BIO

Familiarly known as ‘Ridley’, William Hayter was an active sportsman and a member of a highly respected Port Adelaide family.

He was one of the new players who showed some promise with Norwood in 1890 when the club dropped to second position after three premierships in a row. He came into the team against South Adelaide at Kensington Oval on 2 August.  Without Arthur Jackson, Jack Woods and ‘Nug’ Plunkett, Norwood went down 8.8 to 5.7.  The Advertiser said: “Mr McIntyre did not carry out the duties of central umpire satisfactorily.” It was a different story at Kensington Oval a week later.  Norwood thumped an undermanned Adelaide 16.13 to 1.4, William kicked a goal and The Advertiser said: “Mr McIntyre gave satisfaction as an umpire.”

William played one game for Port Adelaide in 1892.  William's younger brother Charles Hayter was Port's Secretary from 1928-1948.

As a swimmer William won a number of important events, including the Port Adelaide championship, and he was an oarsman with the Port Adelaide Rowing Club for several years.

Born at Port Adelaide on 10 June 1870 to James Hayter and his wife Elizabeth, née Harris, William was only 12 when he joined the government service for a career which lasted 39 years. Departments he served in included Ways and Works, Deepening and Engineer-in-Chief.  He was assistant accountant of the Harbors Board when he died after a short illness at the age of 50 on 26 November 1920.

He had lived at Mile End for his last eight years after 30 years in the Port Adelaide district. He was survived by his widow and children William, Jack, Les and Phyllis. Jack Hayter was an allround sportsman and umpire who also served as secretary of the United Church Football Association and captain of the Mile End Excelsior Cricket Club.

P. Robins Feb 2020