Frank Sparrow

Frank Sparrow
Personal information
Full name Frank Sparrow
Date of birth 1 July 1927
Date of death 31 December 2000(2000-12-31) (aged 73)
Position(s) Centreman/Half back
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1943–52
1953–55
1956
Total		 East Perth
Swan Districts
West Perth		 126
051
006
183
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1956.

Frank Sparrow (1 July 1927 – 31 December 2000)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played for East Perth, Swan Districts and West Perth in the WANFL during the 1940s and 1950s. His father was fellow West Australian Football Hall of Famer Val Sparrow.

Sparrow spent most of his career either as a centreman or across half back. He started his career at his father's club, East Perth in 1943 during the underage period (due to the war, and won the F. D. Book Medal for their 'Fairest and Best' in 1948 and 1952. He captained East Perth in 1951 and the following season finished second in the Sandover Medal count.

Swan Districts acquired his services in 1953, as captain-coach, and he won their 'Fairest and Best' in his first season. He remained in the role for a further two years before crossing to West Perth for one final season, also as captain-coach. In 1957 he retired as a player but remained West Perth's coach, leading them to the final, before joining the media and becoming one of Western Australia's best known football commentator on both television and radio.[2]

A regular interstate representative, Sparrow played 17 games for Western Australia, most notably in 1951 when he was appointed captain and at the 1953 Adelaide Carnival where he achieved All-Australian selection.

References

  1. ↑ "Frank Sparrow - Player Bio". Australian Football. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  2. ↑ Christian, Geoff; Lee, Jack; Messenger, Bob (1985). Jordan, Ray, ed. The Footballers: A History of Football in Western Australia. Perth, Western Australia: St George Books. p. 62. ISBN 0-86778-025-8.
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