Football club’s touching tribute to number one ticket holder
Published 18 November 2024
Former Councillor and number one ticket holder James Houghton has forever been immortalised for his contributions to the Redcliffe Tigers Australian Football Club following the renaming of its clubhouse in his honour.
The “James Houghton Clubhouse” at the Nathan Road Sports Ground pays homage to the man who was pivotal in securing funding for its construction in 2020.
Sadly, Mr Houghton passed away last year. He retired in 2020, having served the community for 19 years as a Councillor on the Redcliffe City and Moreton Bay Regional Councils.
Mayor Peter Flannery paid tribute to his former colleague and his career contributions to the Redcliffe Peninsula and City of Moreton Bay.
“This is just a small gesture we can do for a great man who put so much passion and energy into the Redcliffe Peninsula during his time as Councillor,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.
“He was heavily involved in many local clubs but none more so than the Redcliffe Tigers where he was the number one ticket holder for many years.
“He played a significant role in securing funding for the new $18.8 million Nathan Road Sports Ground facilities to help the Tigers relocate from their previous home, which regularly flooded.
Councillor Sandra Ruck (Division 5) said this was a fitting tribute to the former Councillor who did so much for the Redcliffe Community and the Redcliffe Tigers.
“Councillor Houghton was a keen supporter of football of all codes, but particularly AFL and the Redcliffe Tigers.
“I’d like to thank the Tigers for reaching out to City of Moreton Bay to officially change the name, so he will be forever recognised for his contributions to the club.”
Redcliffe Tigers AFC president Gayle Wetzel Fitzgerald said the club has more than doubled from 300 members to over 700 since moving into the new facilities.
“Councillor Houghton was instrumental in getting us the new facility after years of flooding at our old clubhouse, so this is the perfect way to remember him,” she said.
“Our club has grown and grown since then to the point that it’s hard to keep up with the growth. We can’t thank Councillor Houghton enough.
“We look forward to seeing the shiny new plaque installed to commemorate the name change so he will be forever marked in history.”