John Albert Watts (later known as John K. Watts, 21 January 1937 – 3 June 2017) was an

Australian rules football Australian football, also called Australian rules football or Aussie rules, or more simply football or footy, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an Australian rules football playing field, oval field, often a modified ...

player and radio broadcaster and television personality. He worked in the police force before starting his football career.

Football career

Watts debuted for the

East Perth Football Club The East Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Royals, is an Australian rules football club based in Leederville, Western Australia, current playing in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) and WAFL Women's (WAFLW). Formed in 1902 as the Unio ...

on a half back flank against Subiaco at the age of 17 in 1954 and would become a regular player with the club. In 1963 he was a member of the Geelong football team. In 1966, Watts moved to Tasmania to Captain/Coach the Hobart Football Club. This success would make him the only Australian rules football player to have played in three premiership sides, for three different teams, in three different states. He retired from playing football in 1968. It was during these events that he wrote several club anthems. He wrote the

Swan Districts The Swan Districts Football Club, nicknamed the Swans, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) and WAFL Women's (WAFLW). The club is based at Bassendean Oval, in Bassendean, an eastern suburb ...

and

Geelong Football Club The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed the Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club based at Kardinia Park in South Geelong, Victoria, Australia. The club competes in the Australian Football League (AFL), the sport's premier comp ...

theme songs. In March 2008 he was inducted into the

West Australian Football Hall of Fame The West Australian Football Hall of Fame was created in 2002 to recognise significant contributors to Australian rules football in Western Australia. Candidates are players, coaches, umpires, administrators and media representatives. The induct ...

Media career

After retiring from football, Watts began working in radio and television. Over a span of 30 years, he worked with multiple television and radio stations. He wrote for comedians

Bob Hope Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an American comedian, actor, entertainer and producer with a career that spanned nearly 80 years and achievements in vaudeville, network radio, television, and USO Tours. He appeared ...

and

Harry Secombe Sir Harry Donald Secombe (8 September 1921 – 11 April 2001) was a Welsh actor, comedian, singer and television presenter. Secombe was a member of the British radio comedy programme ''The Goon Show'' (1951–1960), playing many characters, mos ...

and made contributions to magazines and published his own joke books. Watts appeared on TVW 7's inaugural televised Football Panel and World of Sport segments, hosted by Ross Mewburn Elliott. He appeared on the Football and Sports review on Channel 7 News and became a familiar entertainer and panelist on TVW 7's Telethon.

Work with George Chapman

In the early 1970s, John Watts received an offer from George Chapman, the head of Perth Radio Station 6PM, to collaborate with popular DJ and radio producer Barry Martin in creating a variety-style radio program. By the late 1970s, they had earned the moniker of the "Dynamic Duo". They welcomed Qantas Airways' first B747 to Perth, promoting the Australind Train Service to Bunbury, and celebrating the relaunch of the Indian Pacific Train Service (for which John Watts penned another song).

Business career

John K Watts ventured into the world of business and owned several radio stations and hotels in Perth. His entrepreneurial endeavors expanded to encompass various football, horse-racing, and hotel ventures, solidifying his reputation as a highly accomplished businessman. During this period, Watts had the idea to integrate a West Australian team into the Victorian Football League (now known as the Australian Football League), however, rival factions within the West Australian Football League boycotted this proposal. Unfazed by the opposition, John rallied the support of figures such as Lindsay Fox and Alan Delaney, who shared his vision. Their collective efforts eventually led to the birth of the

West Coast Eagles The West Coast Eagles are a professional Australian rules football club based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and first competed in 1987 as one of two expansion teams in the Australian Football League (AFL), then known ...

Personal life

John Watts had three daughters: Joanna, Donna (deceased), and Venessa, as well as two sons named Luke and Jonathon. Throughout his life, John entered into three marriages. In the year 2000, he married Lorraine Watts, his third wife, in Las Vegas. They resided in Scarborough, a coastal city in Western Australia. During his lifetime, Watts faced various health challenges. He underwent surgery to remove a malignant melanoma from the back of his neck during his football playing days and continued to play football while recovering. In the year 2000, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Later, in November 2011, he received the diagnosis of a form of bone cancer. On June 3, 2017, Watts died at the age of 80. His departure occurred at his home in Scarborough, where he found solace in the serene presence of the Indian Ocean.

Discography

Studio albums

References

External links

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"'Fair dinkum, unbelievable' loss"
: John K. Watts on Davis {{DEFAULTSORT:Watts, John K. 1937 births 2017 deaths East Perth Football Club players Geelong Football Club players Geelong Football Club premiership players Hobart Football Club players Hobart Football Club coaches West Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees Australian radio personalities Australian rules footballers from Perth, Western Australia VFL/AFL premiership players