By LES EVERETT

THE first thing that struck me about the scoreboard at Lathlain Park was how quick it was. I called in at half time to find husband and wife team Ray and Evelyn, who have been doing the job for only a couple of years but have a slick combination going.

A former umpire, Ray is the kind of footy lover who is not content to just be a spectator. “I like to be involved in the game and doing the scoreboard is something that has appealed to me since I was a young lad,” he said, “I’m a bit of a stats man so I like keeping the numbers.”

Evelyn said that when she heard about the need for a new scoreboard attendant she dobbed Ray in. Now the couple work the board from nine to five every time the Demons play at home – displaying the scores for the colts, reserves and league.

The Lathlain Park scoreboard is one of only two boards in the WAFL where the attendants have the relative luxury of being indoors. “When it’s windy and rainy this place shakes,” Evelyn said, “Roy’s been hit in the head by flying numbers a couple of times.”

The numbers slide into position at Lathlain so Roy always brings along his tool kit so he can straighten out any numbers that have been damaged by vandals or water between games.

Roy and Evelyn are volunteers. “We love it,” Evelyn explained simply.

Perth moved to Lathlain Park in 1959 after having the WACA as their home from 1899. The current scoreboard has been around for about 50 years, the footings from the old wooden board hold up an advertising sign right next to it.

The Demons won their last premiership in 1977 and last played in the finals in 1997.