BIO

Fred McArthur played with the old Marryatvilles in the 1890s when their home ground was Pile’s paddock, later Kensington Gardens.  Among his teammates were Sid Williams and Mick Gallagher, who would go on to play for South Adelaide and Norwood.  Fred’s brother Jack McArthur, a Marryatville player and club secretary, became a prominent Norwood citizen and lawn bowler. 

Fred was named at centre half-back for his league debut against the reigning premier, South Adelaide, on Queen’s Accession Day 1897.  Before an Adelaide Oval crowd of almost 9,000, Norwood enjoyed an upset 5.6 to 4.6 victory.
 
A new scoring system was introduced in 1897, mainly through the advocacy of the Port Adelaide delegate to the SA Football Association, Mr R. Cruickshank.  Previously only goals were counted, though behinds were still recorded.  Henceforth, a goal was worth six points and a behind one point.  Norwood benefited against Port at Adelaide Oval on 15 May, winning by three points, 3.11 to 4.2.  McArthur was on a forward flank when these teams met again at the same venue on 17 July.  It was wet and windy.  This time a late goal in semi-darkness gave Port a three-point win, 3.10 to 3.7.

McArthur kicked two goals when Norwood thumped West Adelaide 11.20 to 1.4 at Adelaide Oval on 7 August.  He kicked a goal in the 18.18 to 1.1 mauling of West Torrens at Kensington Oval on 16 August.

His last appearance for Norwood was on a half-back flank against Geelong at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday 16 September.  Geelong won 10.7 to 3.5.  Norwood finished the season behind Port and South. 

Fred and Jack played junior cricket for Dulwich between 1894 and 1898.

Frederick A. McArthur was born at Yatta Creek (Barossa) on 25 February 1874 to Benjamin McArthur and his wife Sarah, née Smith.  He had at least five siblings. Fred married Ella Clark at Broken Hill in 1898 and they may have had two children, Vera and Jack.  They resided at Glenelg, though most of his siblings married and lived around Norwood.  Fred was a manager at Colton, Palmer & Preston. He died at the Royal Adelaide Hospital on 2 April 1949 and is buried at the North Brighton Cemetery.