AFL Queensland wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Alan “Doc” Mackenzie and the entire Queensland football community following his passing, aged 75.
Doc was not only an iconic figure of Gold Coast football, specifically the Southport Football Club where he served as President for the past 49 years, but also a remarkable contributor to Queensland football for more than half a decade.
AFL Queensland Chairman, Dean Warren, passed on his sincere condolences on behalf of the entire Queensland football community.
“Queensland football has lost a true legend of the game,” he said.
“Doc Mackenzie has made an incredible contribution to Queensland football; not only in his role as President of the Southport Football Club, but he has helped grow and shape the great game we have today in Queensland.
“From his playing days representing Western Districts to his Presidency at Southport, Doc also made a significant contribution to State Football, our AFL Queensland Hall of Fame selection committee and with our two AFL Clubs including a Foundation board member of the Gold Coast SUNS,
“Whilst Doc would always represent and fight hard for his football club, he was balanced and had the best interests of the game in Queensland at heart.
“He would always be someone with a wise, level head and I personally appreciated his perspective and views certainly on Gold Coast football and the broader game in Queensland.
“Doc will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
“I pass on my sincere condolences to Doc’s wife Jo-Ann, Mark, Chris, Seanna, his four grandchildren, fellow family members and the Southport Football Club.”
Doc grew up in the western suburbs of Brisbane and got his first taste of football as a foundation junior player with Sherwood before playing 110 Queensland Australian Football League games with neighbouring Western Districts (1964-70). He represented Queensland at 19 and captained Wests at 23 before an injury-forced retirement the next year.
Doc was elected Southport Football Club President in November 1973 aged 27 after the club’s executive committee resigned suddenly and since overseen the growth of one of Australia’s finest domestic football operations. Under his direction the former Southport Magpies, a powerhouse in the Gold Coast competition, stepped up as the Southport Sharks into the now AFL Queensland State League in 1983.
Doc also served the Brisbane Bears/Lions for six years (1992-98) as club doctor, selector and match committee chairman, and has filled countless similar roles with the Allies side, Queensland open and junior representative teams, and Gold Coast representative teams.
A Life Member of AFL Queensland, he received the Australian Sports Medal (2000), the AFL Merit Award (2003) and was the inaugural recipient of the Gold Coast Bulletin Sports Award (2003).
In 2008 Doc was inducted to the Queensland Football Hall of Fame and in 2011 was the ninth person elevated to legend status. In 2012 he was recognised by the AFL with the highly prestigious Jack Titus Service Award. He was also acknowledged for his contribution to Australian Rules Football in Queensland at the Queensland Sport Awards in 2018 with the Service to Sport Award.
Doc joined the GC 17 bid team in April 2008 with the sole purpose of bringing AFL football to the Gold Coast. That effort was bought to life a year later when the AFL officially granted a provisional license to the Gold Coast Football Club in March 2009.
Doc served as a board member for 10 years and in 2018 was inducted as a life member of the club, highlighting the substantial role he has played in the establishment of the Gold Coast SUNS.
Vale Doc Mackenzie, you will be greatly missed.
