William Clarke

Melbourne Rules - Challenge Cup Competition
Career: 1864

W. H. "Bill" Clarke

In an interview with H. C. A. Harrison found in Trove, the Referee newspaper April 14 1914 (p14), Harrison talks about the early days of the game and mentions Wm. Clarke amongst seven other early players for the Blues. So far this seems to be the only mention of a William Clarke.

The Adelaide newspaper The Journal December 01 1922 p8, mentions W. H. "Bill" Clarke who was an all round sportsman. He resided in Melbourne in the 1880's and played for Carlton when Tommy Leydin was the captain. See article below.

There is much confusion with the Clarke name. At least three or four people have that surname in the early days of the club. Without the first name or initial, plus typo errors in the printing process in the match reports makes it difficult to pinpoint the actual player.
We have mention of a J. Clarke, Jim E. Clarke or J. A. Clarke, and now William Clarke.


Trove; The Journal December 01 p8 1922

Links

Blueseum: Pre VFL Players