Len Pye
Encyclopedia
Len 'Apples' Pye was an Australian rules football
er who played for Fitzroy
in the VFL
during the 1930s. He also had a notable career in the TANFL
with North Hobart
which saw him named in Tasmania's official 'Team of the Century', on the interchange bench.
Tasmanian Len Pye played his early football in the VFA with Northcote
before starting his North Hobart career in 1929. Strong in the air, Pye often played the role of an on baller. He won a William Leitch Medal
in 1932 and in doing so became the first player from his club to win it. The previous year he won the first of his four North Hobart 'Best and Fairest' awards, with the others coming in consecutive seasons from 1936 to 1938.
His performance for Tasmania at the 1933 Sydney Carnival
helped him get recruited by Fitzroy. He topped Fitzroy's goalkicking with 39 goals in 1934, his debut season, including a bag of eight against North Melbourne
at Arden Street. After managing just the single senior appearance in 1935 he returned to North Hobart.
Pye was a member of North Hobart's 1936 premiership winning side to go with his previous premierships in 1929 and 1932. He was voted 'Best on Ground' in the 1936 decider, as well as the Grand Final the subsequent year which they lost. Two further premierships followed and he finished his career as a five time TANFL premiership player and with three Tasmanian State Premiership
s. From 1935 to 1941 the league didn't award a Leitch Medal, instead handing out the George Watt Memorial Medal to the season's best player, which was Pye in both 1937 and 1938.
After not playing during the war he returned for another stint at North Hobart in 1946. The following year he decided to join New Norfolk for their inaugural TFL season and he spent two years with the club before retiring.
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 for Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
in the VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
during the 1930s. He also had a notable career in the TANFL
Tasmanian Football League
Tasmanian State League is the highest ranked Australian rules football league in Tasmania, Australia.The league has a long and convoluted history which dates back to its founding on 12 June 1879 Tasmanian State League (TSL) (formerly known as the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), Tasmanian...
with North Hobart
North Hobart Demons
The North Hobart Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League.Players to reach Australian Football League level include Paul Williams, Peter 'Percy' Jones, Daryn Cresswell, Chris Bond, James Manson, Jim Wright, Tony Pickett and several other big...
which saw him named in Tasmania's official 'Team of the Century', on the interchange bench.
Tasmanian Len Pye played his early football in the VFA with Northcote
Northcote Football Club
Northcote Football Club, nicknamed The Dragons, was an Australian rules football club which played in the VFA from 1908 until 1987. The club's colours were green and yellow and it was based in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote...
before starting his North Hobart career in 1929. Strong in the air, Pye often played the role of an on baller. He won a William Leitch Medal
William Leitch Medal
The William Leitch Medal was an annual award which was presented to the Best and Fairest player in the TANFL/TFL Statewide League.At various times prior to 1930 and between 1935 and 1939 the TFL award was known by other names....
in 1932 and in doing so became the first player from his club to win it. The previous year he won the first of his four North Hobart 'Best and Fairest' awards, with the others coming in consecutive seasons from 1936 to 1938.
His performance for Tasmania at the 1933 Sydney Carnival
1933 Sydney Carnival
The 1933 Sydney Carnival was the eighth edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition....
helped him get recruited by Fitzroy. He topped Fitzroy's goalkicking with 39 goals in 1934, his debut season, including a bag of eight against North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
at Arden Street. After managing just the single senior appearance in 1935 he returned to North Hobart.
Pye was a member of North Hobart's 1936 premiership winning side to go with his previous premierships in 1929 and 1932. He was voted 'Best on Ground' in the 1936 decider, as well as the Grand Final the subsequent year which they lost. Two further premierships followed and he finished his career as a five time TANFL premiership player and with three Tasmanian State Premiership
Tasmanian State Premiership
The Tasmanian State Premiership was an Australian rules football tournament which was competed originally between the reigning TFL/TANFL and NTFA premiers, with the NWFU joining in from 1954....
s. From 1935 to 1941 the league didn't award a Leitch Medal, instead handing out the George Watt Memorial Medal to the season's best player, which was Pye in both 1937 and 1938.
After not playing during the war he returned for another stint at North Hobart in 1946. The following year he decided to join New Norfolk for their inaugural TFL season and he spent two years with the club before retiring.