It is with deep sorrow that we must inform you of the demise of Wiley Austin, a legendary member of the club.In 1978, when Wiley was just 19 years old, he became a member of the Hampton Rovers and rapidly established a reputation for being a tough, determined, and brilliant football player.
Not only was he revered by his teammates, but he was also revered and feared by his opponents. His contributions, both on and off the field, were enormous.Wiley was officially recognized into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2016, and he is a Life Member of the organization himself. He was considered to be the “heart and soul of the football club in some very lean years,” according to those who knew him.
During his time with the club, he participated in 162 games and held several positions, including Senior Captain for five years, Committee member and member of the club executive for three years, Bar Manager, Pavilion Manager, and recipient of the Most Determined trophy.
Those who got the opportunity to compete in the green and gold with Wiley were awestruck by his attack on the ball as well as his tremendous physical strength. He was a goliath off the ground, and his contributions over the course of twenty years will be extremely difficult to emulate. He was as big on the ground as he was off the ground.
