William C. McClelland

William Caldwell McClelland CBE (9 February 1875 – 30 May 1957) was a medical doctor and an Australian rules football player and administrator. Born at Buninyong, on Victoria's goldfields, to an Irish-born father (David) and his Victorian-born wife (Mary), McClelland went to Brighton Grammar School and then to the University of Melbourne, where he was awarded a BA in 1899, MA in 1901 and MB, BS in 1905.

William C. McClelland
McClelland in 1903
Personal information
Full name William Caldwell McClelland
Date of birth 9 February 1875
Place of birth Buninyong, Victoria
Date of death 30 May 1957(1957-05-30) (aged 82)
Place of death Brighton, Victoria[1]
Original team(s) Brighton Grammar
Position(s) Defender
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1894 Melbourne (VFA) 16 (8)
1898–1904 Melbourne 75 (3)
Total 91 (11)
Representative team honours
Years Team Games (Goals)
1901 Victoria ? (?)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1904.
2 State and international statistics correct as of 1901.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Playing career

He joined the Melbourne Football Club in 1894, but due to injury and medical studies, could not hold a place in the lineup until 1898, and became known as an often brilliant centre half-back. He played in the club's surprise 1900 premiership triumph and was elected as captain the following year, a position he filled for four seasons. Retiring at the end of the 1904 season with a total of 91 games to his credit, McClelland focused his energies on his medical career and he was medical officer to the Brighton City Council for more than four decades.

Administrator

In 1912, McClelland became president of the Melbourne Football Club, and resigned the position after being elected to the presidency of the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1926, succeeding Baldwin Spencer.

He served in this capacity for 30 years, and from 1944 was also the president of the Melbourne Cricket Club, thus simultaneously holding the two highest profile sporting positions in Victoria for 12 years. He was granted a CBE for his services to both sports in 1955.

In 1956, at the age of 81, he handed over the leadership of the VFL to Carlton President Kenneth Luke, who was a more vocal opponent of the hold exerted by cricket clubs over the finances of VFL clubs. McClelland continued as president of the MCC until he died in 1957. He did not marry.

McClelland was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame as an administrator in 1996. His citation read:

Cool level-headed defender for Melbourne who was club president for 14 years before becoming VFL president from 1926 to 1955.

Trophy

In 1950, the VFL instituted the McClelland Trophy, which was awarded to the club with the best overall home-and-away record across the three grades (seniors, reserves and under 19s) at the end of the home-and-away season.

With the transition to a national competition, the league was renamed the Australian Football League in 1990.

The AFL subsequently changed the criteria for the McClelland Trophy; since 1991, it has been to be awarded to the team finishing on top of the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season (the minor premiers).

At the end of 1991, the Under 19s competition was shut down and replaced by the TAC Cup, with the Reserves competition being shut down at the end of 1999 in favour of alignments with, or second teams in, the Victorian Football League and other state leagues.

References
  1. "Death of Dr W. C. McClelland". The Age (31, 848). Melbourne, Victoria. 31 May 1957. p. 1.
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