Lawrence leaves lasting legacy on Lions

While Mark Lawrence’s term at Subiaco Football Club’s President may be coming to an end, the legacy he leaves the club will last forever.

For 40 years, Lawrence has been involved with the Lions in a variety of different roles, including as a sponsor, a board member, and as the club director.

He said he came on board as part of the Save Subi campaign from the club.

“I called into Subiaco Football Club when we were over at Subiaco Oval and saw Michael Flanagan who was the CEO,” Lawrence said.

“I said I’d like to get involved at Subi, and he said he’d already been at the Phoenix Holden and spoken to someone, but he hadn’t spoken to me.

“It doesn’t seem long ago, 1982, but it was a long time ago, we got involved and I’ve been involved ever since.”

He joined the board in 1997 after being recommended to by Peter Metropolis, before taking over the Presidency in 2012, providing vision for Subiaco.

One of the most important roles he held was as chairman of the commercial operations team.

The funding generated while he was in the role helped set the foundation for a successful football club going forward.

One decision was to make the most of the club’s ties to their spiritual home ground of Subiaco Oval.

“We had 500 seats for AFL matches, concerts, or any events held at Subiaco Oval,” he said.

“I managed to sell tickets, lunches, and memberships to Subiaco Football Club.

“We secured funds for the football club, and kept us in good stead for years to come.”

Across his 12 years as President, there were a number of significant moments Lawrence oversaw.

Among them, two Colts Premierships, two Reserves flags, the creation of the Women’s team, five League Premierships, and five Rodriguez Shields.

He was awarded life membership to the football club in 2006, was honoured as WAFL life member in 2018, and a Subiaco Diehard in 2020.

However, he said a couple of moments stand out amongst the rest.

“The 2014 Grand Final was the most exciting, because we weren’t favourites to win against East Perth,” Lawrence said.

“There were several West Coast Eagles playing for them, it was a wet day, but we played well.

“The three wins at Optus Stadium with the Colts, Reserves, and League winning the Grand Final, that was a fantastic day as well.”

Although his official duties will be over, Lawrence intends to stay on at the club as a sponsor with Phoenix Motors.

He said there’s been a strong connection between his business and the Subiaco Football Club.

“We’ve employed a lot of players over the years,” Lawrence said.

“Damien Hampson was employed by me many years ago when he came back from Carlton and joined the Eagles and played for Subi, Richard Moloney, and many others.”

Across the journey, there are a number of people who were important during Lawrence’s time at the club.

However, there are a select few who he wanted to specially thank.

“First of all to my wife for putting up with me, and my family,” Lawrence said.

“The General Managers, Kim Williamson, Jeff Lind, and Peter Capes who have been a great support over the years.

“Alby in the changerooms, whether he was the main trainer or as the property man, he’s been a great support.

“Mickey (Bailey) over the years before he passed away, Basil Fuller has been a great support, as has the rest of the board, the list goes on and on from the top down.”

His final thank you was to the playing group throughout his time.

“They put on the Subi strip, respecting the club and playing their hardest,” Lawrence said.

“It’s a great thing that lots of boys have gone through the club, and girls now as well.

“They’ve all done a great job for Subiaco, and that’s been our success is the respect they show to the board, and to the coaches, and to the club.”

Vice President Russell Smith will assume the President’s role in 2024.