Tributes have flowed freely this week as news of Siggy Kramer’s passing spread through the West Australian football community. Kramer, who sadly left us at the age of 76, was widely praised as a luminary of the game by those whose lives he touched.

Nicky Dyer (player 1997-1999)

For many years Siggy was our club, or should I say Siggy’s family were our club. They manned the gate, the kitchen, the VIP area and were the ground officials. Their love for Siggy meant, like me and many others, they could not say no to the Zig. Most people that don’t know Siggy closely thought he was making money out of the club. The truth is if it hadn’t of been for Siggy and his family business then, on many occasions, the players and bills would not have been paid.

Kind, friendly, happy, cheeky, smart, clever fiery and unique are all words I would use to describe Siggy. The love Siggy had for his family was always foremost in his mind. But he did love a punt and the odd drink or two. I would often see him walking the floors of Crown Casino, or sitting listening to the piano man. And Siggy would be immaculately dressed and a true gentlemen.

One day, after a game against Sorrento, we were in the clubrooms when a lad with a mountain of pizzas approached me –

Pizza lad: Is this the Mount Lawley Tennis Club
Nicky: (hungry) Yes!
At my request he then spread the pizza’s across the two tables the players were sitting at
Pizza lad: Who’s paying?
Nicky: (pointing out the club president) Siggy
He then made his way over Siggy to explain to that he needed to pay for the pizzas
Siggy: What pizzas? Who ordered them?
Pizza lad: The Tennis Club
Siggy; (shaking his finger) No, we are Inglewood Soccer Club – take them back
Ooops too late Siggy … by this stage we’d eaten them!

Another pastime of Siggy’s was tormenting Johnny (Nemeth) behind the bar. One year he had me call the club from my mobile and order food, or ask Johnny stupid questions. All the time me and Siggy would be watching Johnny answer the phone, then become very irate when he found out it was us. It never failed to have Siggy and I in stitches, and leave Johnny furious. I love you Siggy, may you rest in peace.

Lee Bamber (coach 2007-2009)

Siggy was one of the true characters of the game in WA. I’ll always be grateful to Siggy for giving me an opportunity to start my coaching career at Inglewood. He was a very loyal person and passionate about his club, something that is sadly missing in the modern day game.

Siggy is someone I’ve always respected but not always agreed with, none more so when he asked me to resign or be sacked over my association with Perth Glory, something that he apologised to me for a few years later. Siggy is someone whom I’ll miss personally, but the football community will miss more.

Lee Crosby (player 1995-2001)

I first met Siggy having flown from the UK to Perth in 1995. My earliest memories of him are of my first few months when his kindness and advice helped me through a difficult period. He allowed me to stay in his apartment and never placed any pressure on me to move out, even though I had signed for another team.

I joined Inglewood in 1996 and my relationship and respect for Siggy developed over the following years, sitting and chatting with him as he propped up the end of the bar with a cognac in hand following training or a game, giving his opinion of players and referee’s performances. Siggy wanted the best for the club and its players, always dipping his hand in his pocket to get drinks for the lads.

I will never forget winning the State League title in 1996 with two goals in the final minutes of injury time against Bayswater City. Siggy was the proudest man at the ground, with the biggest smile you have ever seen, which continued into the night as the team celebrated.

I returned to the UK in 2001 and, even though it’s been thirteen years since I last spoke with Siggy, on hearing of his passing all the memories of the happy times came rushing back. My time in Australia with Inglewood United were some of the best years of my life. My memories of Siggy, his lovely family and my former teammates will never be forgotten.

My heartfelt condolences go to all of the Kramer family, my thoughts are with you all at this very difficult time. Inglewood United and the rest of Western Australian football have lost a great man who dedicated an enormous amount of time to develop the game … I hope that his memory will live on and the service he gave the game will never be forgotten.

Oliver Taseski (player 2003-2011)

I’m very saddened to hear of Siggy’s passing, he was without a doubt Inglewood United to the core. In my time in football I’ve never known anyone to give as much of themselves to any club as Siggy did, and I don’t believe I ever will again. I hope the legacy he leaves will inspire others to give back as much to the local football community as he did. RIP Siggy.

Greg Sharland (player 2001, 2004-2006, 2013-2014)

As a young player you do not necessarily understand all that happens behind the scenes at a club, however, I always knew how passionate and hard Siggy worked for the club. I think for me and other players to notice this really proves Inglewood would most definitely not be here today if it was not for him. Siggy had a great sense of humour, he always tried to make me smile and laugh even after a loss. However, if he was upset after a loss you would certainly know about it!

