BIO

A goalkicking rover who sporadically made the Norwood senior team, Albert Lane bowed out on a high note at the start of the 1901 season after his participation in the first match played at Norwood Oval.

Norwood, opening a campaign that would culminate in premiership honours, defeated Sturt 10.11 to 5.8 in that match and Albert was named in the best players.

He also did well on debut in a holiday match at Adelaide Oval late in the 1898 season, getting his chance when eight regular players were missing from the Norwood side to face highly fancied South Adelaide.  Albert kicked an early goal and, with the newcomers doing surprisingly well, put Norwood five points in front at three-quarter time with a nice second goal from a free kick.  In the last quarter, however, South ran away with a 10.11 to 5.8 victory, showing the strength that would take it to the premiership.

Albert was born at Kensington on 5 September 1879 to William Lane and his wife Catherine (née Blair).  After football, Albert was successful with galloping and show-ring performers.  He prepared horses for Mrs E. P. Bush, for whom he managed the Baragoola Stud at Findon.  He also was employed as a motorman on the early electric tramcars.

The Advertiser of 4 July 1945 reported the recent death, at 65, of sporting identity Albert Lane, of Maesbury Street, Kensington.  He was survived by his widow Hilda, a sister of late Adelaide racing trainer Bert Crocker, son Harry and daughter Aimee, the wife of Geoff Horn of Allenby Gardens

P Robins April 2019