John Creamer Steps Down as Darfield Rugby Patron After 32 Years
The 98-year-old local legend is handing the role to Grant McIlroy, a decision that closes a chapter in the club's long history.
By Ayanda Boateng ·
John Creamer has stepped down as patron of the Darfield Rugby Club, ending a 32-year tenure in the role. The 98-year-old resident of the township made the decision at the club's annual meeting last month. He has lived in Darfield for nearly 90 years and has been involved with the club for 81 of them.
Creamer first signed up with the club in 1947 at the age of 17. He began as a player for the junior team, serving as a hooker and prop. He also held the position of joint secretary during his early years. He later moved to the senior team, which competed for the Malvern Shield against clubs such as Kirwee and Sheffield. During the 1950s, the team won the title in every year except 1958.
Creamer served as club president from 1956 to 1959. He retired from playing in 1963 after a match in Sheffield where he spent the final minutes as a cold reserve. He became the club's first life member in 1974. In 1994, he replaced Jock Dawson as patron, a role he held until last month. Creamer said he stepped aside to allow other long-serving members to receive recognition.
Grant McIlroy, 72, has been named as the new patron. McIlroy is a former coach and committee member who moved to Darfield from Central Otago with his wife and sons. He coached his sons through the junior grades and served as club president in 2001 and 2002. His sons, Scott and Blair, are among the most capped players in the club's history, with Blair holding the record for more than 300 division 1 appearances.
The McIlroy family maintains a deep presence in the club's leadership. Kelly McIlroy, Blair's wife, is the current president. Scott served as president from 2018 to 2019. The family's involvement spans multiple generations, with Blair and Kelly's children currently playing in the junior teams. McIlroy described the transition as a natural progression and said he would seek guidance from Creamer to understand the role's expectations.
Creamer's connection to Darfield extends beyond rugby. He worked at the local butchery from 1942 and later owned the business until 1981. He and his late wife Leith, who died in 2024, lived in their current home for 20 years. The house is located near the rugby domain, allowing Creamer to watch games from his living room window. He attends home matches on a mobility scooter whenever the weather permits.
The club has experienced a resurgence in recent years. Following the 1967 amalgamation of the Malvern and Ellesmere sub-unions, Darfield struggled to field teams for several seasons. The club won its first Coleman Shield in 2022, defeating Prebbleton 27-26 in a rain-soaked final. It secured the title again in 2024 and 2026. Club captain James Scollay noted that the team is currently as strong as it has ever been.
Scollay has developed a close friendship with Creamer over the past decade. He visits the former patron regularly to share updates on fixtures and club news. Scollay said that Creamer's house is the first stop for the shield after a victory. Creamer remains active in supporting the team and has expressed confidence in the squad's ability to win back-to-back titles in the coming season.
