Footy legend Barry Vining died of a ‘heart attack of JOY’: Family’s extraordinary claim about icon’s sudden death
- Barry Vining, 85, died immediately after the grand final last Sunday
- Was one of the biggest names at the famous Australian club
The family of rugby league icon Barry Vining have revealed he died a very happy man watching his beloved team win the grand final, saying he had a ‘heart attack of joy’.
The 85-year-old, who was president of the Newtown Jets for 32 years and was central to their successful battle for survival, died last Sunday shortly after his side defeated the North Sydney Bears to win the NSW Cup decider.
Now his daughter Jamie has opened up about his final moments as his family prepares to celebrate his life at a Jets ceremony next Tuesday.
“There are a lot of stories going around this week that Newtown killed him. The Jets didn’t kill him. People can have a heart attack with joy,” she told the newspaper Sydney Morning Herald.
Vining’s daughter said he told the family earlier this year he wanted to see his team win one last premiership to add to their 2019 NRL State Championship title.
“We kept replaying that statement in our heads,” she said.
“The fact that he saw them win is the silver lining.
“On Sunday we all wore Newtown jerseys. Two of his daughters were there. His grandchildren were there.
Barry Vining (pictured) died surrounded by family after watching his beloved Newtown Jets win the NSW Cup grand final last Sunday
The former club chairman (pictured) told his family he wanted the team to win one last premiership before he passed away
“He got up full time, he was so excited. Then he started going to the bathroom and lent himself out.
‘I said to mum, ‘I don’t think daddy is okay.’ He said he was having trouble breathing.”
Vining’s widow Viki added that she saw he was in trouble just after the family “jumped up screaming” over the win.
He lay on the living room floor with his hand over his heart when he said his last words: “My chest hurts.”
Vining is often credited with keeping the Jets – formerly known as the Bluebags – from crashing out of existence.
They were kicked out of the NSWRL’s first-class competition in 1983 due to financial problems.
During the wilderness years from 1984 to 1990, the club struggled to survive without fielding a team in any division.
Their resilience paid off with a return to competitive play in the NSWRL Metropolitan Cup and subsequent promotion to the NSW Cup.
Pictured: Newtown celebrating their grand final win over North Sydney last Sunday
Vining (pictured left with rugby league Immortal John Raper) will part ways with the Jets next Tuesday
Tributes from lifelong Jets fans poured in immediately after the sad news broke.
“I just heard the sad news of the passing of Barry Vining, a huge supporter of the Newtown Jets. He was a former chairman of our club and was part of the reason we were able to keep the club going after 1983. RIP,” said one supporter.
‘Very sad news, a true Bluebag legend. RIP,” another fan added.
“Condolences RIP Barry, you were the most important person in the survival and revival of the Jets,” another lamented.