BIO

Frederick Percy McCallum played for the Norwood Reserves in 1929, and the first half of the following season, before making his league debut against Glenelg in round 10, 1930. He played the rest of the season in the league side (9 games), and was named the Club's best junior. His development continued in 1931 (16 games) and he won the most improved award.
 
A hard-working ruckman/ruck-shepherd with a strong kick, "Perce", as he was known, played every game in 1932 (19) and 1933 (21). He was particularly impressive in 1933 winning the best and fairest award and playing in the interstate carnival in Sydney. There were strong rumors at the end of the season that Perce and younger brother Bill would ask for a transfer to Victoria, but fortunately for Norwood the moves did not eventuate.
 
McCallum had a solid season in 1934 and again represented South Australia in 1935. He played his 100th league game in 1936.
 
After playing 16 games in 1937, he did not miss a match in 1938 (19) and took out his second best and fairest. He again played every match (18) the following year.

Sadly, his injuries eventually caught up with him however and he was forced to retire in July of 1940 having only made 10 appearances in his final season.

In 1941 he took on the coaching role at Norwood and promptly guided the Redlegs to a flag in his first attempt.
 
After the advent of World War II, McCallum coached the Norwood-North Adelaide combined side, in the patriotic wartime competition, in 1942 before joining the Royal Australian Air Force.
 
After the war he was to become a tireless administrator for the Norwood Football Club. His roles included chairman of selectors, recruiting officer, serving on the management committee, NFC representative for junior football, and chairman of the East Torrens Football Association, the Norwood/North Association and the Past Players Association.
 
McCallum was also Club Patron from 1975 to 1983. A wonderful servant of the club, he devoted 55 years of his life to football at a local and state level.
 
In 1982 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (AOM) for his services to the game.
 
His brother Bill played 154 NFC games (1931-1941).
 
Their father, Frederick J McCallum had a very strong connection with the Norwood Colts, having been involved from the junior competition's beginning in 1936, and the McCallum Medal for the best and fairest Under 17 player in the SANFL, introduced in 1939, was named after him

R Cialini April 2020