John Reedman

John Cole Reedman (9 October 1865 – 29 March 1924 ) was a leading Australian sportsman of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. 'Dinny' Reedman was an all-round sportsman who, in addition to his football exploits, was a long-distance swimmer, captained South Australia's Sheffield Shield cricket team and played cricket at Test level.

Australian football career Reedman began to make his mark as an Australian rules footballer in 1884, whilst playing parklands football for Medindie. He went on to join Hotham who were in the Adelaide Suburban Association (ASA) competition, and was a key member of the club's 1885 premiership side. He captained Hotham when they again won the ASA premiership in 1886.

Hotham joined the South Australian Football Association (SAFA) in 1887, with Reedman as captain. Just prior to the 1888 football season, Hotham changed their name to North Adelaide (no connection to the current club) and again Reedman was captain.

When Hotham/North Adelaide amalgamated with the Adelaide club in 1889, Reedman moved to South Adelaide, where he was appointed captain, a position he held until 1898, playing 172 consecutive matches (bringing his total to 200) and leading South to five premierships in seven years before the introduction of electorate football (whereby footballers had to play for their local team) forced his move to North Adelaide Despite this inauspicious start, Reedman went on to captain South Australia and represent Australia in one Test match against England, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the 1894/95 Ashes series. Reedman made 17 and four and produced bowling figures of 1/12 and 0/12. Between 1887/88 to 1908/09 he played for South Australia 76 times, 9 of those as captain.

Honours Reedman has been selected as a back pocket and change ruckman in South Adelaide's official "Greatest Team". In 1996, he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and in 2002, he was inducted into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame.

The J Reedman Memorial Drinking Fountain was erected in Creswell Gardens, Adelaide Oval, on 7 September 1929. It is made of Angaston marble and signifies the achievements of John Cole Reedman and was opened by Sir Wallace Bruce. The fountain was restored in 2001 with an extra plaque added.

Personal life Reedman lived on Gilbert Street, Gilberton and worked as a letter sorter in Adelaide with the Postal Department. He also coached the cricket and football teams at Prince Alfred College for many years. He died in the morning on 29 March 1924 aged 58 following an operation at a private hospital, after several years of ill-health, leaving a widow, three sons and a daughter.