I will never forget the call I received from Siggy when I left Inglewood to join Wollongong Wolves (in 2001). I was quite mad – and a little nervous – at the transfer not going through quickly due to Inglewood asking for a higher fee. During his stressful period my phone rang, it was Siggy and after making me laugh he assured me that I would soon be a Wollongong player. He said he was only looking out for the club but if Wollongong were going to back out on the deal he would make sure this would not affect me transferring. Siggy is a man who always stood by what he said, there were no fake promises. He will be sorely missed.

Eddy Hodgkinson (coach 1993-1995, 2003-2006)

I had a very close relationship with Siggy, which began with my appointment as senior coach after they were promoted into the State League in 1993. Siggy was not officially president but he more or less ran things along with the then president, Mr Igor Schorsch.

That first season, Siggy was in the club on every training night. At the end of each training session he would be there welcoming us into the bar and, inevitably, just before closing, he would twist my arm into sharing a cognac with him … those were happy days.

I was working hard to keep my job as senior coach a couple of games into the season when the impeccable Mr Kramer approached me in his usual manor, looking sort of worried –

Siggy: What formation were you playing today?
Eddy: 4-4-2
Siggy: Are you sure?
Eddy: Well, yes, of course I am
Siggy: I don’t think so
Eddy: Alright Siggy, what formation do you think I was playing?
Siggy: 1-4-4-2 – everyone forgets the goalkeeper
Eddy: What position did you play Siggy?
Siggy: Goalkeeper!

Siggy had an amazing presence and was always dressed immaculately, he was an absolute gentleman and had time for everybody. He was an inspiration to me – he gave me guidance in business and life. I loved the man dearly and he will be sadly missed by myself and my whole family. Rest in peace Siggy.

Peter Baczynski (player 1973-1985, committee member), Erica Baczynski (committee member)

Siggy had a great passion for his Kiev Soccer Club and went to great lengths to make it successful. The club became his life, and his family became involved to support him. There was a lot of work done behind the scenes of the club. Siggy spent a great deal of time getting sponsors and raising much needed funding to keep the club going. He made personal sacrifices and put in money from his business when the going got tough because he believed in his club so passionately.

Siggy was always respectful to members of his teams, their families and supporters of the club. The opposition were always warmly welcomed and he did his best to look after the sponsors. Siggy was always generous with his time and loved to be able to help wherever he could. He was also mindful of the history of the club and acknowledged and respected the Ukrainian community from which the club originated.

Siggy was always a gentleman. We are grateful to have known him and for all his energy that benefited the soccer club and everyone involved with it.

Jason Colli (player 2004-2014)

Siggy was Inglewood. This great man held the Inglewood club together up until last year, when he decided to have a well-deserved break. Siggy was a true gentleman and worked tirelessly over many, many years … Inglewood wouldn’t be where it is today without him.

Those that knew Siggy would know that the referees were hardly ever in his good books. There was home game a few years back against Sorrento when we were winning 1-0 and the referee played something like six minutes extra-time, in which Sorrento equalised.

As we walked back towards the change rooms Siggy raced out of the VIP area to meet the referees and vent his frustration over what just happened. Later on we all went to the club to have a drink and some food and I remember Siggy jokingly instructing the staff not to serve the referees, which everyone had a laugh at!

Paul Di Carlo (player 1995-1997, 1999)

Siggy was a great man, in my opinion the club should be renamed Siggy Kramer United. He and the Kramer family are Inglewood United and without Siggy and the family the club would not have the high standing and proud history that it has. The club was his life and the amount of time he spent at the club and the amount of money he poured in to the club over the years is unbelievable and should never be forgotten. He was very generous in many ways.

When I was 17 I was invited down to the club by Siggy and then first team coach Eddy Hodgkinson and from my very first training session Siggy treated me like a family member being a guest at his house, which I’m sure many a player would say the same. The club has had many great coaches but you could fairly say that when the players took to the field they wanted to win for Siggy, as we all knew how happy it would make him.

In 1996 we came from behind in the dying stages of the last game of the season to become State League Champions for the first time. Siggy was just the proudest and happiest man and it brought him and the family much joy. Around the mid-season mark he said that if we win the league all the prize money, which was quite decent back then, was entirely for the players to share as an incentive … and he was true to his word.

About two years ago I received a phone call from Siggy, which was a surprise as I hadn’t heard from him for several years. He’d heard I had TV footage and highlights of that memorable game and asked if he could watch it sometime, which I obviously agreed to. He invited me down to watch the next home game and when I found Siggy I handed him a DVD of the TV footage – I can still see the excitement on his face. I bet that from that day on he watched that DVD every night before going to sleep at night.