Jimmy McCreadie, known affectionately as ‘Mr Stop Out’ among the football community, has recently died, aged 93.
McCreadie received numerous Hutt City civic awards for his services to football and had the rare distinction of being granted Life Member status at two clubs — his Stop Out club and Napier City Rovers who recognised his achievement of taking teams to their annual U-19 tournaments for 27 years.
In 60 years of service to Stop Out, McCreadie filled many roles, from club captain to president, and he coached, recruited and raised income through fundraising and sponsorship campaigns.
He played an instrumental part in relocating the club headquarters from Te Whiti Park to their current home at Hutt Park
In 2019, he was declared a ‘Stop Out Legend’ in the club’s centenary year, in recognition of his service.
In a tribute after his death on October 8, the club said: “Jimmy joined the club in 1954 on his arrival to New Zealand, and subsequently spent his life preaching the gospel of Stop Out.”
The McCreadies Clowns Masters team were formed in his honour in 1999 and are still active.
McCreadie also became one of the first 12 people to be inducted into the Wellington Football Hall of Fame, joining All Whites Barry Pickering, Wynton Rufer and Vaughan Coveny, and Ferns Maureen Jacobsen and Wendi Henderson.
James Smith McCreadie (1930 — 2023)
The following notice appeared in The Post:
Passed away peacefully at Hutt Hospital on Sunday 8th October 2023 in his 94th year. Loved husband of Maureen (deceased), Loved father and father-in-law of Maryanne and David, Liz and Garry (deceased). Beloved Grandad to Kylie, Tyron, Mike and Andy. Treasured great grandad to Flynn, Boston, Jadson, McKenzie and Mason. Will be sadly missed. A funeral service will be held on Monday 16th October at 1pm at the Lower Hutt Events Centre (Town Hall), Laings Road, Lower Hutt followed by cremation at Akatarawa Crematorium. You are welcome to join us at the Ricoh Sports Centre at Fraser Park following the funeral for a few drinks and nibbles.
Obituaries
Through the publication of obituaries, Friends of Football tries to recognise the loss of those who have significantly contributed to our game.
