‘Racer’ trusted with top job

MAN WITH THE MICROPHONE: Trevor "Racer" Rayson will be the MC at the Mid South East grand finals tomorrow. Picture: RAQUEL MUSTILLO
MAN WITH THE MICROPHONE: Trevor “Racer” Rayson will be the MC at the Mid South East grand finals tomorrow. Picture: RAQUEL MUSTILLO

POPULAR Hatherleigh sporting identity Trevor Rayson will be back behind the microphone at the Mid South East Football League grand final at Nangwarry tomorrow.

Known to all as “Racer”, the league has long entrusted him with the duties of being the master of ceremonies and he looks forward to the day-long task.

His duties start at 9am and run through to well past 5pm.

Like his counterpart on AFL grand final day, among the challenges is announcing the nick names and the actual names of the winning players as they come to the podium to accept their premiership medallions.

As a footballer, Rayson played with the Eagles in the 1980s and 1990s and has since supported the local sporting community through leading roles with the Hatherleigh Sport and Recreation Centre.

He will take a special interest in the outcome of the A Grade football contest as his son Joe is playing for Hatherleigh against the Mount Burr Mozzies.

A year ago, Rayson was not the grand final MC.

He had his hands full with other staging chores as around 3000 people descended on his home oval.

In his place, Bill “Chappy” Chapman picked up the microphone for the 2016 grand final.

“Chappy” is a former football columnist with The South Eastern Times and has been a broadcaster with commercial and community radio stations in the region.

As a footballer, “Chappy” played with distinction in the region with the Mount Burr, Millicent and West Gambier clubs.

“Chappy” is set to be busy at Nangwarry on Saturday as a goal umpire in the curtain raisers.

By 2pm, “Chappy” will be on the sidelines and cheering on the Mozzies.

“I think they will win,” he said.

“They find that little bit extra in the finals”.