Dan Minogue Tells Why He- Gave Up Mining for Football

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.

In his first instalment of a fascinating series, he describes his career from his early days as a miner at Bendigo. then on through stirring times with Collingwood and Richmond, until his advent as coach at St. Kilda, where he vowed to turn the Saints into Devils' —and has done so.

By DAN MINOGUE,
with P. J. Millard

I DID not become a League footballer by accident. It was deliberate design on my part. You see, I was a miner at Bendigo; and, for reasons which I regarded as good, sufficient and pressing, and which I shall immediately explain. I wanted to change my lot, So I decided to 3 capitalise my football ability, I have never regretted the step.

As I toiled as a miner in Bendigo in my younger days, the desire to get away from a life that seemed to hold no future and little happiness for me, became stronger and stronger, and finally an obsession. It got right under my skin. Football rescued me.

I had seen the saddening spectacle of many fine young fellows being stricken down with the dreaded miners' disease to die prematurely—young blooms literally cut off in their prime.

That tragic side of the arduous occupation of miner set me flunking deeply. And the more I thought of it the more convinced I became that there were far better things in the world than being a miner.

"You’d better get out while your luck's in, Danny, my boy." I said to myself. My resolve was suddenly strengthened in startling fashion. One day I accidentally fell some 60 feet down a shaft I was terribly 5 shaken and bruised, but luckily. I escaped with that. I was fortunate not to be killed, or, at any rate, seriously injured.

That's the gipsy's warning I muttered to myself. I became all the more determined to quit a life which I was beginning to dislike intensely. But how was I to get away? Ah, I had it – football! That was my escape And so It proved.

I am not trying to boast, but merely recording an essential part of my story, when I say that at the time, I was considered rather a good footballer in Bendigo. 1 played every week for recreation—about the only recreation I got beyond a little rowing with Sandhurst R.C on Lake Weeroona.

The City Calls

Indeed, some League scouts from Melbourne had already suggested to me that I was suitable material for polishing up in the city, and that I could do worse than seek my football fame and fortitude there.

I had not paid much heed to them previously but, after I bad broken the speed record for a descent down that shaft. I turned my thoughts to Melbourne. 1 was seized with the ambition to go there, and as soon as possible, too. To me, "the matter was urgent" as the radio announcers say.

At that lime 1 had no preference for any particular League club in Melbourne. Any club would have served my purpose. However, I pondered deeply over attractive offers in two letters, which I had just received from Ernie Copeland. Collingwood Secretary, and Con Hickey, Fitzroy Secretary. Eventually I decided to go to Collingwood. as their offer of employment was more definite - it meant going to a job at the South Melbourne gasworks as soon as I arrived. That was in 1911.



Gully are now defunct, but at that time, when I was a youth of 18, they were one of the four senior clubs in Bendigo. We had in Bendigo a good many players who on Saturdays also played with League teams in Melbourne. From then we learned the finer points of the game.

Appearing with California Gully like that in 1910 made me ineligible for Collingwood until the next year. Perhaps I was foolish to Strip for Gully, and so for the time spoil my chance with Collingwood, but I was young and a bit impetuous, and was in the thick of it for Gully »J-, most before I realised it.

Queer Trophy

Playing as follower and centre half forward, I was that day adjudged equal best with another player in the California Gully 18 for a trophy. The joke about the trophy was that it was a pair of trousers, presented by a Bendigo tailor. In those days men often bought a pair of striped pants to wear with a separate coat and vest.



I have only a hazy recollection about the first ‘football’ I ever kicked, but I seem to remember faintly, as a tiny nipper, kicking the stuffing out of a ball, made with an old sock for a cover and filled with a discarded shirt. But I felt my first real itch to play football when I was a schoolboy at Marist Brothers College Bendigo.

From school football I graduated to junior ranks by joining St Killans at Bendigo. They were a first- rate junior side. It was while playing with them that I first came under notice of Melbourne clubs. Altogether I received invitations to come down and train with Fitzroy, Essendon, St.Kilda, Carlton and Collingwood.

As I have said, I went to have my first try-out with Collingwood in 1910. Until that year a player could appear in a Bendigo League side on Wednesday and also with a Melbourne League team on the Saturday. But this was stopped in 1910 - the very season I left junior football. That was why, having played with California Gully, I could not go to the Magpie nest to play tht seson.

At the time when Bendigo players were playing in Melbourne on Saturdays, we footballers and fans in Bendigo got a great kick from listening – with a certain amount of reverence, by the way – to their exciting experiences in the big Melbourne games. They were to a large extent heros in our eyes. We always listened to them with rapt attention, many of us cherishing the ambition to go and do likewise.

High Jinks

Prominent among such players who played the dual role was Fred Jinks of Carlton fame who also turned out with the Eaglehawk team on Wednesdays. Tall and wiry, and about 14 stone. Fred was meant by Nature to be the rugged footballer he was. His very powerful shoulders and long arms, with his octopus grip, made him a difficult customer to cope with. He could make the game just as willing as the enemy wanted it.



