender or rover, Farnham only played one more League game the following season.

However, he did have two solid seasons in the Reserves. He was selected as a back-pocket in the 1960 Grand Final against Port Adelaide, which resulted in Norwood winning its first Reserves Grand Final for 21 years: 9.7 to 8.5.

In 1961 he was named on the bench for the Reserves Premiership decider against West Torrens when Norwood made it back-to-back flags as it downed the Eagles : 12.17 to 7.10.

Farnham was a fine player in the amateur league (SAAFL) for both Payneham and Goodwood Saints, and he regularly represented South Australia in interstate football. He was a SAAFL State representative in 1959, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1966 – the last two years whilst at Goodwood.

In 1964 he was captain of both the State amateur carnival side and Payneham, in their Premiership year. He coached Goodwood in 1965 and 1966, and Payneham from 1967 to 1969.

Farnham was appointed coach of the Norwood under 19 team in 1970, and went on to win flags in 1971 and 1972.

After finishing his coaching stint with the 19’s in 1973, Farnham took on the roles of Chairman of Selectors/Match Committee (1974-79). He was also a NFC committee-man/board member (1978-90) and Chairman of Management Committee (1979-80)

He served as a SANFL Director (1980-90) and was on the SANFL national league sub-committee (1981-90).

He became a Norwood Football Club life member in 1980, and a SANFL life member in 1990

Robert Farnham was born on 19 November 1938 and passed away on 25 March 2024