Richard Head (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Henry Richard 'Dick' Head (3 April 1887 – 20 December 1940), was an Australian rules football
er who played 143 games with West Adelaide in the South Australian Football League
(SAFL).
Head made his league debut in 1906 as a teenager and in 1909 became just the second ever West Adelaide player to win a Magarey Medal
following on from team mate James Tierney's win in 1908.
The Register
described him as a deserving winner of the award. "The one man who shone above all others was Head, West Adelaide’s centre pivot," the paper reported. "In nearly every match in which the red-and-blacks took part he was the best of the 36. On the ground he was too clever for all opponents, and in the air about the only player who eclipsed him was Hutton, of Norwood. Much of the success which West Adelaide achieved was due to his wonderful skill, resourcefulness and judgment, with which he associated considerable speed, absolute unselfishness and a gentlemanly demeanor. If anybody deserves the Magarey medal, Head does."
He was appointed club captain in 1913 and also captained the South Australia interstate side that year. Head was chosen to represent South Australia more often than not during his career, playing 37 games in total for his state.
In 1921 he crossed to Sturt but managed just four games before announcing his retirement. He returned to the league however the following season as non-playing coach at Glenelg
and with the side struggling he took the field for seven games that year to finish with a total of 154 SAFL games. Head continued as Glenelg coach in 1923, his last season of coaching in the SANFL.
Several years after quitting active involvement with football he returned as a member of the first Umpires Appointment Board in 1931 along with other well known figures as Vic Richardson
and later became chairman. Head was still serving football in that capacity when he died on 23 December 1940.
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 143 games with West Adelaide in the South Australian Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
(SAFL).
Head made his league debut in 1906 as a teenager and in 1909 became just the second ever West Adelaide player to win a Magarey Medal
Magarey Medal
For the biography award of the same name, see Magarey Medal for biography. For a list of winners, see List of Magarey Medallists.The Magarey Medal is an Australian rules football honour awarded annually since 1898 to the fairest and most brilliant player in the South Australian National Football...
following on from team mate James Tierney's win in 1908.
The Register
South Australian Register
The Register, originally the South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register, was the first South Australian newspaper. It was first published in London in June 1836 and folded almost a century later in February 1931....
described him as a deserving winner of the award. "The one man who shone above all others was Head, West Adelaide’s centre pivot," the paper reported. "In nearly every match in which the red-and-blacks took part he was the best of the 36. On the ground he was too clever for all opponents, and in the air about the only player who eclipsed him was Hutton, of Norwood. Much of the success which West Adelaide achieved was due to his wonderful skill, resourcefulness and judgment, with which he associated considerable speed, absolute unselfishness and a gentlemanly demeanor. If anybody deserves the Magarey medal, Head does."
He was appointed club captain in 1913 and also captained the South Australia interstate side that year. Head was chosen to represent South Australia more often than not during his career, playing 37 games in total for his state.
In 1921 he crossed to Sturt but managed just four games before announcing his retirement. He returned to the league however the following season as non-playing coach at Glenelg
Glenelg Tigers
Glenelg Football Club is an Australian rules football team, which plays in the South Australian National Football League. The club is known as the "Tigers" , and their home ground is Gliderol Stadium @ Glenelg , located in the southern coastal suburb of Glenelg East, South Australia.-Club...
and with the side struggling he took the field for seven games that year to finish with a total of 154 SAFL games. Head continued as Glenelg coach in 1923, his last season of coaching in the SANFL.
Several years after quitting active involvement with football he returned as a member of the first Umpires Appointment Board in 1931 along with other well known figures as Vic Richardson
Vic Richardson
Victor York Richardson OBE was a leading Australian sportsman of the 1920s and 1930s, captaining the Australian cricket team and the South Australian Australian rules football team, representing Australia in baseball and South Australia in golf, winning the South Australian state tennis title and...
and later became chairman. Head was still serving football in that capacity when he died on 23 December 1940.