Other well known men who played in both Bendigo and Melbourne in the same season were: Paddy Mills, Melbourne and South Bendigo, ‘Henna’ Wright, Melbourne and South Bendigo; Joe Canavan , Melbourne and Long Gully and South Bendigo; Charlie Clymo, St Kilda and Eaglehawk; Tommy Baxter, Collingwood and Long Gully; Bert Pearce, St Kilda and South Bendigo; Len Bowe, Essendon and Long Gully.

Then there were the three celebrated Daykin brothers, trio of fine fellows and footballers. ‘Bony’ Daykin starred with Long Gully, and with Baxter was a member of Collingwood’s premier team in 1910. ‘Dubs’ Daykin made a name with South Bendigo and Carlton; and ‘Red’ Daykin with South Bendigo and Essendon. I forgot some of the Daykin’s first names, but their expressive nicknames are still a vivid memory.

I take off my hat to all these and other grand players who did so much to raise the standard of the game in Bendigo. They were real footballer, all the Daykins, the Jinks, the Clymos, the Bowes, the Canavans and the rest of the classy gang.

The very first man ever to coach me at football was the self-same Joe Canavan. While I was playing with St Killans he was our coach. From Joe I learned many a wrinkle. A polished rover himself, he had the faculty, some-what rare even in the present days, of imparting his knowledge to others. As Joe and I worked together in the Carlisle mine (Long Gully), we formed a firm friendship, which was carried into football.

‘Bony’ Daykin, who also worked as a miner alongside me, gave me many valuable hints on the art—and it is an art—of following. His breezy chats on his games in Melbourne quickened my urge to go to the big city and take part in such thrilling experiences myself.



And so, to my heartfelt relief, changed from "Miner to Magpie." No more incessant weary burrowing into the very bowels of the earth. Hence-forth, if I had my way, I'd be a Magpie—flying gloriously in the fresh air, and enjoying life

My League Debut

My first game in League football: Shall 1 ever forget it! It was. for me, both a triumph and a tragedy. It was against Richmond (whom I led later), on the opening day of the 1911 season. Thrust into the key position of centre halfback. 1 was pitted against the redoubtable, high-marking Tom Heaney — a champion on his day, if ever there was one. It was a fiery baptism for a recruit But I gritted my teeth Next week I will describe my stirring tussles with Heaney—and the sequel. Near the finish I accidentally sustained a nasty mishap, which proved a temporary setback. But after the game. I had the satisfaction of hearing the Collingwood selectors saying: "Well done, lad!"

My performance in that to me, vital match, put me on the road to football success. Tm thankful to say. I played or six seasons with Collingwood, the last three – (1914, ’15 and part of ’16) – as captain. Then I went to the war as a gunner, and served on the Western Front. My term with the A.I.F. kept me occupied from the latter part of 1916 until 1 returned to Australia on June 27 1919.

1914 Sniders N Abrahams I Collingwood Dan Minogue Otway Jack (thecollectingbug)	AFL Record 1914 R1 P22 Dan Minogue Collingwood	1915 Sport Magazine 'Footballer Postcard' For 'Collingwood F.C. D.Minogue Carters
Winner 22 Nov 1916 P6 Private Dan Minogue	Winner 20 Dec 1916 P7 Match In London

A few days after my return. 1 applied to the League for permission to play with Richmond Having been out of Australia for more than three years, I did not need a clearance from Collingwood. Technically, I had ceased to be a member of that club. But to my amazement the League refused my application on the ground that it had not been lodged by July 1.



I now reveal, for the first time, my real reason for wanting to transfer to the Tigers. It has been the subject of speculation by fans ever since. They were puzzled at my not going straight back to the Magpies, especially after having captained them. Well, rightly or wrongly, I did not approve of the way that Collingwood treated a great pal of mine – a fine player for them – while I was away at the war. Never mind his name. You’d recognise it at once. But it doesn’t matter now.






I may have allowed sentiment to sway my feelings in that case — I don't know. But I have never had cause to feel sorry for my action.

Attracted To Tigers

It was Norman Clark, of Carlton fame; then coaching Richmond, who made the first overtures to me in 1919, to become a Tiger. As I had also formed a great friendship with that magnificent footballer, Hughie James, while on active service. I felt strongly attracted towards Richmond.



For six years I was captain and coach of the Tigers. Then, late in 1925 season. I had one of my knees injured, and did I not play again with Richmond, resolving to retire as player. But In 1926 Hawthorn offered me a position as coach. I accepted, not intending to play. However, one day I played in a practice match, and my leg did not trouble me. So I became their captain as well. But for one match only. My knee went before the game was finished. I stuck it out till the final bell. But 1 never played League football again. I was coach at Hawthorn for two seasons.

