The Carlton Football Club has lost another of its sons of the 1940s, with the passing of Kenneth Aitken.

Aitken, a 14-game player for the Blues from 1948-51, died at Caritas Christi Hospice in Kew on Monday night, just three weeks short of his 80th birthday.

Recruited to Carlton from nearby South Merlynston, Aitken first sported the No.5 guernsey later worn by Syd Jackson, Ken Sheldon, Andrew McKay and the Club’s current captain Chris Judd.

“He was a ruck-rover, back pocket player. At 20 years of age he played his first game ever on Jack Dyer,” Aitken’s son Phillip said.

“He was a good mate of Jim Francis’s. For many years he kept in touch with Jim.”

Aitken, Carlton’s reserve grade best and fairest of 1951, also represented the Blues in their 2nd XVIII Grand Final victory in that year. He later pursued his on-field career at Collingwood, representing the Magpies in 17 senior matches in 1952.

But Carlton was the Club to which Aitken dedicated most of his life. As Under 19s coach from 1956-59, he tutored some of the great Carlton players of the future, including 239-game dual premiership player Sergio Silvagni.

“Ken was my first coach. He was a terrific bloke, a nice fellow,” Silvagni said.

“He was a gentle type of coach. He was instructive, measured, he didn’t rant and rave and he was a good mentor to me.”

Until his death, Aitken remained a loyal and passionate supporter of Carlton and its past players association. As Phillip said: “He had a soft spot for Collingwood, but he loved Carlton”.

Aitken’s death follows last week’s passing of 90 year-old Frank McGrath, who represented the Blues in their premiership season of 1945.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn, sons Phillip and Bruce, daughter Pam and four grandchildren.