Don Howell, who passed away on December 5 at the age of 84, was a Saints’ stalwart both on and off the field. 

Recruited from Portland in 1953, he won an award in his opening season as the best seconds player promoted to the senior side in his first year. 

The ginger-haired half-forward and wingman played 29 games and kicked 9 goals up to the end of 1955. 

Despite having played 16 of the 18 senior games in 1955, he was delisted early in 1956, before going on the play 17 games for Collingwood from 1957 to 1958. 

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After his League career, Don played at Murchison for a season then Frankston for another season. 

He captain-coached Federal League sides McKinnon (1961-1962) and Glenhuntly (1963-1964). 

When Lindsay Fox took over as the club’s chairman in 1979, Don Howell was a key board member and served on the board until 1984, where his business acumen and willingness to take on issues in a calm and considered fashion was a key plank of helping to turn the club around. 

As Director of Finance he took on an extremely challenging role, but never lost his ready smile.