The North Melbourne Football Club is mourning the death of club Legend, Dr Allen Aylett, who passed away on Friday. He was 88. 

Aylett was a champion footballer for the Kangaroos through the 1950s and ‘60s and became one of the game’s great administrators following the end of his playing career. 

He most famously led the administration that delivered North Melbourne its first premiership in 1975 after becoming club President just four years earlier. 

He won the club’s best and fairest award in three consecutive seasons from 1958 to 1960 and was captain of the club from 1961 to 1964. 

He played predominantly as a rover for the Kangaroos and was selected in the forward pocket in the club’s Team of the Century. Named All-Australian in 1958 and 1961, Aylett famously won the Tassie Medal playing for Victoria in the 1958 interstate carnival.

But it was as an administrator that Aylett left his greatest mark on the game.

He spearheaded the club’s aggressive recruiting strategy that led to its drought-breaking premiership in 1975, firstly by enticing the era’s pre-eminent coach Ron Barassi to come to Arden St. 

Under Aylett’s shrewd leadership, the Roos doubled down on that coup by securing the signatures of star trio Barry Davis, Doug Wade and John Rantall via the short-lived 10-year recruiting rule that allowed veteran players to move freely between clubs. 

So began an era of success for the Roos which resulted in six consecutive Grand Finals (including one drawn) and two premierships.

Aylett was later elected as President of the VFL in 1977 and held that role until 1984.

After his tenure as VFL President, he was also President of the National Football League before returning to North Melbourne for a final stint as President from 2001-2005.

North Melbourne President Dr Sonja Hood paid tribute to Aylett’s incredible legacy at the club and the impact he made on Australian Football.

“No single individual has had a greater impact on the North Melbourne Football Club than Dr Allen Aylett,” Hood said.

“He was a great onballer through the 1950s and ‘60s and he famously presided over our first successful era in the 1970s. 

“It was a source of great pride for our football club when he became President of the VFL, overseeing the first steps to building the national competition we enjoy so much today.

“He came back home to lead the club from 2001 until 2005 and ‘The Doc’ will forever be remembered as a North Melbourne Legend.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Statement from the Aylett family

Dad passed away peacefully this morning and we are grateful to have been by his side over recent days.

Dad was driven and determined, a man of integrity who was respected by so many. He was a North Melbourne man and a football man but, first and foremost, he was a passionate family man.

We are very proud of Dad's stellar football career both as a player and an administrator and, as a family we were always happy to share him with North and later the VFL/AFL.

It was at the end of the 1972 season that he and his mates started North on a journey to their first premiership and now, 50 years later, he was just as excited about what was to come next for the club he has loved all his life.

The game meant so much to him and will continue to mean so much to our family.

Our dad was a man ahead of his time and we will miss him terribly.

- The Aylett Family (Marj, children Tony, Rick, Julie, Sam and families)