Len McCankie
Encyclopedia
Len McCankie was an Australian rules football
er who played with Footscray
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL) during the 1940s.
McCankie, a half back and ruckman, was only 16 when he made his league debut in 1941. He represented the VFL in the 1947 Hobart Carnival
, having also appeared at interstate level in 1945. During his time with Footscray he played in four semi finals but was never part of a winning finals team. At the end of the 1950 season, the now vice-captain was in the running to replace Arthur Olliver
as playing coach but the job went to Charlie Sutton
instead.
He instead took up the position of North Hobart captain-coach, leading them from 1951 to 1953, with the highlight being a grand final appearance in his first season. In 1953 he captain-coached Tasmania in the Adelaide Carnival
and won the first ever Lefroy Medal. From 1955 to 1956, McCankie was coach of Welshpool
in the Alberton Football League
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with Footscray
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL) during the 1940s.
McCankie, a half back and ruckman, was only 16 when he made his league debut in 1941. He represented the VFL in the 1947 Hobart Carnival
1947 Hobart Carnival
The 1947 Hobart Carnival was the tenth edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition.North Hobart Oval hosted the matches during the carnival, most of them under heavy rain...
, having also appeared at interstate level in 1945. During his time with Footscray he played in four semi finals but was never part of a winning finals team. At the end of the 1950 season, the now vice-captain was in the running to replace Arthur Olliver
Arthur Olliver
Arthur Olliver was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League , and coached successfully in the then Western Australian National Football League ....
as playing coach but the job went to Charlie Sutton
Charlie Sutton
Charlie Sutton is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .Although he served the club for many years as coach and committee man, he is perhaps best known for captaining his team, Footscray to their only premiership, in 1954.A tough, nuggety Bulldog player who...
instead.
He instead took up the position of North Hobart captain-coach, leading them from 1951 to 1953, with the highlight being a grand final appearance in his first season. In 1953 he captain-coached Tasmania in the Adelaide Carnival
1953 Adelaide Carnival
The 1953 Adelaide Carnival was the 12th edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition...
and won the first ever Lefroy Medal. From 1955 to 1956, McCankie was coach of Welshpool
Welshpool Football Club
Welshpool Football Club was an Australian rules football club that participated in the Alberton Football League from 1946 up until 1994. With the continual struggle to entice outside players to the club and a constant strain in retaining local juniors due to lack of employment opportunities, the...
in the Alberton Football League
Alberton Football League
The Alberton Football League is an Australian rules football league covering the South Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia.-History:The Alberton Football League was formed in 1946, replacing the earlier Alberton Football Association, and comprised eight clubs—Carrajung, Devon, Foster, Ramblers,...
.