Former Redcliffe Dolphins player and Moreton Bay Regional Councillor James Houghton sadly passed on Tuesday 28th November during a holiday to New Zealand, aged 81.

Mr Houghton served the community in local government for 19 years and was first elected to Redcliffe City Council in 1973-76, and again in 2004 before representing Division 5 as a Moreton Bay Regional Councillor until 2020. 

James was a multiple premiership winning player for the Redcliffe Dolphins winning two reserve grade premierships in 1962 and 1966 as well as the clubs historic first BRL A grade in 1965. 

He became Redcliffe Dolphin #41 when he made his first-grade debut in round 3 of the 1962 season against the Valleys Diehards at Lang Park. 

James played 44 first grade from his beloved Dolphins between 1962 and 1966, crossing for 10 tries for a total of 30 points. 

He played with some of the greatest players our club has seen; Ken McCrohon, John Treeby, Tom Connolly, Col Weier, George Gledhill, Kevin Yow Yeh, Henry Holloway and Arthur Beetson to name a few.  

James had a long association with the Dolphins after his playing days had ended including the 2014 Queensland Cups side trip to Papua New Guinea to take on the Hunters. 

On that trip James presented the team with their jerseys and gave a pre-match speech that nobody who was trip will ever forget.  

That day in Kokopo was also a special one for James who received his Dolphins players cap from Chairman Bob Jones.  

James was dedicated to the Redcliffe Peninsula community and the Dolphins – his lifelong passions. 

Vale James Houghton forever Redcliffe Dolphin #41