Preston Football Club Players 1937 – 1940

Researched players

1939 Possibilities–

Frank Dowling – Born ~1911? Predominately played wing. Preston 1931-35, 1938-41. Captain / Coach 1941.  http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Dowling,_Frank.php

Front row, third from right.

Alby Morrison – 29-1-1909 – 24-9-1997 183cms. Preston 1939-40. Captain/Coach both years. Footscray 1928-38, 1941-42, 1946. 224 games, 369 goals.  http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Morrison,_Alby.php

Middle row, third from right.

Arthur Sleith – 22-12-1917 – 17-12-2008. 183cms. Preston 1937-41, 1946. Carlton 1942-43 (5 games)

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Sleith,_Arthur.php

https://blueseum.org/Arthur+Sleith

Back row, second from right.

Alf Roach – 22-4-1918 – 25-8-2012. Played Full Forward / Follower / Centre Half Back.  Preston 1938-41.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Roach,_Alf.php

Back row, third from left.

R. A. (Joe) Beagley – Played flanks and pockets. Preston 1936-40, Camberwell 1934-35, Coburg 1940-41, from C/Wood 1936. Played in Coburg’s GF team in 1941.

Photo taken prior to 1941 GF –http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Reference_+1941+VFA+Grand+Final

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Beagley,_R._A._’Joe’.php

Back row, second from left.

Wally Miller – 21-10-1917 – 26-5-1992. 165cms. Preston 1939-40. From Footscray. Fitzroy 1943-45.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Miller,_Wally.php

http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Fitzroy+Senior+Team+1945+%28FBLHS+S45%29

Front row, third from left.

Rex (R.F) Job – 9-8-1910 – 24-5-1999. 180cms. Follower. Preston 1937-39. From Carlton 2nds – 1 game Carlton 1931.  ‘Moment in time’ article also has Carlton/Brisbane 1930 photo with Job in it.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Job,_Rex.php

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/305313/rexs-moment-forever-frozen-in-time

Bill Seedsman – 19-9-1914 – 10-10-2001. 183cms. Preston 1939-41, 45. Hawthorn 1936 – 1 game. Collingwood 1942 – 1 game. No photos found.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Seedsman,_Bill.php

George Colbane – Preston 1938-40. Centre Half Back and Centre Half Forward. Nothing more found.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Colbane,_George.php

Ingy (Ingwald) Norman – 20-4-1911 – 7-7-1990. Preston 1939-40. 185cms. Fitzroy 1938 – 1 game. Original club East Brunswick.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Norman,_Ingy.php

Update April 2021 –

I now don’t believe Ingy arrived at Preston until 1940. New found details can be found here.

Jack Clarke/Clark? – Preston 1935-41. Centre Half Back / Full Forward / Follower.  Sth Melb 1934. South Gambier 1932. Wolseley FC?

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Clarke,_Jack__Pre35.php

Phil Dunstone – 4-10-1914 – 19-9-2000. 170cms. Preston 1936-41. Northcote 1934. Nth Melb 1943&44. Served in War. Only photo found – https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/188803314

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Dunstone,_Phil.php

Bill Lowenthal – Born 1909. 173cms. Preston 1938-41. Essendon 1930-35,37. Brownlow medal runner up 1933.  Fitzroy 1937 – 13 games.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Lowenthal,_Bill.php

http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Bill+Lowenthal

All photos are around 5 years earlier than 1939 – can’t pick him out.

Les Ross – Preston 1938-41, 1946. Rover. Lilydale FC announced a Les Ross (b. 13/8/1916) died aged 94. (so 2010) ex President and Coach. Pascoe Vale 1937, Fitzroy 1942. Coached Parkside Amateurs in the VAFA (coached Ray Gabelich 1954)

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Ross,_Les.php

Parkside 1954 Premiership photo – https://websites.sportstg.com/gallery.cgi?g=7272&c=0-3232-160726-0-0&e=160726&et=3&ci=5&ti=0&a=next  (not sure which is Les Ross…..)

