The elevation of long-serving Werribee figure Alan Clayton to Legend status capped off a historic night at the club’s 60th Year “Then and Now” Celebration at Club Tarneit.

Clayton became just the 10th Legend in the club’s history, recognised for his service across playing, administration, operations, and volunteer roles that have left a lasting impact.

Clayton was presented the honour by Kevin Leece, the club’s all-time leading goalkicker with 406 goals across 111 games between 1971 and 1981, who delivered a heartfelt and humorous tribute.

“Even I'm getting a bit emotional here,” Leece said. “You've done everything... you’ve done the property steward, and when I was playing footy, not that I was much good at it, I never got any freebies, couldn’t get a sock out of you. Congratulations, I think you’re a champion bloke and you deserve to be a Legend.”

Clayton, who has served the club in a wide range of roles over several decades, was visibly moved as he accepted the honour.

“Very, very honoured. I didn’t expect it, but I’m very humble,” he said. “You look around the room here, the people I’ve worked with for over 40 to 50 years. I was 16, trying to get a game in the Under-19s. I only played seconds, and Bruce Comben said to me at quarter time, ‘You’re in the seniors next week,’ I snapped my hamstring in half, and that was the end of my football career.”

Although his playing career was brief, Clayton has dedicated more than 50 years to the club in a range of roles. After starting in the Under 19s and Reserves, he moved into off-field involvement as a board member and treasurer, and later played a key role in the running of the club’s sports club and bingo centre. He served as tribunal advocate, contributed to the stats team and social committee, and took on the role of property steward. When he and his wife Janet, started their business, Cheeselinks, they became immediate sponsors of the club. To this day, “Hutchie” does not miss a game at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, sponsors midfielder Ray Murphy, and remains actively involved in club fundraising efforts.

In his speech, Clayton made special mention of those who have helped shape his journey.

“I wanna thank my wife, Janet, to just everyone in the room. Mark [Penaluna]... yeah, there’s too many. I’ve made too many good friends,” he said. “I could spend an hour thanking everyone, but the old people that are still around and still part of the club.”

Clayton’s elevation capped off a historic night for the club, which also saw the induction of seven new Hall of Fame members: Chad Ravlich, George Riddiford, Kirk Norton, Jimmy Masterson, Robbie Castello, Ted Goodall and Martin Carter.