Latest Article (click to read)
Recent Articles
Bendigo Football Association 1901 to 1906- Published At: 2019-03-10 15:15 - (806 Reads)Turmoil, argument, teams folding and teams appearing,even new competing competitions. The final years of the gold mining boom in Bendigo were interesting times for football in the town.
A Favourite Not Forgotten – the football biography of Geelong’s John Haygarth- Published At: 2019-02-23 11:16 - (5661 Reads)John Haygarth was an exciting Geelong footballer in the fifties. This article is the story of his football life, including his controversial departure from Geelong in 1959. The article includes an interview with John and photographs from his personal collection.
Jack Collins - Footscray’s ‘Jack Of All Trades’- Published At: 2019-02-09 13:40 - (838 Reads)Seven Goals in the 1954 Grand Final, 154 VFL Games, Footscray Team of the Century, Club Secretary, Club President, fightback in 1989. Jack Collins was a great player with a great story.
Ambrose Dyson - The Herald 1909-1911- Published At: 2018-11-17 14:22 - (704 Reads)Ambrose Dyson was one of the earliest regular football cartoonists in Melbourne. He worked a brief few years before the First World War before tragety struck.
Tom O'Halloran - The Tiger From Timaru- Published At: 2018-11-11 14:49 - (1533 Reads)Tom O'Halloran’s dedication and love for his club should be acknowledged and it is hoped that this story may stimulate new interest in the dynamic high flyer from Punt Road. Roger's article lets you see why Tom O’Halloran was introduced into the Richmond FC Hall of Fame in 2013.
|
Random Articles
The Story of Night Football in Victoria - Part Three - The Brisbane Connection- Published At: 2013-03-08 13:31 - (4951 Reads)In this third article on the history of football under lights in Victoria, we move to the 1940's and early 1950's. Early trials had proved the concept and 1950 would see the first ANFC Carnival to include night games followed by the first night game as part of the VFL regular season.
The Hero from Orphanage - The Story of Len Johnson- Published At: 2014-10-30 14:55 - (7055 Reads)The story of Leslie Albert Johnson, better known as Len, is a tale of how one determined young man overcame hardship to become a ‘local hero’ with Essendon FC in his short VFL career. Len also left his mark as a country football coach, professional sprinter and a soldier who died on active service in Malaya in 1942.
Len’s story is uplifting but it is not without pathos and tragedy. Photos of Thomas Quinlan – Flemington CYMS- Published At: 2014-04-16 12:32 - (5691 Reads)Neither Thomas Quinlan (left) nor his mate Clem (right) made it to the big leagues. But the Y.C.W. and C.Y.M.S. football were large and popular competitions, and Catholic Youth teams played sport all around the country. In Melbourne, Flemington was a strong team with a strong reputation.
Toms' Flemington photos taken from 1944-47 were taken just as the League Thirds (Under 19s) in 1946 and when North Melbourne won the inaugural premiership. These snapshots supplied by grand-daughter Veronica Poynton provide a window into this forgotten world. ANFC Football Carnival - Sydney 1933- Published At: 2013-01-13 14:09 - (8670 Reads)ANFC Interstate Football Carnivals had been held since 1908. These events were widely reported and provided many rare opportunities. Players had a chance to travel, The game of football was promoted and celebrated, scouts were able to measure players in other competitions and important rivalries could be revisited.
The 1933 Carnival was won by Victoria. |
Historical Articles (Reprinted)
Recent Articles
Dan Minogue Tells Why He - Gave Up Mining for Football- Published At: 2019-03-10 14:22 - (335 Reads)Dan Minogue begins today his own story of his distinguished career. And a human, gripping story this great football personality has to tell! It is brimming with all the incident, thrills, humor and pathos which he has encountered during a quarter of a century as crack player and successful captain and coach. Turning back Time, Dan takes readers behind the scenes with him; into club rooms and on to playing fields as he lives again his hours of triumph —and disappointment.
Former Umpire writes His Reminiscences- Published At: 2018-12-15 09:58 - (588 Reads)Famous South Australian Umpire Johnny Quinn's reminiscences appeared in the News (Adelaide) in 1940. Quinn was famous for his smile and his gestures. He also took part in redrafting the rules of the game.
Melbourne’s Chief Play Grounds - No. 9— The Old East Melbourne Ground- Published At: 2018-12-15 08:36 - (569 Reads)Old Football Days. Teams and Men.- Published At: 2018-11-16 08:33 - (689 Reads)Originally appeared in The Argus 2-May-1908. Observer (Donald McDonald) the great Australian Journalist looks back at the best players in his 30 years writing on football.
|
Random Articles
Forty Years of Football- Published At: 2016-10-14 07:19 - (2730 Reads)Jack Worrall, (Fitzroy player, Carlton/Essendon Coach), Test Cricketer and journalist, looks back at forty years of football. The original articles from 1923-24 appear over a number of weeks. (Formatting and sub-headings have been added to make to article easier to read.)
