Kevin Longbottom

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Kevin Longbottom
Personal information
Full nameKevin James Longbottom
Born(1940-12-23)23 December 1940
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died13 January 1986(1986-01-13) (aged 45)
La Perouse, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight99 kg (15 st 8 lb)
PositionFullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1961–69 South Sydney 105 27 134 0 349
Source: [1]

Kevin Longbottom (23 December 1940 – 13 January 1986) was an Aboriginal Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s. Longbottom was known by the nickname "Lummy" and was renowned for his long-range goal kicking,[2] sometimes even kicking goals from further than the halfway line.[3] A large, barrel-chested man, he won a premiership with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 1967, and played on the 1965 team that were runners up.[4] He played Fullback for most of his career.

Longbottom initially forced his way into first grade when full-back Darrel Chapman became injured.[5] He kicked a conversion in South Sydney's win over Canterbury in the 1967 Grand final that should have resulted in a 14–10 win.[6] His three long range penalty goals in the 1965 Grand Final are still regarded as possibly the longest kicks ever attempted at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[7]

Longbottom was a fine golfer, but is better remembered as a famous caddie to many professional golfers including Bruce Devlin, Bob Shearer and American Tommy Bolt.[8]

Longbottom died from chronic liver disease in 1986 at the age of 45.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ Roy Masters (rugby league) (18 August 2012). "Souths embody redemption, resilience and the great game". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Widders and Peachey Attend Apology to Stolen Generation". South Sydney Rabbitohs. 13 February 2008. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  4. ^ "PLAYER PROFILE". nrlstats.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  5. ^ Sydney Morning Herald: 07/03/1962
  6. ^ Wilkins, Phil (17 September 1967). "This goal is not on record". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  7. ^ Alan Whitaker. rugbyleagueproject.org
  8. ^ The Age: Thunder as Tommy Finishes. 16 October 1978