Clen Denning
![]() | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2009) |
Clen Denning | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() | |||
Personal information | |||
Full name | Clen Charles Denning | ||
Date of birth | 28 February 1911 | ||
Date of death | 9 November 2009 | (aged 98)||
Place of death | Keysborough, Victoria | ||
Original team(s) | Oakleigh (VFA) | ||
Position(s) | Wing | ||
Playing career1 | |||
Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
1935–1937 | Carlton | 18 (23) | |
1938–1947 | Fitzroy | 159 (59) | |
Total | 177 (82) | ||
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1947. | |||
Career highlights | |||
Player in the 1944 Fitzroy Premiership | |||
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com |
Clen Charles Denning (28 February 1911 – 9 November 2009) was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Soon after he turned 16, Denning played for Victorian Football Association (VFA) club Oakleigh. He got his start in the VFL after a long wait when Oakleigh coach Frank Maher moved to coach the Carlton Football Club. Denning debuted with Carlton in 1935.
Early in his career, Denning made a name for himself as a promising goalkicker; he scored six goals from his first six kicks—all in his first match—a record that stands to this day.[1]
He only stayed with the Blues until the end of 1937, having played 18 games for 23 goals.
In 1938, he crossed over to the Fitzroy Football Club, as he was said to be unhappy at Carlton. He scored 37 goals in 1939 to be their leading goalkicker. From then on he focused more on a defensive role, becoming a back pocket. He represented Victoria at interstate football in 1941, and in 1944 he was back pocket in Fitzroy's premiership side.
After leaving Fitzroy, Denning played for and coached Ararat.[2] In 1958, he was the inaugural VFA coach of the Dandenong Football Club.[3]
From the October 2009 death of Jimmy Bates until his own the following month at 98 years old, he was the oldest living former VFL player.[4]
References[]
- ^ Fine, Mark (2011). The Book of Footy Lists. Australia: Slattery Media Group. p. 300. ISBN 978-1-921778-30-8.
- ^ "ARARAT SECURES FITZROY STAR". The Horsham Times. 17 February 1948. p. 3. Retrieved 6 August 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Fiddian, Marc (2004). The VFA: a history of the Victorian Football Association, 1877–1995. p. 173.
- ^ "Fitzroy great Clen Denning passes away". World News Australia. SBS. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
External links[]
- 1911 births
- 2009 deaths
- Carlton Football Club players
- Fitzroy Football Club players
- Fitzroy Football Club Premiership players
- Oakleigh Football Club players
- Dandenong Football Club coaches
- Australian rules footballers from Victoria (Australia)
- One-time VFL/AFL Premiership players