North Launceston begins blockade CLARKE REFUSED CLEARANCE - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) - 26 Apr 1951 (original) (raw)
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Thu 26 Apr 1951 - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)
Page 11 - North Launceston begins blockade CLARKE REFUSED CLEARANCE
North Launceston begins blockade
TVORTH LAUNCESTON F.C. last night
decided to block every move by
Melbourne F.C. to secure the services of
Noel Clarke, brilliant half forward flanker.
This action might set fire to a football war
which has been smouldering between Tasmanian
and Victorian officials for the last few years.
Launceston club claims it
still requires Clarke's ser-
vices, many football fol-
lowers believe the refusal
is a* reprisal by Tasmania
for Victoria not clearing
Clarke for a clearance to
Melbourne was unanimously
rejected by the club's com-
mittee after a 90-minute dis-
"Although we know Clarke is a
brilliant footballer, he has been
with us for only two years. We
had to 'carry' him for his first
season," Mr. M. Mitchell, North
Launceston P.C. secretary, said
"We made a footballer of this
20-year-old boy. and we expect
some consideration for our efforts.
We are a strong club having
headed tîie premiership list in
North Tasmania for the last five
years," Mr. Mitchell added. '
Clarke is entitled to appeal to
the Northern Tasmanian Football
Association against North Laun
ceston's decision next Monday
If the North Tasmanian Asso-
ciation agrees that Clarke has a
good case for a transfer, they
could grant him a clearance.
The North Launceston club
would challenge any decision
made by the Association, and
would take the case to the Tas-
manian League if necessary, Mr.
Odds would not favor Mel-
bourne if the Clarke case goes
before the Tasmanian Football
It is understood that Tas-
manian officials are very bitter to-
wards South Melbourne P.C. and
the Victorian League as a whole
Tasmanian officials could re
fuse Clarke a clearance as a re-
prisal for Victoria's treatment of
Melbourne might then «take
[ further action and have Clarke's
case placed in the hands of the
Australian National Football
Melbourne P.C. officials helieve
I that North Launceston is giving
Clarke a raw deal. They claim
Clarke's former club officials are
just trying to hinder his career.
Clarke would strengthen the
Melbourne attack. He is a bril-
liant player, and many experts
who have seen him in action pre-
dict that he is a future Brown-