RIP Jim Clark

[bradrowe#32]

Sorry for the intrusion, but the CFC lost one its champions on Saturday.

Jim Clark debuted in Carlton in 1943 as an 18 year old and when he left the club at the end of 1951, he was a two-time premiership player (1945 and 1947), best and fairest winner (1951) and three-time Victorian representative (1948, 1949, 1951). He played in the 1945 Bloodbath GF v South Melbourne. He played 161 games, mainly as a defender.

He was a brilliant athlete with incredible pace. He won the 75-yard dash at the Stawell Gift in 1946.

After leaving Carlton, he coached around northern Victoria - including Echuca East, Echuca, Lockington, Bunnaloo, Tongala and my old team Rochester. When he was at Rochester, the club had just been forced into recess because it moved from the Bendigo league to the Goulburn Valley league. Jim coached the club's first two years in the GVFL (1973 and 1974) and was widely loved by the players. He used to turn up to training in his full Carlton gear and participate in all the drills. He was extremely loyal to his players, always calling them his "boys."

He was 88 years old.

 

[thylacine60]

Nicely done, br#32. Must have been some kind of bloke and player.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Thank you for sharing. May he rest in peace.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Can't believe we missed this. Blues will no doubt be wearing black armbands tomorrow night. I recall reading about Jim Clark in our history books. A good innings and by the sounds of it, a top bloke.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[DJMacca]

Thanks for sharing. R.I.P Jim.

 

[BlueMania]

R.I.P. Jim

 

[Dramoth]

RIP Jim... always sad to hear of a club legend passing away... but we all have to go some day.

 

[Wickzki]

Condolences to the family.

May the Blues win by a couple more goals in his name.

 

[sherb]

http://blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Jim+Clark

 

[Jabba73]

There was a write up in the local paper (Riverine Herald) here yesterday.

http://www.mmg.com.au/local-sport/echuca/jim-clark-a-football-gentleman-1.56413


‘‘He always said his greatest achievement was coaching the Echuca thirds to that ’76 premiership,’’ Jillian said.
Jim took on the job, reluctantly at first, but quickly grew to love it and his players.
They went through the season undefeated and Jim would bow out at the end of the season as more than just a coach.
‘‘Dad’s way of doing things was he didn’t just coach football, he built the character of the person,’’ Jillian said.
‘‘Boys being boys growing up, there were a few wild ones in that side.
‘‘After one particular game, Dad received a call at the footy ground letting him know a couple of the boys got themselves into a bit of trouble.
‘‘So off he went and sorted everything out... he never abandoned them.
‘‘He was a father figure and it was a lifelong friendship after that.’’

http://www.mmg.com.au/local-sport/echuca/jim-clark-a-football-gentleman-1.56413

This bit sums up the sentiment pretty well.

Condolences to the family.

 

[sherb]

Nice to see the club pay respect to Jim Clark last night.

As they should I guess, but it was still nice to see.