Alan (Indy) Hickling: A Life of Quiet Devotion is the moving portrait of a man whose legacy isn't written in goals kicked or games won, but in guernseys folded, kit bags packed, and a lifetime of steadfast presence behind the scenes of a beloved football club.
From his birth just a stone's throw from the Swan Districts Football Club to his quiet assumption of the club's property steward role in 1989, Alan "Indy" Hickling has lived a life rooted in purpose, loyalty, and selfless service. The son of revered Swans trainer Jack Hickling, Indy never sought the spotlight?but his devotion became its own kind of heroism. Nicknamed "Indy" by premiership captain Peter Hodyl, Alan became a fixture at the club, known not just for his reliability but for his quiet dignity and fierce commitment.
He never played the game, but few have embodied its spirit more fully. Through the passing of his parents, health challenges, and the changing tides of club footy, Indy remained a constant?a man of routine, heart, and humble resilience. His recognition as Club Person of the Year and Life Member was not a culmination but a footnote to decades of invisible, invaluable work.
This semi-biographical memoir honours not just Indy's life, but the unsung army of volunteers who breathe life into local sport. It's a tribute to the power of showing up?not for glory, but for love.
In a world hungry for headlines, Indy Hickling's A Life of Quiet Devotion reminds us that greatness can be quiet, steady, and deeply felt. Alan Hickling's story is one of integrity, consistency, and the kind of quiet strength that holds clubs?and communities?together.