Ernie Dunham – Preston 1939-41. Wing / Forward Pocket. From Emerald. Left Carlton Reserves 1938.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Dunham,_F.__Pre39.php

Des Hanscombe – 1939 (10 games) – 1940 (2 games) Back Pocket. Nothing else found.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Hanscombe,_Des.php

T. White* – Only played 1939. 17 games – Rover / Forward Pocket / Wing.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/White,_T__Pre38.php

Update April 2021 –

Appears to actually be Clarrie White. New findings can be found here.

Ken Watkins – 17-8-1919 – 18-4-1984. 179cms. Preston 1939-41.  *Broke collarbone 1939 – final game played in 1939 was round 13.  Poss not in photo? Yarraville 1941 and 1947, but only 3 games.  Nth Melb 1944, 5 games. Mention of transfer to Footscray 1941. Served in the War. No photos found.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Watkins,_Ken.php

Possibly not in photo?

Jack Robertson – Preston 1937-1939. Mainly played flanks and pockets. 19th man in Round 13, however Ken Watkins broke his collarbone in 1939, and if it happened in this game, then Robertson could quite possibly be in the photo.  Originally from Abbotsford.  Nothing more found.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Robertson,_Jack__Pre37.php

Jack Norman –

Update April 2021 –

Now believe that Jack arrived at Preston in 1939. New found details can be found here.

1938 Possibilities–

Frank Dowling – See 1939. Played every game.  Front row, second from left.

Alf Roach – Played all home games from R4.  Middle row, third from right.

Bob Muir – 6-4-1907 – 11-6-1973. 175cms. Preston 1935-39. From Fitzroy 1935. Pocket / flanker. Played every game. Collingwood 1927-32. Footscray 1933-34. Fitzroy 1934.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Muir_(footballer)

1938 – back row, second from right.

R. A. (Joe) Beagley – See 1939. Played every home game. Middle row, far left.

Wyn Murray – 4-7-1908 – 21-12-1947. 178cms. Preston 1934-40. Captain/Coach 1938, before resigning and being replaced by Bob Muir. One rep game (VFA) 1937. Melbourne 1929-34 – 65 games. Only missed R16 home game.  1938 – Middle row, third from left.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyn_Murray

http://demonwiki.org/gallery379

Bill (Socks) Maslen – 1-1-1916 – 8-10-1974. 173cms. Preston 1935-41 and 1945-49. St Kilda 1939-40. Mainly Back Pocket.  http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Maslen,_Bill_’Socks’.php

Back row, far right.

Norm Campbell – 4-3-1919 – 9-1-1981. 179cms. Preston 1937-38. Only missed one away game. Played centre and HFF. Collingwood 1939-42, 1946 – 68 games. Played in 1939 losing GF.

Collingwood 1941 photo. (with Les Main)  Back row, second from left –

http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Collingwood+Senior+Team+1941+%28Age%29

1942 photo –

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norm_Campbell

1938 – back row, fourth from right.

W. (Bill) Spokes – 13-11-1913 – 31-10-1985. 180cms. 87kg. Preston 1933-34, 1938, 1941, 1945. Played R4, 6, 8, 13 & 14 home games. Brunswick 1934-35. Williamstown 1939-40. Fitzroy 1943-44. Was also a boxer. Pocket, Flanker, and occasional Follower.

1939 Williamstown premiership photo – https://www.williamstownfc.com.au/premiership-photos  Second front row, far right, however, photo distorted and impacts the appearance of Spokes.

1944 Fitzroy seconds team photo.

http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Fitzroy-Brisbane+Lions+Historical+Society

Possibly middle row, second from right???

Phil Dunstone – See 1939. Only missed R1 and 2.

Bill Lowenthal – See 1939. Only played 3 home games (R4,6 & 8)

George Colbane – See 1939. Played every game from R6.

Jack Clarke – See 1939. Played every game.

Les Ross – See 1939. Played last 4 home games of the season.

Rex (R.F) Job – See 1939. Played R6, 8, 10, 13 & 14 home games.

Kevin J. Brown – Preston 1935-40. Every home game from R6. Played CHB, Follower, Flanks. From Preston CYMC (Catholic Young Mens Society) league.

Jack M. Haskett – 25-6-1911 – 5-3-1992. 180cms. Played every home game. Career F/Back. Preston 1937-39. Northcote 1934-37. From Hawthorn 1934. North Melb 1933 – 3 games. Played winning GF for Northcote in 1934, with Harry Clack.

