Vale Colin Kitching

Football Australia is saddened to hear of the passing of Socceroo cap # 133 and Melbourne Olympian, Colin Kitching. 

One of the famous Kitching clan from Ipswich in Queensland, Colin rose to prominence as an 18-year-old in 1952 when he netted more than 50 goals over the season for Bundamba, where he came up through the junior ranks.

He scored regularly in the Queensland state league through the 1950s with Ipswich clubs Bundamba, Blackstone and St Helens, before a move to Brisbane with Hellenic where he continued his goalscoring form. He won Queensland premiership honours at Blackstone (1953), Bundamba (1955 and 1957) and Hellenic (1960 and 1963).

Kitching (cap # 133) played twice for the national side against South Africa in September 1955 and was part of the Australian squad for the 1956 Olympic Games, playing in a post-Olympics match against India.

In 1959 he appeared three more times for Australia, against the uncompromising Heart of Midlothian, making for a total of six international appearances for Australia.

In 1959 he scored twice for Queensland against the touring Hearts side, including a late equaliser as the state team drew 3-3 in Brisbane. It was the only game where the strong Scottish side dropped points in their 15-match Australian tour.

Among several other games and goals scored for the Queensland state side, he netted eight against Fiji in a friendly in June 1961 (W13-2). 

Football Australia sends its condolences to the Kitching family and those closest to Colin.