Stacey reaches new heights as the Thailand Cup is renamed in honour of him.

The Vietnam Swans have decided to honour the Little Guy, Scott Stacey, by renaming the Thailand – Vietnam Cup that we play for as the “Scott Stacey / Gary Burke Cup”.

Gary Burke is a favourite son of Thailand’s. Previously, the Swans had honoured Paul Roos of the Sydney Swans as Roosy had just won the AFL flag two months prior to our match against Thailand in November 2005.

Paul Roos is, of course, a champion. However, the Vietnam Swans believed that it was now appropriate to further develop our own identity by publicly acknowledging those in our Club who have made a material difference to our development.

Below is a copy of the email that the National President, Phil Johns, sent to Scotty Stacey – who now lives in Coffs Harbour with his wife, two children and three gold fish – informing him of the news.

Hi Mr Scott

The Vietnam Swans’ Committees in Hanoi and Saigon have decided that it is not appropriate to continue with the Paul Roos / Gary Burke Cup in our matches against Thailand.

Accordingly, it is my great pleasure to inform you that we have advised the President of the Thailand Tigers to rename the Cup as the “Scott Stacey / Gary Burke Cup”.

Stacey, a one-eyed supporter of the Vietnam Swannies

To be able to find some AFL goal posts in one city in Vietnam may be nothing more than a fluke. However, to find AFL goal posts in a second city in Vietnam is a sign of a miracle and a genius and needs to be recognized. Add to that that you played in the first Swans match in 2003, you played major roles in forging a national team and getting us to the Champs, you set up an organisational structure to ensure that the Swans became a sustainable entity etc, well, it was an obvious decision.

So, the first time we play for the Scott Stacey Cup shall be in Kanchanaburi, Thailand on Anzac Day 2009.

It will be a great day and weekend, Scott – and an honour to play for the Scott Stacey Cup on such a significant day.

Scotty, sometimes a man with with even fewer words than centimetres, replied with:

Many thanks everyone. It’s an unexpected, undeserved but highly appreciated honour.