Northcote 1934 team photo –

http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Northcote+Senior+Team+1934+%28SLV+122_076%29

Aubrey Robinson – Preston 1935-38. Only missed last 3 games of season. Mainly Wing and Flank. From Footscray 1935.

Update April, 2021 –

It appears that Aubrey was actually at Preston in 1933. New details can be found here.

Don Whitechurch – Preston 1935-38, 18 games. 19^th man in R14.

Ken Walker – 17-10-1919 – 25-7-2013. 183cms. Preston 1937-39. Only played R4&5 in 1938, but did play 14 games in 1937. St Kilda 1938-45 – 109 games, 81 goals. Burnie 1946, Launceston 1947-49 (3GFs), Benalla 1950-51 Capt/Coach.

Photo – https://australianfootball.com/players/player/ken%2Bwalker/6347

St Kilda 1940 – https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/wp-content/uploads/StKilda1940-768×546.png

St Kilda Hall of Fame induction – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6y2bQfMGVI

Tim O’Brien – Preston 1938-39. Six games total including R4 1938 home game. Brother of Test cricketer, Leo.

Jack Doherty – Preston 1938-39 – 3 games total. Played R16 Home game. Brother of a Collingwood player – Vin?

Edwin Gilbert – Preston 1937-39, but only one game 1939. Played every home game in 1938 from R4. CHF / HFF his whole career. Junior from local CYMS. Should be in both the 1937 and 1938 photo.

Thomas G. Jones – Preston 1937-39. Only missed R14 home game. Played every game 1937. Likely to be in both 1937 and ’38 photo. Predominately CHB / HBF. From Nth Melb 1937.

J. MacPherson – Preston 1938. Only home game R16. From Preston CYMS. Unlikely in photo.

H. Turner – Preston 1938. Only home game R4. From Eaglehawk, Bendigo.

Found a Herb Turner – https://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Herb+Turner that played at Carlton from 1944-49 (86 games) DOB 6-7-21 means he would have been 16 in 1938. At 170cms he fits with Rover / FP positions he played in 1938. Possibly same guy, but probably unlikely to be in photo.

R. Warren* – Preston 1938-39. Only missed R1, 2 & 16 in 1938, so will be in photo. Predominately CHF. From Fitzroy sub districts 1938.

*April 2021 update –

Seems to actually be Ron Warren –

Details can be found here.

Jack Robertson – See 1939. Played both R14 and 16 home games. Also played last 9 games of 1937 season. Possibly in photo.

 

Assumptions / beliefs / confirmations about 1938 photo

It’s a home game, therefore R2,4,6,8,10,13,14,16.

It was not taken in Round 2 as Alf Roach did not play.

Wyn Murray being in it, means it was not taken in Round 16.

The Captaincy change between Murray and Muir may hold the key to which round it was taken in. If the positions in the photo count for anything, then Murray is still Captain, which means it was either R4 or R6. And if Ken Walker is not in the photo, then it would have to be R6. (only played R4)

One observation is that they all looking pretty happy in the photo. R6 may make sense, as they won, whereas the R4 game they lost by a point, after believing they had drawn it.

 

1937 Possibilities–

R. A. (Joe) Beagley – See 1939. Back row, fourth from left. If so, photo was taken R2,4,5 or 15.

Wyn Murray – See 1938.   Back row, third from left.

Edwin Gilbert – See 1938.   Middle row, third from right.

Bob Muir – See 1938.  Middle row, fourth from right.

Ken Walker – See 1938.  Middle row, second from left.

Norm Campbell – See 1938. One home game (R15). Don’t believe he is in 1937 photo, which means it was taken R2,4 or 5.

Bert Hyde – 3-6-1907 – 23-10-1989. 180cms. Preston 1936-37. 1937 – played home games with Beagley only in R2 and R4.  Captain/Coach. Brunswick 1924. Hawthorn 1925-35 – 129 games.

Middle row, third from left.*  *Means it was taken R2 or R4.

http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Bert+Hyde

Fred Hughson – 22-5-1914 – 23-10-1987. 183cms. Preston 1933-37. (1937 – 3 games (R2&4)) Played CHF. Fitzroy 1938-47 – 164 games. Coached 1943-47.

Back row, third from right.

