After 64 years in football, Adelaide Crows volunteer John Everingham is calling time. 

Everingham, 81, has been with the Crows since the team’s SANFL inception in 2014, doing anything and everything required by the team.

But his connections to SA football dates back far further, all the way to his Under-18 days with Port Adelaide.

“I’ve been in football for all my life,” Everingham told AFC Media. 

“Port Adelaide grabbed me when I was at school and from there, I went to Central Districts and then to Woodville Football Club.”

Alongside his playing career, Everingham enjoyed a decent stint as coach at Gaza Football Club and spent more than 10 years on the board for North Adelaide - he’s now a life member of both clubs.

He eventually landed at West Lakes ahead of the Crows’ debut SANFL season, courtesy of a call from Phil Harper.

“Phil rang me up one day and asked me if I’d do him a little favour, and that little favour turned out to be eight years or so,” Everingham said.

“I started timekeeping first, and then I was the team manager for the SANFL side. 

“I do it for the love of it, well that's what it’s all about.”

With eight years at West Lakes to reflect on, Everingham said the best part was “watching the young fellas grow into footballers.”

“I just like being around young fellas I suppose at my age,” Everingham said.

“When you see a new recruit come to the football club, and what happens when you see them mature like Patty Parnell playing like that, you know that’s the benefit I get out of it. 

“I could only give advice of what I’ve been through, they’ve got the opportunity to go on and do bigger things, if they can do that and I see that, well that’s the enjoyment I get out of it.

“It’s a pretty good club, it’s very professional (and) I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Although retiring, Everingham assured he was only a phone call away if the Club ever needed.

“I hope I can still be involved in the club over there,” Everingham said.

“I’ve said to a couple chaps already that if there are times where I can give a hand, well I will. 

“If there are times I can go to the footy and if I’m invited into the rooms and things like that, then that’s what I’ll do. 

“This is the time and I think it’s the right time to retire doing what I’m doing. If we win a grand final that’ll be better, much better.”

Adelaide’s SANFL side will take on Glenelg this Saturday at 1.05pm.