Stan Middleton (centre) with the late John Carey (Veteran) (left) and former Hanoi President, Willy, at the MCG at last year's Boxing Day Test Match.
Stan Middleton was a “Nasho” who served in Vietnam – and played in the Vietnam Football League (VFL) for 2 Composite Ordnance team in the second half of 1967 and in the 2AOD team in the first half of 1968.
Two weeks after the Vietnam Swans’ Inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match in 2010, Stan contacted the Vietnam Swans via our website and informed us about the footy during the conflict (see Aussie Rules in Vietnam). Carefully organised photos with captions were already on line together with a written history and numerous contacts. Stan was effectively the VFL’s unofficial historian.
Importantly, thanks to Stan, there was now a direct bridge of relevance between our footy club’s ANZAC Friendship Match and the period of the conflict, via the VFL. Together with other veterans, Stan has also attended a number of functions with the Vietnam Swans.
The Vietnam Swans have therefore decided to recognise Stan and his ability to communicate and share information by naming the keynote address at the McMillan Dinner the “Middleton Address”. Below, Stan responds in a letter that was read out to the people attending this year’s McMillan Dinner:
I would like to thank the Vietnam Swans Football Club for bestowing the honour on me of naming the guest speaker’s speech the “Middleton Address”! It is an awesome honour for me, one that I am very proud of!
A younger Stan Middleton.
It is less than two years ago that I made contact with the Swans. Since that time we have developed a wonderful relationship. The Vietnam Veteran Footballers who played in the VFL (Vietnam Football League) during the war have been delighted that the Vietnam Swans have taken such an interest in our war time competition. We feel you have picked up from where we left off when the Australian Military left Vietnam in 1972. To play the ANZAC Friendship Match on our old home ground in Vung Tau makes our relationship even more special! I also sense you all feel the same about that too!
Last year, you remodelled the ANZAC Friendship Shield to match the one we played for during the war. This was a very special gesture for us Vets who played in that competition. Then, to have Glenn Nolan present me with a replica at the Noble Park RSL (Melbourne) just blew me away!
Us old Veteran Footballers that attended the MCG for the Vietnam Swans & Sydney Swans Past players function in 2010 were all stoked that you wanted to include us! Some of us also attended the Vietnam Swans day at the Boxing Day Test last year which we enjoyed very much. As for the Hanoi Swannies that looked after us (Sinh & I and another couple) in Hanoi last April when we passed through, thank you very much for a wonderful night! Also likewise when Michael Johnston looked after us in Hoi An and gave us the opportunity to see Jo Stewart (Swim Vietnam) and her work with the kids at the pool.
Stan's wife, Sinh.
We are all very impressed at the fundraising work the Swannies do for charities such as Jo Stewart’s swim program in Hoi An, the Orphanages run by My Huong (Vung Tau) and the Flood Disasters in Queensland. As I said before, I am very proud to have this honour bestowed on me but even more so knowing what a fantastic organisation the Vietnam Swans are. They are not just another Football Club but a very “Special” one!
I hope the game played today was a huge success and whatever the result I am sure everyone is having a great time. And to the China Reds, welcome to the beautiful city of Vung Tau (the home town of my wife Sinh)!
Go Swannies!
Stan Middleton
