Bill Cleary (Australian footballer)

Bill Cleary
Personal information
Full name William Cleary
Date of birth 20 February 1868
Place of birth Ballarat East, Victoria
Date of death 27 January 1942(1942-01-27) (aged 73)[1]
Place of death Kew, Victoria
Original team(s) South Ballarat
Height 177 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight 68 kg (150 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1886–1887 South Ballarat 029 0(6)
1888–1896 Fitzroy (VFA) 152 (44)
1897–1899 Fitzroy 021 0(6)
Total 202 (56)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1899.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

William 'Bice' Cleary (20 February 1868 – 27 January 1942) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Fitzroy Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Cleary came from South Ballarat, and after two seasons crossed to Fitzroy. He was vice captain in 1894–1896, and after Tom Banks retired, was 28 when he captained Fitzroy in the inaugural VFL season. He resigned the captaincy, which went to Alec Sloan the following season.

His final game was as a forward pocket in Fitzroy's 1899 Grand Final triumph, having come into the side towards the end of the season after not playing for over a year.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Family Notices". The Argus. No. 29, 776. Victoria, Australia. 29 January 1942. p. 2.
[edit]