1921 Magpie Rays 18 Richmond Dan Minogue Otway Jack (thecollectingbug)	1921 McIntyre Bros Football Champions Series 1 D.Minogue (Richmond)	1922 Magpie Richmond D Minogue Otway Jack (thecollectingbug)	AFL Record 1921 Week 4 Finals P11 Dan Minogue Richmond
1922 Magpie Cigarettes Richmond Dan Minogue	Farmers Advocate 16 May 1924 P4 Dan Minogue Richmond	Farmers' Advocate Melbourne 20 Jun 1924 P5 Dan Minogue Richmond	Herald 8 Jun 1925 Dan Minogue Richmond

Unique Record

Thus I hold the unique record of being the only player ever to captain three League teams. Another thing I am proud of is that during the whole of my career as a player, I was never reported by an umpire, nor was 1 ever concerned in any incident as a result of which a player was reported. And this, notwithstanding that I was always a follower in the ruck, where all the heavy work is supposed to go on!

From Hawthorn I went to Tasmania for a most delightful season as captain and
coach of New Town (Hobart). I really went in the first place as non-playing coach, but once again, forgetting my Hawthorn lesson, I felt the urge to play. My knee did not let me down this time. I played throughout the season. My days in Hobart are among the happiest of my life.

While on a visit to Hobart Carlton officials approached me to coach their team the next year. They knew that I had gone to Hobart for only one season on exchange duty in the Postal Department (which I entered as telephone mechanic In 1915). Accepting Carlton's offer, I coached the Dark Blues in a non-playing capacity for six seasons. In 1935 I was appointed non-playing coach by St Kilda - a job I still hold with very great pleasure.

The Age 3 May 1929 P5 Dan Minogue Carlton	The Sporting Globe Football Book 1929 P49 Dan Minogue
The Age 25 May 1936 P4 Dan Minogue StKilda	Age 16 Jul 1937 P7 StKilda Team	Herald 9 Apr 1937 P17 Dan Minogue StKilda

END

Editors Notes

Playing career

Years	Club	Player (Games/Goals)	Coaching (W–L–D)
1911–1916	Collingwood	85 (37)
1916-1919	WW1 Service	-	-
1920–1925	Richmond	94 (38)	105 (59–45–1)
1926–1927	Hawthorn	1 (2)	36 (4–31–1)
1928	New Town (Tas)	?	?
1929–1934	Carlton		117 (85–32–0)
1935–1937	St Kilda		54 (30–24–0)
1938	St Kilda Seconds		?
1940–1942	Fitzroy		51 (25–26–0)
Total		180 (77)	363 (203–158–2)

This article is the first of a series of articles about Minogue's career.

Sporting Globe 10 Jul 1937 P8 Gave Up Mining For Football	This article
Sporting Globe 17 Jul 1937 P8 Broke Collarbone In First League Game	Dan Minogue Tells How He ...Broke his Collarbone in his first League game Sporting Globe 17-Jul-1937 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180836009
Sporting Globe 24 Jul 1937 P8 Would Not Leave Field	Dan Minogue Again Broke Collarbone Early but would not leave the field Sporting Globe 24-Jul-1937 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180836575
Sporting Globe 31 Jul 1937 P8 League Captain At 22	Dan Minogue was League Captain at 22 Sporting Globe 31-Jul-1937 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180837234
Sporting Globe 7 Aug 1937 P8 Bluff That Nearly Put Him Out	Dan Minogue Tells Of Bluff that nearly put him out Sporting Globe 7-Aug-1937 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180837882
Sporting Globe 14 Aug 1937 P8 Never Heard Of Collingwood	Refusing Leave, Officer Tells Dan Minogue He Had Never Heard of Collingwood Sporting Globe 14-Aug-1937 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180838310
Sporting Globe 21 Aug 1937 P8 Famous AIF Match In London	Dan Minogue Describes Famous A.I.F. Match in London Sporting Globe 21-Aug-1937 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180838936
Sporting Globe 28 Aug 1937 P8 Left Sick Bed To Win Premiership	When Dan Minogue Left Sick Bed to Win Premiership Sporting Globe 28-Aug-1938 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180839478
Sporting Globe 4 Sep 1937 P8 Stole Pennant From Carlton	Minogue Tells How Richmond Stole Pennant from Richmond Sporting Globe 4-Sep-1937 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180840044
Sporting Globe 11 Sep 1937 P8 Richmonds Most Sensational Season	Dan Minogue Describes Richmonds most sensational Season Sporting Globe 11-Sep-1937 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180840464
Sporting Globe 22 Sep 1937 P2 Carlton Avenged An Insult	Dan Minogue Tells How How Carlton Avengend an Insult Sporting Globe 18-Sep-1937 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180841134
Sporting Globe 25 Sep 1937 P8 Clover Greatest Post War Star	Clover Greatest of All Post War Stars - 12 men who shone in Set Positions Sporting Globe 25-Sep-1937 p8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180841607

You can also read Minogue's view on the Associations Throw Pass rule in Sporting Globe 6-Aug-1938 p5 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180868338

Dan Minogue