Clen Denning

Clen Charles Denning (28 February 1911 – 9 November 2009) was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Clen Denning
Personal information
Full name Clen Charles Denning
Date of birth (1911-02-28)28 February 1911
Date of death 9 November 2009(2009-11-09) (aged 98)
Place of death Keysborough, Victoria
Original team(s) Oakleigh (VFA)
Position(s) Wing
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1935–1937 Carlton 018 (23)
1938–1947 Fitzroy 159 (59)
Total 177 (82)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1947.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Soon after he turned 16, Denning played for Victorian Football Association (VFA) club Oakleigh. He got his start in the VFL after a long wait when Oakleigh coach Frank Maher moved to coach the Carlton Football Club. Denning debuted with Carlton in 1935.

Early in his career made a name for himself as a promising goalkicker; he scored six goals from his first six kicks in his first match.[1]

He only stayed with the Blues until the end of 1937, having played 18 games for 23 goals.

In 1938 he crossed over to the Fitzroy Football Club, and was said to be unhappy at Carlton. He scored 37 goals in 1939 to be their leading goalkicker. From then on he focused more on a defensive role, becoming a back pocket. He represented Victoria at interstate football in 1941 and in 1944 was back pocket in Fitzroy's premiership side.

After leaving Fitzroy, Denning played for and coached Ararat.[2] In 1958, he was the inaugural VFA coach of the Dandenong Football Club.[3]

From the October 2009 death of Jimmy Bates until his own the following month, he was the oldest living former VFL player.[4]

References
  1. Fine, Mark (2011). The Book of Footy Lists. Australia: Slattery Media Group. p. 300. ISBN 978-1-921778-30-8.
  2. "ARARAT SECURES FITZROY STAR". The Horsham Times. National Library of Australia. 17 February 1948. p. 3. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  3. Fiddian, Marc (2004). The VFA: a history of the Victorian Football Association, 1877–1995. p. 173.
  4. "Fitzroy great Clen Denning passes away". World News Australia. SBS. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
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