Fred May

The May family were instrumental in the rise of the Gawler South footy club in the early part of the twentieth century and the celebrated May lineage begins with Fred. Uncle of champion and league footballer Ron, brother of A Grade captain-coach Harry, and father of A Grade captains Stan and Sylvester, Fred May rose to great prominence as both a champion player and dedicated administrator - after being one of the very first original South players.

Handpicked by Jimmy Fitzgerald himself, as a great senior footballer Fred May virtually became a household name in Gawler, dominating the competition and captaining the GFA representative side - while off the park he held the club presidency for six consecutive terms.

In 1895 there was sensational news that Gawler would be providing six footballers to the S.A. Football Association to try their hand at big time league. South's Fred May and his contemporary Toby Arthur were two of these players, having signed up for South Adelaide.

Astoundingly, records show that even though Fred was playing league footy, he continued to come back home to govern his old club as President, with the help of his brother Harry. Something that certainly could never happen today.

Upon the eve of the 1898 football year, Fred May suddenly passed away well before his time. Evidence suggests that the club rallied around the May family at this tragic time, spurring them onto the golden agae that was about to arrive in the 1920s. While James Fitzgerald certainly is the patriach of our great club, it could well be suggested that Fred May is the spirit.