Fred Swift - Jack Dyer's Eulogy On World of Sport

Jack Dyer's Eulogy On World of Sport

At the time of Swift's death, the entire football community was deeply shocked.

On the morning of the following Sunday (1 May 1983), Ron Casey, host of the television programme World of Sport, without any prior warning, unexpectedly asked one of the show's stars, the sports journalist, Richmond legend, former Richmond coach, and Richmond selector Jack Dyer, who had been responsible for suggesting Swift's move to full-back in 1967 in place of Mick Erwin, to deliver what amounted to a eulogy. Dyer refused outright, and a very fierce argument broke out between Casey and Dyer; with Casey's will, as host of the programme, prevailing.

Many of the viewers, already deeply upset at the murder of such a brave, honest, courageous, and well-loved man apparently killed in defence of his family, were further affected by the mournful manner in which Dyer, who deeply respected and admired Swift, spoke. It was only later revealed that the reason for Dyer's initial refusal to speak on air, and his actual refusal to look into the camera whilst speaking – having been forced against his will, by Casey, to deliver the eulogy – was solely due to his having left his false teeth at home (a fact that he refused to reveal to Casey or anyone else at the time), and had nothing to do with any reluctance to acknowledge his own personal sense of great loss at Swift's murder.