Andrew Manzie
Encyclopedia
Andrew Arthur Albert Manzie (30 November 1863 – 9 September 1943) was the secretary of the Melbourne Football Club
for 20 years, from 1912 to 1931. Before being secretary of Melbourne, Manzie had the same role at Richmond Football Club
for five years.
, Manzie became secretary of Richmond in 1907, a year before the Tigers were elevated from the Victorian Football Association
(VFA) to the Victorian Football League
(VFL). In 1909, Manzie was made a life member of Richmond, at the time only the 15th person to be awarded with the honour. Despite this, in 1911, at Richmond's annual general meeting, a "reform group" attempted to remove him from the role of secretary. An "overwhelming majority" defeated the motion, but Manzie was still disappointed by the behaviour of many at the meeting and he left Richmond at the end of the season. A petition was circulated among Richmond supporters, in an attempt to keep him at Richmond and stay on as secretary after news of him becoming secretary of Melbourne was announced, but Manzie did not return to Richmond.
became president of the club. McClelland and Manzie set about rebuilding the Melbourne side, which had been performing poorly over the previous few seasons, a task made more difficult when Melbourne was forced to withdraw from the VFL from 1916 to 1918, due to World War I. Many Melbourne players died in the War and Manzie was once again forced to rebuild. Although Melbourne did not play finals again until 1925, Manzie's hard work paid off when Melbourne only their second ever VFL premiership in 1926
. He retired from his role as secretary in 1931, after 20 years in the job, having for many years been known by his nickname, "the Old Sec". He was succeeded by Charlie Streeter. For his contributions to the club, Manzie was made a life member. He remained a passionate supporter of the Demons until his death.
. He was survived by his wife, Monica, who died on 27 December 1951, and their three children; F. Keith Manzie, film critic for The Argus
; Rupert Andrew Manzie, who lived in Sydney and was a manager of the London Assurance Company; and Wilfred Cranswick who also lived in Burnley. Richmond players wore black armbands the game following Manzie's death as mark of respect for his contributions to the club.
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
for 20 years, from 1912 to 1931. Before being secretary of Melbourne, Manzie had the same role at Richmond Football Club
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
for five years.
Early life
Born on 30 November 1863, Manzie grew up in Richmond and was educated at Central State School, Richmond.Richmond Football Club
Taking over from George BeachcroftGeorge Beachcroft
George Peckham Beachcroft was an influential early administrator of the Richmond Football Club.He served as club secretary from on or before 1900 until 1905, when Richmond was in the Victorian Football Association . During his tenure the club won the VFA premierships of 1902 and 1905...
, Manzie became secretary of Richmond in 1907, a year before the Tigers were elevated from the Victorian Football Association
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
(VFA) to 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). In 1909, Manzie was made a life member of Richmond, at the time only the 15th person to be awarded with the honour. Despite this, in 1911, at Richmond's annual general meeting, a "reform group" attempted to remove him from the role of secretary. An "overwhelming majority" defeated the motion, but Manzie was still disappointed by the behaviour of many at the meeting and he left Richmond at the end of the season. A petition was circulated among Richmond supporters, in an attempt to keep him at Richmond and stay on as secretary after news of him becoming secretary of Melbourne was announced, but Manzie did not return to Richmond.
Melbourne Football Club
Manzie joined fellow VFL club Melbourne for the 1912 season, taking over from G. W. Lamb, the same year that William C. McClellandWilliam C. McClelland
William Caldwell McClelland CBE was a medical doctor and an Australian rules football player and administrator. Born at Buninyong, on Victoria's goldfields, to an Irish-born father and his Victorian-born wife , McClelland went to Brighton Grammar School and then to the University of Melbourne,...
became president of the club. McClelland and Manzie set about rebuilding the Melbourne side, which had been performing poorly over the previous few seasons, a task made more difficult when Melbourne was forced to withdraw from the VFL from 1916 to 1918, due to World War I. Many Melbourne players died in the War and Manzie was once again forced to rebuild. Although Melbourne did not play finals again until 1925, Manzie's hard work paid off when Melbourne only their second ever VFL premiership in 1926
1926 VFL Grand Final
The 1926 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Melbourne Football Club and Collingwood Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 9 October 1926. It was the 30th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine...
. He retired from his role as secretary in 1931, after 20 years in the job, having for many years been known by his nickname, "the Old Sec". He was succeeded by Charlie Streeter. For his contributions to the club, Manzie was made a life member. He remained a passionate supporter of the Demons until his death.
Victorian Football League
In 1915, Manzie was the honorary secretary of the VFL and was also on numerous VFL committees, often presiding when the VFL president was absent. Manzie was made a life member of the VFL for his services to the ANFC.Personal life
Manzie was described as "a commanding personality, a finely-built handsome six footer, a wonderful organiser; a brilliant after-dinner speaker and a man of outstanding character and integrity". His wife, Monica (née Bellew), was known as the "mother of the Richmond Football Club" and even after Manzie moved to Melbourne, her passion for the Tigers never wavered. The couple lived on Punt Road near the home grounds of both Melbourne and Richmond. Monica had "family connections with show business" and they entertained many famous guests in their house. Manzie died on 9 September 1943, at his home in BurnleyBurnley, Victoria
Burnley is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Yarra. At the 2006 Census, Burnley had a population of 708....
. He was survived by his wife, Monica, who died on 27 December 1951, and their three children; F. Keith Manzie, film critic for The Argus
The Argus (Australia)
The Argus was a morning daily newspaper in Melbourne established in 1846 and closed in 1957. Widely known as a conservative newspaper for most of its history, it adopted a left leaning approach from 1949...
; Rupert Andrew Manzie, who lived in Sydney and was a manager of the London Assurance Company; and Wilfred Cranswick who also lived in Burnley. Richmond players wore black armbands the game following Manzie's death as mark of respect for his contributions to the club.