The Club has lost one of its favourite sons and one of the most influential administrators & players of the past 50 years. Doug Powell died in Queensland on 21st April 2025, aged 84.
Doug joined the Club in 1956 and played 279 games, making 5,383 runs and taking 149 catches. He top-scored with 159 in the 2nd XI record score of 466 against Hakoah-Ajax in 1967.
He was a member of the 1st XI premiership in 1966 and later captained them from 1971–74.
Doug also won premierships in the 2nd and 4th XIs.
Doug finished playing in 1993 as captain of the 7ths which quickly became known as the OBEs (Old Bastards’ Eleven) which has morphed into the current-day Sunday Legends’ XI.
As a player Doug was an aggressive right-handed batsman, brilliant in the field (particularly in the covers) and an inspirational captain who never took a backward step. At his only Tribunal appearance, following an altercation with a notoriously obnoxious opponent, Doug was asked if, in the cool light of day, he would do things differently. He replied “Yes, I should have taken off the batting gloves before I threw the punch.”
Doug was the inaugural member of the HCC Order of the Hook in the 1976-77 season.
This is an award which celebrates HCC players that have reached 200 games – and the prestigious honour board still proudly carries his name.
The occasion is marked by the presentation of an antique pewter, which is hung on a commemorative board at the club.
To view the list of ‘Order of the Hook’ recipients please click here
Off the field, Doug served as HCC President for 6 years and as a member of the Executive Committee for over 20 years in total. Amongst his many achievements, Doug was instrumental in the appointment of Bill Pewtress, the Club’s first professional coach, and the recruitment of legends-to-be, Max Grimmer and Bob Christie.
A naturally positive and gregarious personality, Doug had the ability to bring people along with him during the heady growth years of the 1970s and early 80s. Jim Kenny said, in his wonderful history of the Club, that ‘Doug provided enormous drive and inspiration for the willing team he gathered around him. In both formal and informal administrative roles, he brought great strategic thinking to the challenges facing the Club’s development over many years.’ Encouraging an expanded social calendar, Doug also made the Club a great place to be around socially.
Doug’s sons, Andrew and Glenn, both played for the Club with distinction during the 1980s and early 90s. Andy was selected in the Team of the Decade 1990s and won the First XI batting in 1994, and Glenn was awarded Best Clubman in 1988.
Doug’s was a contribution beyond measure. Condolences to Bronwyn and Glenn and Doug’s wider family and friends.
Below are some of the email responses HCC has received from former teammates that sum up Doug’s personality and immeasurable contribution to the Club:
Gary Nash: Doug is a true Hampton legend, a great leader, fierce competitor and a person who
contributed both on and off the field. I am so thankful for the wonderful friendship my family has had with Doug and Bron, we will miss him dearly but have many great memories and funny stories to drink to. RIP mate.
Russell Spurrell: I have known Doug for over 60 years, he and John Kenny were my first coaches in the under 12s. I’m proud to have been mates with Doug ever since. We enjoyed a few drinks together over the years both at HCC and up on the Gold Coast when he and Bron moved up there. Doug was a great motivator and intensely loyal to his friends. I received plenty of advice from him over the years and he got me out of a few situations in those times. He was absolutely fearless and would take on any person or problem that he felt strongly about. RIP Douglas you will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
Condolences to Bron who was absolutely devoted to him all those years, and surely a saint to have put up with him. Sending love and support to Glenn and Sam and all their family.
Peter Wright: I was fortunate to have known Doug when I came to Hampton as a junior in the 1960’s. Even at that stage he was larger than life. He presided over the club in the late 60’s and the early 70’s when Hampton was in a growth mode. A loveable leader, club members were extremely fond of, and with their support, he led us into the start of our sensational seventies. I took over from Doug as president, but he remained an invaluable member of the committee. Along with Jim Kenny, Laurie Morrison, Russ Cooper & many others, Doug made my job as president so much easier. I enjoyed many a quiet sip with Doug and remained good friends until his departure to QLD. He showed his loyalty to Hampton with several trips down south to our major functions.
