The middle of the 20th century was definitely a different time from today. Women ran the household, buzz haircuts were all the rage, and the Wireless meant something totally different to what it does these days.
In an era of Jack, Keith, Bill, Ken, Ted and Fred, the VFL had some very interesting names. Here we take a look at our favourites.
Max Spittle
The uncomfortable surname of “Spittle” would be tough to deal with in itself, but when your parents add Max to equation, it really isn’t fair. Still, he looked like a strong bloke. And I hear all the girls drooled over him.
William “Billy” Williams
Another cruel decision from parents, William Williams is one of the most unimaginative and unfortunate names you could hope to have. No wonder he called himself “Billy” to try and soften the blow. In his parents defence, apparently it was considered “elegant” to have similar sounding first and last names back in that era. I’m not convinced.
Tom Morrow
This is perhaps one of the best names in all of sport! Word on the street was he was always putting things off until the next day. At least according to his best friend, Todd Day.
Les Bogie
Whenever someone said his name at a disco, he always thought they were asking him to dance.
Ivor Mclvor
As I was going to St Ives, I met a man with seven wives. For some reason I’m reminded of this poem whenever I hear Ivor McIvor’s name. Let’s just call him Macca!
Stuart Stewart
We wonder how long his parents deliberated on whether to call him Stuart or Stewart. I guess now he has both. But whenever someone said his name, he would have no idea if they were calling him by his first name or last name. What would have his nicknames been in the schoolyard? Double Stu? Two Stu? Wart?
Dick Wearmouth
Wearmouth was a winger for Footscray, finishing 2nd in the Brownlow behind Charlie Sutton in 1951. We wonder if that was the first Brownlow count they started reading out the first initial only.
