Tasmanian football has lost one of its most imposing figures with the death of hall of famer Bill Sorell

Although he barely kicked a football in his five and a half decades of dedication to the game, the man everyone simply knew as Billy became an institution in Tassie football, particularly for running Tasmania’s biggest lunch event, the hugely-popular annual Bill Sorell Sports Luncheon.

Former AFL Tasmania colleague and friend Scott Wade said Bill would be sorely missed.

“His grand final Wrest Point event was so special and let’s hope we can all rally together and celebrate the outstanding life of Bill Sorell at this year’s event _ let’s hope we can make it happen,” Wade said.

“Bill was certainly a character, affectionately known to us as Sir Lunch-a-Lot.

“His regular Friday lunch crew was like his family, and I am sure all of his lunch mates will forever miss the great William Sorell.

“Bill loved the Sandy Bay Football Club, he loved the Hutchins Old Boys, loved the Tasmanian Devils, loved Carlton, loved southern and state Tasmanian representative teams, and he loved the Chairman’s Room at Bellerive Oval. Bill loved being invited to any luncheon.

“He was so much fun to be around, and he gave as good as he got. Bill was never shy in telling you what he thought about politics and individual politicians or whatever the subject matter of the day was.”

Fittingly, Sorell’s off-field career started as a member of Sandy Bay Football Club’s social committee in 1970, and he was soon promoted to the club’s management team in 1972.

He stayed in that role until 1986 when he became a club Life Member, and in 1991 became Sandy Bay president until the club folded to emotional scenes in 1997.

Sorell received the Tasmanian Football League’s Merit Award in 1989, and as a club president he was also on the board of the TFL from 1991-97 and a TFL commissioner in 1998.

From 1999 to 2013 he was AFL Tasmania’s special projects advisor.

He was a board member of the Tasmania Football Club, the flagship of the original VFL Tasmania Devils, and in 2005 received the AFL Merit Award.

Bill Sorell was inductee number 270 in the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.

A descendent of former Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, William Sorell (1817 to 1824), Bill was passionate about Tasmanian football, and like many over-the-moon when Tasmania was granted an AFL licence.

Billy will be remembered most for the event that started as the Sandy Bay Football Club Grand Final lunch in 1983, and later became the Bill Sorell Luncheon when the club ceased to exist.

It attracted a who’s who of AFL football, and sometimes cricket, with guest speakers including Dermott Brereton, Sam Newman, Tony Shaw, Garry Lyon, Denis Pagan, Brett Kirk, Grant Thomas, Mark Williams, David King, Ricky Ponting, Mark Maclure, Mark “Bomber” Thompson, Paul Roos, Nick Riewoldt, Tim Paine, Robert Shaw, Kane Cornes and last year Alastair Clarkson.

Of the lunch, Bill Sorell once told the Mercury: “I’m proud of the fact we get over 700 people here each year and in fact it’s almost sold out for next year already,” he said.

For Wade, it leave a hole that can never be filled.

“Bill Sorell was a good friend and supporter of me and my family for most of my adult life. I will miss him,” Wade said.

“So many funny moments and memories shared with Bill Sorell that I’ll never forget.

“Rest in peace great man.”

james.bresnehan@news.com.au

Originally published as Tasmanian football has lost one of its most imposing figures with the death of hall of famer Bill Sorell