We will sadly miss another member of the HCC Hall of Fame. I think Jim Kenny’s history of the club correctly summed up Hampton, and Doug, really well, when he titled his book ‘There’s a bit of a Larrikin Element down there.’ It was an honour to have known Doug.
We wish Bronwyn, Glen and family our sincere condolences. VALE Doug Powell
Jim Westhead: Saddened to hear of Doug’s passing. Had a beer with Doug and Bron- along with Nashy and Freddie last August – and he was still the tough Dougie we always knew, facing his illness, resolute with a bit of humour! A legend of our club on and off the field.
Ken Morrison: I played much of my time at Hampton under Doug in the seconds, late 60’s and early 70’s. He was a natural leader and a funny, earthy and lovely guy. I ran into Doug at Couran Cove some years ago and it was great to share memories over a few beers and to go back to a great time in our then uncomplicated lives.
John Wintle: Remembering Doug for his friendship, sense of fun, good advice and exceptional leadership. He was an inspirational captain, a fierce competitor and a wonderful supporter and recruiter of talented younger players.
Don Ayre: Sad to hear of Doug’s passing. He was a spirited and valuable member of any team in which we played together in the 1960s. Especially the Premiership side of 1966. Early in 1968, when l returned from overseas, he and his wife kindly put me up at their place for all of January until l got settled. A very generous bloke. Vale Doug.
Laurie Morrison: Doug was an early hero of mine when I joined the Club as a fourteen-year-old. I just loved the way he played his cricket, a confident, aggressive bat, a wonderful fieldsman and a fierce competitor. Later I worked with him on committees during the 70s and 80s. He was a charismatic leader and an even better bloke to have a beer or three with! R.I.P old mate.
Michael Reidy: When I joined HCC in 1977 there was no bigger personality around the Club than Doug, in combination with Peter Wright, Max Grimmer, Jim Kenny, John Wintle, Laurie Morrison and Russell Cooper he was a major driver in HCC success as a leading VTCA Senior Division club in the late seventies and early eighties. Although he has resided in QLD for many years now, he was often seen back at David Street whenever he was in Melbourne.
Andy Robertson: Two phrases from Jim Kenny’s wonderful history of HCC are fitting reminders of Doug and his decades long career which began at Hampton in 1956. “… there’s a bit of a larrikin element down there …” and “… Doug Powell defined so much of the Hampton culture”. I recall his brilliance in the field, his dancing feet as he launched ferocious assaults on an unsuspecting bowler, and most of all his commitment and drive to achieve success for his team and Club.
Always a competitor, Doug’s passing prompts me to recall my days in the field with him, and to reflect upon what for many of us was a golden era for Hampton Cricket Club. Vale Doug, you will always be remembered fondly at Hampton.
Peter Clark: Doug Powell a larger-than-life character and a great HCC man. As a young boy growing up around the club, I revered Doug in the same way as Russell and Jim. RIP Doug.
Paul Ryan: When I arrived down at Hampton from Sydney in 1977, Doug was already a club legend, and it only grew over the next decades. He was a great man. Vale Dougie.
Terry Nasser: One of the greats. I’m glad to be able to call him a true mate.
Below is a picture (taken by Don Bailes), circa 1960 which features Doug Powell (back row, far right) at Castlefield Reserve:
In this photo are:
Back Row Standing – John Kenny (Hall of Fame, Life Member, Team of the 60s), Ron (Banjo) Paterson, (Team of the 50s, Club Champion 1960-61), George Jackson (Hall of Fame, Life Member, Team of the 60s, Club Champion 1959-60, 1962-63, 1968-69), Les Gregory, Doug Powell (Hall of Fame, Life Member, Team of the 70s).
Front Row – Kevin Gleeson (Hall of Fame, Life Member, Team of the Century, Team of the 60s, Club Champion 1958-59), Barry O’Keefe (Team of the 60s), Ernie Bailes, Wally Barnes, Kevin Blair (Life Member).
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