Claude Hamilton Clough (8 October 1884 – 23 February 1922[3]) was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the early 1900s.

Claude Clough
Personal information
Full name Claude Hamiliton Clough
Date of birth (1884-10-08)8 October 1884[1]
Place of birth St Kilda, Victoria
Date of death 23 February 1922(1922-02-23) (aged 37)
Place of death St Kilda, Victoria
Original team(s) Collegians[2]
Debut 1900, St Kilda vs. Melbourne
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1900–1901 St Kilda 23 (8)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1901.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

He holds the record as the youngest-ever player in the league, having made his debut at 15 years, 209 days. Until March 2012, the record was thought to be held by Keith Bromage, who made his debut at 15 years and 287 days. Research by the official AFL historians discovered that Clough was born in 1884, not the previously thought 1880.[1]

Clough's first game of league football in 1900 was notable, as the result of the match was overturned almost a week after the game concluded. The match finished as a draw, with both teams having scored 68 points,[2] but a point kicked by Melbourne at the end of the third quarter was later disallowed and St Kilda was awarded the win.[4] (It would take 106 years before another game's result would be later overturned—coincidentally involving St Kilda—in the infamous Sirengate match.) The 1900 victory with Clough also marked St Kilda's first win since they entered the league in 1897, and it was their only win for the season.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Twomey, Callum (21 March 2012). "Not such a baby Bomber". Australian Football League. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
  2. ^ a b "FOOTBALL". The Argus. Melbourne. 7 May 1900. p. 6. Retrieved 22 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Family Notices". The Argus. Melbourne. 24 February 1922. p. 1. Retrieved 22 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "FOOTBALL". The Argus. Melbourne. 12 May 1900. p. 15. Retrieved 22 March 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ Lovett, Michael, ed. (2010). AFL Record Season Guide 2010. pp. 754–755. ISBN 978-0-9806274-5-9.
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