SWFL 2023: SWFL community unites to mourn the loss of Bunbury club legend Scott “Houghy” Hough

The South West football community put club allegiances aside on Sunday at Payne Park following the death of beloved Bunbury Football Club legend Scott Hough. Mr Hough, a 2001 league premiership player with the Bulldogs, lost his lengthy battle with motor neurone disease on the eve of the Dunsborough Sharks clash. Diagnosed with the debilitating illness in 2020, the man affectionately known as “Scottie” refused to yield in his fight — not just for his family, but for others impacted by MND. The Bunbury Football Club, together with countless organisations and people, also dug deep into their pockets over the journey to help not only raise funds towards MND research, but also awareness through heart-warming community events. This determination was summed up a year into his battle when Mr Hough penned a speech, which was read out by his friend Brad O’Reilly during a club function. “My life has changed forever at this stage,” it read. “In this time since being diagnosed, I’ve lost my ability to walk, drive, lift, eat, dress and sleep properly. My speech is also deteriorating rapidly. “This is the most aggressive, debilitating disease we know. “These are the fundamentals of life that you take for granted and are virtually gifted at an early age. It has also taken my ability to hold and play with my kids, along with hugging my wife — but it won’t take my humour. There’s always someone worse off than you. “It will not take my faith. Faith there will be a cure and my hope that there will be a cure sooner rather than later.” Scores of people on social media paid tribute to Mr Hough on Sunday morning prior to the game, including Sharks coach Daniel Wiseman, who said his club would do all it could to help honour the occasion. Prior to bounce down, both teams gathered for a minute’s silence, as Bulldogs president Tom Busher outlined Mr Hough’s legacy at the kennel. “A lot of people may not know Scott because of the timing, but he played 222 games of football here,” Mr Busher said. “He’s a life member of our club and was a 2021 premiership player. “But for all of his football achievements, Scottie was so much more. I think the best way to sum him up is that if you ever had a chat with Scott, you would walk away feeling better for it.” Following the league clash — which Bunbury came from behind and won by five points — Bulldogs players past and present formed a circle with club supporters in front of the “Scott Hough wing” sign, where they proudly belted out the club song. Mr Hough is survived by his wife Adele and two children, Mila and Liam.