Could also be in 1934 photo – http://boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Preston+Senior+Team+1934+%28BrM%29

Middle row, second from left.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Hughson

1939 photo –http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Fitzroy+Senior+Team+1939+%28FBLHS+S39%29

1945 photo – http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Fitzroy+Senior+Team+1945+%28FBLHS+S45%29

Bill Maslen – See 1938. 1937 – every game except R5.

Middle row, third from right.

Phil Dunstone – See 1939. Played Rounds 1 – 10, but was 19^th man in R4, but did get on ground.

Harry Clack – Preston 1936-38. Wing. 11 games 1937. Northcote 1934 – played in GF, with Jack Haskett, and should be in Northcote’s team photo – http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Northcote+Senior+Team+1934+%28SLV+122_076%29

From Melbourne to Northcote in May 1934. Played seconds with Melb in 1933 and did not play a senior game.  Was 19^th man in R2 game, but came on in last quarter replacing Brown. He’s listed as ‘Black’, in this newspaper article – https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/20733840

Also played R4, however, he was replaced after getting injured in the last quarter, by Phil Dunstone.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/20733928

Could be in both, neither, or only one….

Richard (Dick) Dowling – Preston 1936-37. Plays Wing. 13 games 1937. Frank Dowling’s brother? But Frank’s nickname was Dickie.

*See ‘Concerns’ below

Ralph (Harry) Underhill – Preston 1930-37. Played Wing. 1937 – 2 games. 1934 – whole season. Coached the seconds in 1936 and 1937. B&F 1937. Northcote 1933 – 2 games, 1934 – 1 game.

Noel Fisher – 26-2-1912 – 21-5-1985. 179cms. Played Full Forward. Preston 1936-37. (1936 – B&F and won goal kicking) Sandringham 1937-40. Fitzroy 1934-35 – 7 games. 

John Harding – Preston 1932-38 (1934 – 12 games, 1937 – 3 games(R2)) Foll / CHB   

Kevin Brown – See 1938. Played first four rounds, but was injured in the R4 game with a possible arm fracture and doesn’t play again in 1937.  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/19265389

Claude Cannaway – 26-10-1911 – 19-1-1989. Preston 1934-37. Back Pocket/Half Back Flank. Fitzroy 1933 – 1 game.

William Cooper – Preston 1935-38 Follower/Half Forward Flank

Arthur Sleith – See 1939.  Only played second half of season.

Jack Clarke – See 1939. Played from R5.

Jack Haskett – See 1938. Played from R7.

L. Walsh* – Preston 1935-37. Rover/Centre. 14 games.

Is actually –

William ‘Billy’ Walsh – See new findings (April 2021) here

Alan Catterall – Preston 1937 – R5 only. Brunswick 1936 – 1 game.

Edwin Latham – 16-10-1914 – 25-9-1982 Preston 1937 – 15 games. Rover. Footscray 1936 – 2 games. 158cms!!! – https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/92434/blues-little-big-man-remembered

Is he here? https://www.scotch.vic.edu.au/greatscot/2010decGS/58a.htm

Will be in it. At 158cms, front row, second from right???

Darrell Wilkins – 1-10-1915 – 1-1-1964. 170cms. Preston 1937-38. FP. St Kilda 1936 – 2 games.

Rex Job – See 1939. Played from R5, so unlikely in it. 

Les Main – 26-11-1915 – 28-11-1998. 178cms. Half Back Flank/Back Pocket. Preston 1937 – 2 games (R4&5) To Albury 1937. Collingwood 1941-43 – 21 games.

Not confident he’s in it, and if not, then photo was taken R2.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Main  

https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/les-main/  from  http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Collingwood+Senior+Team+1941+%28Age%29

(Front row, far right)

Thomas G. Jones – See 1938. Played every game. 

Charles Constance – Preston 1937 – 7 games. R13-16, and only 1 home game.

S. Le May – Preston 1937 – 4 games. R11-14 (2 home games)

H. Virtue – Preston 1937 – 12 games. Back Pocket. From North Melbourne seconds. Played R2, so possible.

Jack Robertson – See 1939. 9 games from R8.

 

Assumptions / beliefs / confirmations about 1937 photo

It’s a home game (black shorts), therefore R2,4,5,7,9,11,12,15.

