The Brisbane Lions are mourning the loss of long-time trainer and Life Member, Kevin Elms, who sadly passed away after a long battle with illness on Easter Monday.

Elms – who was affectionately known as ‘Kevvy’ or ‘Elmsy’ – is believed to have been the longest-serving club trainer in VFL/AFL history, with over 50 consecutive years of service for Fitzroy (1962-96) and the Brisbane Lions (1997-2017).

A loveable larrikin, he served under 23 senior coaches and developed close relationships with countless players from Fitzroy and the Lions over the journey.

One of his favourites was three-time premiership player Jonathan Brown, who visited Elms at his home in Heidelberg last week to farewell his great mate. Brown had known Elms since he was just a young boy and would visit the change rooms when his father, Brian, played for Fitzroy. 

 

It was no surprise to see Brown pay tribute to ‘Elmsy’ during Fox Footy’s ‘On The Couch’ program on Monday evening.

Elms’ love of Fitzroy ran so deep that the news of the club’s merger with the Brisbane Bears in 1996 caused him serious health concerns. The photograph taken of him embracing Ron Alexander following Fitzroy’s final AFL match remains an iconic image from that part of football history.

But the colours and the song were enough for Elms to continue his association with the newly merged entity, the Brisbane Lions, who would ultimately provide him with one of his finest moments in the game – the 2001 AFL Premiership.

It took Elms 42 years to experience the pinnacle of the sport, and he was fortunate enough to be part of the premiership-winning off-field team in each of the following two seasons.  

Kevin Elms will forever hold a special place in the Lions’ hearts and history.

The Club extends its sincerest condolences to Elms’ wife Alice, his children Tracey, Bill and Kevin Jr, and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.