Statement by Lions Chair, Andrew Wellington.

It brings me great sadness to advise that Club Director and Life Member Ross Thornton lost his battle with cancer yesterday at just 67 years of age.

Ross has served on our Club’s Board of Directors for the past decade, but his association with our Club commenced back in the mid-1970s when he was first recruited to Fitzroy as a player from Camperdown. 

He went on to play 146 senior games with Fitzroy from 1980-1989, winning Fitzroy’s Best & Fairest award in 1984, and even held off-field roles as Assistant Coach and Team Manager at the Lions prior to the merger.

Ross remained an avid supporter of the Brisbane Lions post-merger while forging a successful professional career with McDonald’s from 1998, before being elected to the Board in December 2014. 

A recognizable voice and face for our Melbourne-based members and supporters, Ross has since played a critical role in strengthening our engagement and relationship with the Fitzroy community – while his astute football acumen has also proven a valuable asset to our Club.

Ross was a proud Fitzroy man who passionately embraced the Brisbane Lions.

He made a significant contribution to our Club as a player, administrator, and Assistant Coach over a long period of time and was a much-loved member of our Lions family.

He was a popular figure who made an impression on every person he met and will be sorely missed by all. 

The Club will pay tribute to Ross at the Gabba next Sunday during our match against the Gold Coast SUNS. 

In the meantime, our thoughts and wishes go out to Ross’ wife Denise and his entire family.