Fred Clarke (1 December 1932 – 17 August 2020) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Richmond in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
| Fred Clarke | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Fredrick Clarke | ||
| Date of birth | 1 December 1932 | ||
| Date of death | 17 August 2020 (aged 87) | ||
| Original team(s) | Heidelberg | ||
| Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Weight | 92 kg (203 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1951–1953 | Richmond | 21 (0) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1953. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
During his career he wore the number 17 guernsey made famous by Jack Dyer, the first player to do so after the retirement of Dyer.[1]
Career
editClarke came to Richmond as an 18-year-old in the 1951 VFL season, from Heidelberg.[2] He was 19th man in the opening round, then was moved from his natural half-back flank position to full-back for the second round against South Melbourne, after an injury to Bob Wiggins.[3][4] Described as a fast moving and robust player, Clarke appeared again in round three, then spent a brief period of time in the seconds.[4] In July he learnt he would have to leave Richmond for military training, compulsory for 18-year-olds during the Korean War, which ended his season.[5]
He put together 14 appearances for Richmond in the 1952 season, 12 of them in succession, playing in a variety of positions including full-back.[6][7]
In the 1953 season, Clarke played four early games before suffering a thigh injury from which he was unable to recover well enough to make any more appearances.[8] He was unlucky with injuries again in 1954, unable to get a game he was granted a clearance to Maryborough in late June.[9][10]
A member of five Heidelberg premiership teams, he is a back pocket in the club's Team of the Century.[11][12]
Personal life
editFred had four brothers, Robert (Bob), Ronald, Colin Thomas and Ralph Gordon Clarke.
He eventually met Fay, his wife. Fred and Fay had four children, three sons and a daughter.[13]
His eldest son, Neil Clarke, played 135 games for Essendon and featured in two premiership sides.[14]
References
edit- ^ McClure, Geoff (13 November 2003). "Date aside, Tigers get Jack's number". The Age. realfooty.com.au. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 9781920910785.
- ^ "Rookies Given Big Job". The Argus. Melbourne. 20 April 1951. p. 11. Retrieved 13 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b "Recruit big task". The Argus. Melbourne. 27 April 1951. p. 13. Retrieved 13 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ ""Tiger" Gets a Call-Up". The Argus. Melbourne. 25 July 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 13 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "AFL Tables – Fred Clarke – Games Played". AFL Tables. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ "Full back, fall forward posts in doubt: Four Tigers Battle for Key Positions". The Argus. Melbourne. 20 March 1953. p. 10. Retrieved 13 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "S.A. star trains with Tigers: Deane Looks Ready". The Argus. Melbourne. 10 March 1954. p. 23. Retrieved 13 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Tigers Re-Allot Famous Guernsey". The Argus. Melbourne. 17 June 1954. p. 16. Retrieved 13 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Richmond". The Argus. Melbourne. 30 June 1954. p. 22. Retrieved 13 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Daffey, Paul (1 May 2009). "The hardest loss". Herald Sun. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ "Team of the Century". Heidelberg Football Club. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ "A loss far bigger than the game". The Age. realfooty.com.au. 5 April 2003. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ Hillier, K. (2004). Like Father Like Son. Pennon Publishing, Melbourne. ISBN 1-877029-73-4.
External links
edit- Fred Clarke's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Fred Clarke at AustralianFootball.com
- Bartlett, Rhett. "Fred Clarke: The Teenage No.17".