Footy legend Barry Vining died of a ‘heart attack of JOY’: Family’s extraordinary claim about icon’s sudden death

Rugby league icon Barry Vining’s family have revealed died a very happy man as he watched his beloved team win the grand final, saying he had a ‘heart attack from joy’.

The 85-year-old, who was the president of the Newtown Jets for 32 years and was central to their successful fight to stay alive, passed away last Sunday just moments after his side beat the North Sydney Bears to win the NSW Cup decider.

Now his daughter Jamie has opened up about his final moments as his family prepare to celebrate his life at a Jets ceremony next Tuesday. 

‘A lot of stories this week have said Newtown killed him. The Jets didn’t kill him. People can have heart attacks from joy,’ she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Vining’s daughter said he told the family earlier this year that he wanted to see his team win one last premiership to add to their 2019 NRL State Championship title.

‘We kept replaying that comment in our heads,’ she said.

‘The fact he did see them win is the silver lining.

‘We were all wearing Newtown jerseys on Sunday. Two of his daughters were there. His grandkids where there.

The long-time club president (pictured) told his family he wanted to see the team win one last premiership before he passed away

‘He stood up on full-time, he was so excited. Then he started to go to the bathroom and lent over.

‘I said to Mum, “I don’t think Dad’s OK”. He said he was struggling to breathe.’

Vining’s widow Viki added that she saw he was in trouble just after the family had ‘jumped up screaming’ over the win.

He was lying on the lounge room floor with his hand on his heart when he said his final words: ‘My chest hurts.’

Vining is often credited with keeping the Jets – formerly known as the Bluebags – from crashing out of existence.

They were ejected from the NSWRL first-grade competition in 1983 due to financial difficulties.

During the wilderness years from 1984 to 1990, the club fought for survival without fielding a team in any grade. 

Their resilience paid off with a return to competitive play in the NSWRL Metropolitan Cup and subsequent promotion to the NSW Cup.

Pictured: Newtown celebrate their grand final win over North Sydney last Sunday

Vining (pictured left with rugby league Immortal John Raper) will be farewelled by the Jets this coming Tuesday

Tributes from lifelong Jets fans started flowing in straight after the sad news broke.

‘Just heard the sad news of the passing of Barry Vining, a great supporter of the Newtown Jets. A past president of our club and he was part of the reason we were able to keep the club going after 1983. RIP,’ one supporter posted.

‘Very sad news ,A true Bluebag legend. R.I.P,’ added another fan.

‘Condolences RIP Barry you were the most important person in the survival and revival of the Jets,’ lamented another.