SPORTING icon Wilbur "Webber" Jackson died early yesterday morning at the age of 95.
Jackson represented Ballarat in football, cricket and tennis and played for the Melbourne Demons in the VFL from 1930-32.
At just 15, he began his football career with Golden Point and went on to captain-coach Ballarat Swans premiership sides.
In 1938 he was part of a memorable premiership with North Ballarat when that club came into the Ballarat league competition.
A ruckman-onballer with Melbourne, "Webber's" son-in-law Les Holloway described his father-in-law as a "robust character".
"He stood tall for his height, a Collingwood six-footer as they used to say."
Apart from his football prowess, Mr Jackson represented Ballarat in cricket and tennis for many years.
"He was also a well respected football umpire and umpire-coach and was recognised recently in the top 10 umpires of the century by the Ballarat Football Umpires Association.
"Webber" Jackson also wrote football reports for The Courier, and was involved in a sports show on Radio 3BA and later 3CV.
He is survived by his daughter Meryl, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.