Former Umpire writes His Reminiscences- Published At: 2018-12-15 09:58 - (588 Reads)Famous South Australian Umpire Johnny Quinn's reminiscences appeared in the News (Adelaide) in 1940. Quinn was famous for his smile and his gestures. He also took part in redrafting the rules of the game.
Great Football Dramas—No.5 Vital Kick to Decide Honors- Published At: 2016-06-17 12:22 - (2155 Reads)This article describes the Fitzroy v Collingwood final to determine the 1903 VFL premiership. A very close affair between the two great teams of the era. A game decided by the final kick of the day.
Dan Minogue Tells Why He - Gave Up Mining for Football- Published At: 2019-03-10 14:22 - (335 Reads)Dan Minogue begins today his own story of his distinguished career. And a human, gripping story this great football personality has to tell! It is brimming with all the incident, thrills, humor and pathos which he has encountered during a quarter of a century as crack player and successful captain and coach. Turning back Time, Dan takes readers behind the scenes with him; into club rooms and on to playing fields as he lives again his hours of triumph —and disappointment.
|
Article Archive...
An Introduction to Charles Boyles
Charles Boyles SLV2008.122/451 (Cropped) Source: State Library of Victoria Photographic Collection
The website is centred around the photos of Charles Boyles, a Melbourne-based photographer. Boyles primarily took photos of Australian Rules Football teams and players. He appears to have started this football work in the late twenties. He continued through the 1930's, the years of the Second World War, and then right up to his final photos in the early sixties. Unlike most commercial photographers, Charles Boyles did not wait for customers to come to him. Boyles set up his camera on training nights, and on game days took posed team photos after the players had run onto the ground. These were sold directly to the clubs, players and general public. On Saturdays, at the games, the photographer's son Harley Boyles (and others) would take a satchel of mixed photos and sell them throughout the game. Unlike newspaper photos, therefore, a Boyles photo was something you could own, take home, and treasure. There are no action shots or photos of games in progress. Boyles specialised in team photos and player portraits, with the players looking directly to camera. Today these photos are used by clubs, by family historians, and by those interested in football history. They often appear uncredited in football history books. Boyles did not restrict himself to the leading football competition of his era, the Victorian Football League. During his working life he attended many different competitions. He covered the VFA, Wartime Services matches, the various Victorian workplace competitions, the Sunday leagues, and other competitions. Learn More about the Life of Charles Boyles
Read Ken's article on the methods, motives and life of Charles Boyles. The article includes notes from an extensive interview with Harley Boyles about his father. See Charles Edward Boyles: From Tripod to Website. |
Website Aims and Objectives
This website contains work by two independent researchers, Ken Mansell and Michael Riley. Our objective is to share our own passion for history and provide a friendly resource for family historians, football buffs and others who have an interest in the Charles Boyles photos and more generally in football photography from the 1920's to 1960's.A Football History Website
This site has grown to cover more than just football photos. There is an amazing amount to explore. You can start with articles, player pages, ground pages, team and league pages as well as information on players careers outside football.All Football Photographers Not Just Charles Boyles Photos
This site contains photos from many of Boyles's contemporaries. These contrast Boyles's style, and add to an understanding of sport, photography, and the football of the time.Football Outside the VFL
Charles Boyles took photos of VFL teams, but also took photos of VFA teams, Workplace Teams and teams in Junior Leagues. Also, for many players the VFL was just a small part of their footballing story. This site attempts to build a picture of the football world during Boyle's working period. This world is worth explored through articles and the pages thoughout the website. Sources of Images on this Website
We are not associated with any library or institution. We have received permission from a variety of people and institutions to include their images on this particular website. Each photo is labelled as to it's source. Please contact the relevant source for permission to reproduce any images. The appearance of an image on this website does not mean that it is public domain. Although many (not all) photos are out of copyright, many images are available here under 'Terms of Use' agreements with the relevant organisation. We credit the photographer and the photo source wherever possible, |
Examples of Boyles Photos
|
Kew Sub Districts 1939 - State Library of Victoria Photographic Collection
|
North West Suburbs Police Team circa 1935 - State Library of Victoria Photographic Collection
|
Carlton Seconds, 1956 - State Library of Victoria Photographic Collection
|
|
Bob Wilkie - St Kilda - State Library of Victoria Photographic Collection
|