BIO

From the Laura Football Club, and chased by several SANFL clubs, Ray Clancy had trialled with Sturt in 1953, before deciding to join Norwood the following season.
 
A strong, vigorous rover with a long kick, Clancy was also dangerous around the goals. He would have impressed Norwood officials in an end of season clash against the Redlegs in 1953. Representing a combined team from the Northern Areas Football Association in Jamestown, he was awarded a trophy for one of the best players for the NAFA. Norwood won the match by six points.
 
He made his league debut in Round 6 of the 1954 season, playing as a permanent forward pocket. The game was against arch-rivals Port Adelaide at Port Pirie, in one of the earliest matches played for premiership points outside the Adelaide metropolitan area.
 
Clancy had gone close to playing league football earlier in the year, being named as a reserve in round 1 and 19th man in round 2. He only played another two senior games for Norwood however. His appearances were curtailed by occasional unavailability, and being named on the bench without getting a run in other instances.

R Cialini July 2016

* Picture kindly provided by Rhonda Pech, Rocky River Historic & Art Society