It was a bittersweet weekend for the club with Life Member Stephen Hope losing his battle on Saturday evening.
Hopey was well known at the club and a regular for as long as most can remember – attending matches both at home and away as well as Thursday night training at the club.
Despite being ill, he managed to get to the recent practice match at Doveton and made it to the first home game of the season on Saturday to watch his beloved Rovers defeat Kew in both the seniors and reserves.
Hopey used to operate the old manual scoreboard at Boss James Reserve in rain, hail, or shine, for many years, and it’s for that reason the club announced on Saturday that the electronic scoreboard installed at Boss James Reserve last year will from this point on be known as the Hope-Streat Scoreboard during each footy season. The late Peter Streat also featuring in the name as the major financial contributor to the project.
The announcement was made during the luncheon at which point the new name and photos of each flashed up onto the scoreboard, for Stephen and everyone in attendance to see. It was a moving moment and one that will be remembered.
As well as being one of the most dedicated supporters, Hopey also served on the committee of the club for many years, was club president for two years in 1988-1999 and treasurer for four years in 1996-1999. He is also a Life Member of the Rovers.
The club passes on its condolences to the entire Hope family.
The Funeral Service to honour the life of Mr. Stephen James Hope will be held in the W. D. Rose Chapel, Cnr Nepean Hwy and Marriage Rd, Brighton on Friday (April 13, 2018) commencing at 10:00am. Private Cremation No flowers by request, donations to Anti Cancer Council would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the Service. The wake will follow at Boss James Reserve.
The club is saddened by the passing of Stephen Hope overnight. Hopey was able to attend one last home game yesterday to witness two great wins by the Rovers. The club also announced the Hope-Streat Scoreboard during the Luncheon. More on the website shortly. 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/unoIcPVGrp
— Hampton Rovers FC (@HRAFC) April 8, 2018
Vale Jane Barnes
The club was also deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jane Barnes on Sunday evening. Jane was a truly inspirational person and had fought a long battle with leukaemia but sadly lost her fight. While there’s no doubting her number one VAFA club in Ormond (as well as the Saints of course), she was also a great friend of the Hampton Rovers and last year the club was honoured to host Jane’s Army Fun Run at Boss James Reserve. The event attracted over 400 people to raised funds for her treatment, the Alfred Hospital and Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision.
Jane also wanted to encourage people to donate blood and consider joining the bone marrow registry to help give someone hope. We want to reiterate this once again.
The club extends its condolences to former premiership coach Russell, Jude and the entire Barnes family during this incredibly sad time.
