Alan Gale

Alan Gale, also known as Butch Gale (8 September 1930 – 24 March 1987), was an Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy in the VFL during the 1950s.[1]

Alan Gale
Butch Gale in 1961
Personal information
Nickname(s) Butch
Date of birth (1930-09-08)8 September 1930
Date of death 24 March 1987(1987-03-24) (aged 56)
Original team(s) Police Boys' football team
Height 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 91 kg (201 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1948–1961 Fitzroy 213 (19)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1961.
Career highlights
  • Fitzroy Team of the Century
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Background

Gale made his league debut in 1948, at the age of just 17, after being recruited from the Police Boys' football club. His early games suggested that he was little more than an honest trier.[2] However, as his career entered into the 1950s, Gale elevated his performances to a new, higher level. During this period, Gale finished runner-up in the clubs best and fairest award a record seven times. Unfortunately, he never finished first robbing him of an opportunity to be remembered as a great player on Fitzroy's honour board.[2]

Some of Gale's best football came while resting in defence, and he would undoubtedly have made a fine key position defender had Fitzroy been able to spare him from the ruck.[2]

Gale captained Fitzroy from 1958 until his retirement in 1961.[3] He also represented Victoria in interstate football, leading them in 1959. He was named in Fitzroy's official 'Team of the Century'. Gale collapsed and died of a heart attack while addressing Fitzroy players prior to the opening game of the 1987 VFL season.[4]

Career highlights

Playing career:

  • Fitzroy 1948–1961 (Games 213; Goals 19; Brownlow votes 30)[7]

Player honors:

  • 12th Brownlow Medal 1957.
  • Fitzroy captain: 1958 to 1961.[3]
  • Fitzroy Best & Fairest runner-up: 7 times
  • Victorian representative: 12 games

See also

References
  1. Grant, Trevor (26 March 1987). "Butch Gale, a man who refused to shirk the issue". The Age.
  2. Full Points Footy (2008). AFL Player: Alan 'Butch' Gale Archived 4 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 11 May 2008.
  3. Brisbane Lions (2008). Fitzroy Football Club Honour Board 1897–1996 Archived 10 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 11 May 2008.
  4. Piesse, Ken (1993). The Complete Guide to Australian Football. Melbourne: Pan MacMillan Australia Pty Limited. p. 114. ISBN 0330357123.
  5. Footy Stamps (2006). Fitzroy's Team of the Century. Retrieved on 11 July 2008.
  6. Brisbane Lions (2007). Our Kings of the Pride Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 11 July 2008.
  7. AFL Stats (2008). AFL PLayers: Alan Gale. Retrieved on 11 May 2008.
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