18/05/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18nDJNc9HF/
Remembering KIFA legend "the Golden pen".
Geoffrey Ray French is another legend of King Island football. Geoff was born in 1929 in Penguin, Tasmania. Geoff had four brothers and a sister, and life during this period was quite a challenge. These hardships shaped Geoff’s personality, and he would forever support the battler. He loved a good laugh and possessed a sharp wit. He was also extremely loyal and honest. Geoff’s two main passions growing up were football and breeding pigeons. He also played cricket quite well. Schooling was basic, chores and pocket-money jobs were the norm. One of his jobs was delivering bread around the Penguin area by horse and cart. That is how he met and charmed the indefatigable Kathleen Duncan. Geoff always greeted Kath with a “Hello beautiful” and a twinkle in his eye. It is reported in the “Advocate” that Geoff was kicked by a horse while driving the bread cart, he avoided serious injury protecting his head. Geoff made a few more deliveries to Kath, and they committed to each other in marriage. From that time on, Kath stood resolutely beside Geoff. Geoff’s father Wallace G French was a very good cricketer and played football for Penguin in the North Western Union. The family tragically lost Wallace at the young age of 31 in 1940 handing more challenges to the family. “Wally” was part of their inaugural Penguin premiership side in 1932. Such was his eldest sons talent that Geoff was approached by scouts from the Geelong Football Club. However, family commitments meant that path was never taken. Geoff played for Penguin until 1951. In 1950, he was voted joint best clubman for Penguin Football Club after he had secured the centre half-back position. Work then took Geoff and Kath first to the Wimmera, then he joined the Royal Australian navy in 1952 and served 6 years. Geoff saw active duty during the Korean War as a gunner and was extremely proud of his military service. In this period he played in Melbourne’s essential services competition. After his discharge, Geoff and Kath returned to Tasmania, where they began raising their family: Ian (RIP), Louise and Harvey. Geoff became captain-coach of South Riana football club and later coached the Scotchtown Under-17s, who had not won a game for four years, guiding them to a grand final appearance in the CHFA. He also served as the club secretary. Geoff kept wickets for the Brittons Swamp cricket team and once took 11 catches in a single game. Geoff joked that wherever he put his hands that day, the ball stuck. He was also a diehard St Kilda supporter in the VFL and followed the Saints for his entire life. In 1972, Geoff moved his family to King Island, where initially he worked in the dairy industry for the Triffet’s and then the Bowling family at Surprise Bay. Lynda was added to the brood in this time and the family was complete. They then moved to Grassy in 1975, where Geoff worked in the scheelite mine. Along with Graeme Conley, Geoff wrote a cricket segment titled At the Wicket for the King Island News in 1974. During this period, he developed his writing skills and soon began contributing to the Grassy Grapevine, a popular local mine-based publication circulated throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Geoff also became the Grassy correspondent for the King Island News in 1977 before his popular articles saw him recruited as the football reporter for the paper in 1978. His “around the pack” column was entertaining and informative reading, Geoffs articles of the local legends provides vital information for historians and researchers to this day. Geoff possessed an incisive knowledge of the game and the personalities that made the clubs and the KIFA tick. His writing style allowed him to condense football matches into a few entertaining and concise paragraphs. Locals were equally informed, outraged and entertained — both on paper and in the pub. The first mention of Geoff as the “Golden Pen” appeared in the King Island News in late 1980. The first “Golden Pen” award was also presented that same year. Kath ably assisted Geoff throughout those years, collecting team sheets and bantering with all and sundry. Geoff became a bona fide legend as a football scribe, with his reputation spreading well beyond King Island. Many famous journalists knew of him and Kath and admired their work. In 1980, Geoff was recognised by the Jaycees for his outstanding contribution to King Island sport. In reality, however, the award was shared with his greatest supporter and rock, Kath. Geoff and Kath were made honorary members of all the King Island football clubs. Geoff also took on a caretaker coaching role with Grassy Football Club during the 1980 season before becoming senior coach in 1981 and 1982. Geoff was a formidable and inspiring coach who set very high standards. His teams came heartbreakingly close to premiership success, he also served as the club’s vice-president. Geoff successfully coached the King Island side in 1982 against Flinders Island. In 1997, Geoff and Kath were awarded life memberships of the King Island Football Association. Geoff and Kath were heavily involved with pigeon racing thought the years, both breeding and racing pigeons. They both held executive positions for the local pigeon club for many years where they worked tirelessly. In later years, Geoff served as secretary of both the King Island Pastoral and Horticultural Society and the Anglican church. Geoff was also a committee member of the RSL sub branch. In retirement, Geoff and Kath first settled on the outskirts of Currie at the not so subtly named “Franga’s Flats”, where their love of Slim Dusty, pigeons and the simple farming life continued for many years. Eventually, they moved into Currie, where Geoff continued reporting on all things football until his passing in 2008.
Thanks to Luke Agati and to the French family for their assistance and information.
A young Geoff is pictured tying up his boot laces when captain coach for the South Rianna FC in 1958