With Fred Hughson in it, then it should have been taken in either R2 or R4.

Not confident Les Main is in it, and if that’s correct, then photo likely taken R2.

*Concerns

Frank Dowling played 1931 – 1935 inclusive, before returning in 1938 and playing until the end of 1941.

He was known as Dickie.

A Richard Dowling, known as Dick, played R1 1936, before ‘retiring’ due to medical issues, prior to R2.  He had only just been named vice captain the week before.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/19258187

Richard Dowling then returns and plays most of 1937, including every home game, before never again playing for Preston.  They also both played Wing.

Unable to find any information on Richard Dowling, prior to 1936, or after 1937, and also unable to find where Frank Dowling played in 1936 and 1937.

Additionally, in the week leading up to R1 1938, there’s no mention of Frank Dowling being new / returning to the club. Bill Spokes, however, was mentioned.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/19249323

 

1940 Possibilities –

Appears to be at Port Melbourne, and if so, would have been taken Round 10, 22 June, 1940.

 

Alf Roach – Back row, far right.

Arthur Sleith – Middle row, third from right.       

Frank Dowling – named 19th man.  Front row, far left.

Bill Maslen – Back row, fourth from left.

Alby Morrison – Back row, second from left.

Fred Beaumont – Preston 1939-41. Brunswick 1935 & 1938. Wing / Centre.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Beaumont,_Fred.php

Photo from Brunswick (middle row, far left) –

http://boylesfootballphotos.net.au/tiki-index.php?page=Brunswick+Seconds+1930s+%28SLV+122_054%29&fbclid=IwAR1ceF94syzfA2RixigFBJkkl438dXRxyJgIFN-siblztc0WIRc5GalxXN4

Middle row, second from right.

Bert Minney – 7-1-1914 – 20-5-1999. 178cms. Played predominately Half Back line. Preston 1940-41, 1945. Fitzroy 1938-39.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Minney,_Bert.php

Fitzroy 1938 team photo (also mentions Lowenthal in post) – https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/list-watch.900636/page-2

Second 1938 Fitzroy team photo with names –

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/01/8b/99/018b99f655fbdce916359c7513d87fbf.jpg

Middle row, second from left is Bob Sayers – https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/fitzroy-football-club-a-look-back-20-years-after-the-clubs-demise/news-story/2c654440a6009f16b0206f2bba6c44b7

Middle row, second from left.

Ingy Norman – 

Update April 2021 –

Now believe that Ingy was only at Preston during the 1940 season. New found details can be found here.

Jack Norman – 2-8-1909 – 23-3-1994. 188cms. Preston 1940-41, 1945-46. Played Ruck. B&F 1941. Fitzroy 1938 – 1 game.  B&F East Brunswick 1935.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Norman,_Jack.php

1945 photo – http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Preston+Team+Photos

Update April 2021 –

Now believe that Jack arrived at Preston in 1939. New details can be found here.

Kevin J. Brown – See 1938.                         

Jack Clarke – See 1939. 

Phil Dunstone – See 1939.

Les Ross – See 1939.                     

Bill Seedsman – See 1939.

Ken Watkins – See 1939.                            

Lou Sleeth – 26-2-1916 – 29-11-1990. 173cms. Preston 1940. And 4 games with Coburg in 1940??? Richmond 1937-38. Also played at Box Hill. Played Half Forward Flank.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Sleeth,_Lou.php

Update April 2021 –

1938 Richmond team photo, with names, from Trove –

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/586334

Middle row, third from left.

Bob Taylor – Preston 1940-41. Prahran 1939? Pocket / Flanks. There is an R. Taylor in the 1937 Prahran team photo – http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Prahran+Team+Photos

However, there is no record of R. Taylor playing in 1937. R. Taylor did, however, play 1938-39.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/Taylor,_Bob_Pres41.php

Charlie White – Preston 1940. Played Wing. From Melbourne 2nds 1940.

http://www.thevfaproject.org/pages/Players/White,_Charlie.php

Update April 2021 –

Is actually Clarrie White, and was at Preston in 1939 and 1940. New details can be found here.

Wally Gray  – Replaced (injured shin) by Dowling at half time.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/188808211/20723239

Suspect he is not in photo.