Vale Paul Martin

The South Adelaide Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of former player Paul Martin over the weekend.

Born in England, Paul was recruited to South Adelaide from the Christies Beach Football Club in 1980 as a 15 year old to play U17's.

The following year he captained the Under 19's at 16 years of age, while also playing 15 reserves games and representing the state in the 1981 Teal Cup.

Paul held a lot of admiration for Barrie Robran for his sportsmanship and Robin White as a player . "His attacks on the ball are phenomenal," he once said in a Footy Budget interview.

He went on to play 109 league games between 1982 and 1986 as a wingman under coaches Haydn Bunton, Graham Cornes and Rick Davies.

He won the David Kantilla Memorial Trophy (Best First Year Player) in 1982, and the following year was selected in the Advertiser Team of the Year.

The thoughts of South Adelaide are with Paul's family, friends, teammates and those that fondly remember his time on the playing field.