Allen Aylett, former VFL boss and North Melbourne player, passed away on Friday. He was 88 years old. Aylett is termed the father of the AFL. Read on to know everything about Allen Aylett’s cause of death and how did he die.
Aylett had a huge impact as the VFL President. He laid the groundwork for the national AFL and revolutionized football in the country. Fans are mourning the loss of the legend ever since the news emerged on social media platforms.
Allen Aylett’s Death: When and How did it happen?
Allen Aylett died on Friday, September 16, 2022. Aylett’s family announced the grieving news of his death and said the former VFL president died peacefully in his sleep on Friday morning. His family had been by his side earlier in the week.
The AFL and the North Melbourne FC a.k.a Kangaroos have paid tribute to Aylett following his sudden demise. The Australian Football Hall of Famer was reportedly ill and was suffering from old age-related health issues.
Number 4 in our top 150 of all time … Allen Aylett.
— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) August 3, 2019
220 games, 311 goals from one of the greats of our club. A three-time best and fairest winner, captain, twice All-Australian and Team of the Century member. #North150 pic.twitter.com/yu3HVuq0M5
What was the cause of Allen Aylett’s death?
The statement announcing Allen Aylett’s death didn’t confirm the specific cause of his death. Fans are speculating that the legend passed away due to natural causes as he died in his sleep at the age of 88 years.
Aylett enjoyed a decades-long career as an Australian Rules football player, administrator, and dentist. He retired from dentistry at the age of 81 in 2016.
Allen Aylett will be remembered as the “Father of AFL”
Born on April 24, 1934, Allen James Aylett was interested in football since his teenage years. He grew up to have a remarkable career as a player where he played 220 games for North Melbourne and record 311 goals between 1952 and 1964.
At the age of 30, he retired from playing football. Before that, he became a two-time All-Australian and club captain from 1961 t 1964. He won three consecutive Syd Barker Medals between 1958 and 1960.
His short but decorated playing career earned him a spot in Kangaroos’ Team of the Century. After that, he became an administrator and left an ever-lasting mark on Australian football history.
Aylett served as the North Melbourne president from 1971 to 1976 and served the same role from 2001 to 2005 again. The club got its first VFL premiership during his reign in 1975. From 1977 to 1984, Aylett served as the president of VFL.
During this time, he helped the competition to expand nationally and paved the way for the AFL. This was highlighted by South Melbourne’s move to Sydney to become the Swans. Aylett also oversawy the first live grand final broadcast and the start of Sunday games.
Aylett was awarded an OBE in 1979 and inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame in 2006.
Allen Aylett Survivors and Tributes
Allen Aylett is survived by his wife Marj and children Tony, Rick, J
Ever since the news emerged, tributes haven’t stopped for Mr. Aylett. Fans and the Australian football industry are remembering him as the “father of AFL” for his revolutionary work.
“Allen Aylett is a keystone of the national competition we have today,” AFL Commission chair Richard Goyder said in a statement.
“His drive and ambition for the game to be as great as it could be opened new boundaries for our sport, and started the difficult but important steps to build the national competition we see today.”
“No single individual has had a greater impact on the North Melbourne Football Club than Dr. Allen Aylett,” said North Melbourne president Dr. Sonja Hood.
“He was a great onballer through the 1950s and ’60s and he famously presided over our first successful era in the 1970s.”
Our heart goes out to Aylett’s family. May God let the departed soul rest in peace.