In 1960 there was an exodus of players from Willaston to South including the greats Neil Wilson and Bob Symes. Symes, already a champion at Willaston, came over and along with his brother "Smoka" and his wife Dot, became great contributors to the club over the next few decades.

As a player, Bob was at his peak during the 1960 and 1961 A Grade premierships before a serviceable tenure in the Reserves during the later 1960s. But his record as a coach has never been surpassed.

In 1968 he began coaching the Colts and established himself as a great teacher and mentor to young up and coming footballers instilling discipline, courage and passion for the game. His record as a Senior Colts coach is simply outstanding - flags in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976 and 1977.

Awarded life membership in 1974, many great footballers in Gawler grew up under his tutelage - the likes of Anton Noack, Rodney Day, Gus Barker, Kym Harrison and Brett Riggs amongst them. Symes later went back to Willaston to coach Senior Colts where he also achieved great success