This Saturday sees one of the Old Xavs’ favourites play his 150^th game for the Club. Stuart Skidmore is a true footballing warrior and all those who have seen him play, and played alongside him, have marvelled at his hardness at the contest and his relentless pursuit of the football.

Stuey finished school at Xavier College in 1997, where he was Vice-Captain of the School XVIII side. He played two years of Under 19’s in that famous run under Pat Hawkins, where the side went undefeated through both seasons and won two flags. He played his first Reserves game in 1998 versus St Bernards out at the Snake Pit, then his Senior debut against the same side at Toorak Park in 1999.

Skidders took a break from footy for a while then played a handful of games at Templestowe in 2002. He returned to the Xavs in 2003 and played scattered footy until his passion returned in 2006 and as he put it, “wanted to play properly again”.

Pound for pound, Skidders is the toughest and hardest player to wear the red and black, and a number of people involved at the Club jumped at the chance to pay him a tribute;

When people at Old Xavs talk about Stuart Skidmore they typically mention his aggression and hardness at the ball. Although these are obvious traits of Stuart’s I found he has a lot more to offer both on and off the field.

I had the pleasure of playing alongside and also coaching Stuart during my involvement with Old Xavs. As a fellow player he made me walk tall and I always felt more comfortable having him in the team.  His quick hands in tight contests always managed to find a red and black jumper and many goals were initiated through his sheer hard work and positive attitude.

As a coach I found his leadership skills to be invaluable. Stuart captained the Reserves 2007 premiership team which was a very young side. Being able to relate to those younger players made Stuart an excellent Captain and also a coach’s dream.

If I had to sum him up in a sentence I would say Stuart is a fearless leader, excellent footballer and a quality person.

 I wish him all the best for his 150^th game. Good luck Skidders!
Anthony Bourke

Skidders is a gem. When you are trying to teach young men how to approach the game of football, having come out of the comforts of school football, an on field leader like Skidders was invaluable. Quite simply, no one I have ever coached attacked the football with such vigour and courage. He set the standard in the U/19's for attack on the footy, hardness and tackling in a side which went undefeated through 1998 and 1999. He was also in many senses the spiritual leader of the 2000 Senior finals campaign and premiership and we all remember his Preliminary Final performance with great fondness and admiration. Pat Hawkins

Stuart Skidmore has been a fantastic contributor to the Old Xavs Footy Club over a long period of time. I unashamedly rate Skidders as my favourite player I have coached and watched over the last ten years because of what he represents.

I can think of no other player who better epitomises the spirit of the OXFC.

They used to say about Jeff Fenech that he was “pound for pound” the toughest boxer of his time; well I think the same applies to Skidders. An absolute wrecking ball of toughness when required. I love thinking about the countless times he has physically worried opponents off the ball not to mention the times he led by example as Captain and spiritual heart of the team.

If you were to ask me what I admired most about “Thickness” it would be his ability to apply himself entirely to the contest. Physically, mentally and emotionally he will not bend or break until the contest is over. And when it is, win, lose or draw he will be the first to shake hands and congratulate his team mates and thank his opponent.

So congratulations to Skidders on his milestone. A mighty player and bloke. The man responsible for my biggest thrill at the OXFC and a true gentleman.

Great work More! Pete Callinan

Thickness epitomises the culture that Old Xavs sought to restore in 2005 and was instrumental in the Club successfully doing so and remains a cornerstone of the Club in this regard with his leadership, determination and application.

He is a senior footballer, who also leads the 2s with passion and commitment. Whenever he is called upon for senior football he applies himself to the task and in his usual dependable fashion. Two things stick out for me in his career – his game in the 2000 Preliminary Final against St Kevins where he tackled like a madman and his performance against Old Brighton in R22 in 2008 – possibly one of the Club’s greatest ever home and away victories where he again lead the charge in tackling, hardness and pressure. He is a little ripper. Simon Lethlean

I think Skidders should have been playing in the 70’s and 80’s when he really could have gotten the most out of his aggression at the ball. As a team mate I felt more confident when he was around and his presence made you go harder at the contest. As a coach you always knew you were going to get 100% from him, and he was invaluable to have in a side when the younger players came up to senior football. I particularly enjoyed his dislike for any opposition player wearing a red jumper! Michael Hardman

When "Thickness" walked into the rooms at Toorak Park for the first time in 98', I remember sitting with Xav great Killer Bourke, who was working on his sizeable guns and commented that this young fella might want to do the same!  I think he heard the great man and took on the advice as he's certainly a feared player in the Reserves competition these days and hopefully a few years more!

In his early years and my latter years, we played a few games together and I thought then he had the goods to play some seriously good football for this Club.  And that he has, especially coming into the seniors over the last few years as a stopper.  Skidders gives 100% with either the ones or twos every Tuesday, Thursday but more so on Saturday's for the black and red jumper when called upon.  

There is no other person at the Club who is more passionate about the team he leads and it's been a real pleasure to have an involvement with someone like Skidders.  He leads by example and is one of the first players I'd have by my side going into battle each week.

Well done Stu, you are an inspiring leader and we all wish you the best for Saturday and the year ahead. David Landrigan

One hundred and fifty games for Stuart Skidmore - what an amazing achievement for a bloke who's only 149cm tall!

It is fair to say that no one at Old Xaverians Football Club deserves recognition more than Skidders and no one at OXFC is less likely to ask for it.  His efforts not only set the benchmark for his team mates week after week but his ability to make those around him better players is something that can't be measured by statistics.


Everyone who has ever watched him play will know how hard he attacks the footy.  They'll know his is an absolute warrior and that, as a captain, he a leader by deed who demands 100% commitment to the contest.


What they may not know is that he is also a captain of few words.


However this is very fortunate because some of his pre-game speeches continue to be complete train wrecks and are reminiscent of the 2007 Miss Teen USA contestant talking about education "... like South Africa ... like Iraq ..."!

People also may not know that Stuart is personally ecstatic to see Karmichael Hunt joining the ranks of AFL footy as this means he is no longer the worst shot set for goal currently playing the game in Australia.


But I can't think of a bloke that I enjoyed playing my football with more than Skidders.  He is a man of the old school and a gentleman.


One way of measuring a successful career is the respect offered to a player by those who played alongside him. And I've got no doubt that if you ask those around the OXFC which player they respect the most the name 'Stuart Skidmore' would be mentioned more often than any other.
David Walsh

From all at the Club, Congratulations on reaching this milestone and good luck for the rest of your career!

Achievements:

Under 19s

- Premierships 1998, 1999

- Vice Captain 1999

- Best and Fairest 1999

Reserves

- Premierships 2001, 2006, 2007

- Acting Captain 2006

- Captain 2007 - Present

Club

- 2008 Mick Rush Award