BIO

Serious injuries were the low points of Harold Allington’s career with Norwood. In 1932 he missed 10 matches with a broken collarbone; in 1933 spent 3 weeks in hospital with a concussion injury and missed 3 months of football and in early 1935 he chopped off one of his toes with an axe.

In between injuries, Harold played superlative football for Norwood. He was a strapping 185cms tall and his determination and strong marking and kicking allowed him to play in any position on the field. He regularly played on the half-back line, filling in as a ruckman when required, and kicked goals.

In 1934 (a year mercifully without serious injury) he won Norwood’s Best and Fairest award, and played in the State team.

He completed the 1935 season minus one toe, and had a number of football injuries. This was the time of the Great Depression and once Harold found a job he retired from football, not wishing to risk his financial security before marrying.

In 2008 Harold celebrated 70 years of marriage to his wife Margery; he died later that year at the age of 98.


R Crompton May 2013