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Jack Donovan

-jdonovan1.jpgChallenge Cup Competition - Victorian Football Association
DOB: 1852*
DOD: 1933 19 October Caulfield*
Vice President: 1895
Carlton Captain: 1872 , 1874
Competition Champion Goal Kicker: 1872 - 6 Goals.
Champion of the Colony: 1873
Games: 62 - 72
Goals: 10
Career: 1869 - 1883


J. A. Donovan : "Our Own Jack"

1869 "One of the most brilliant players of his time, at a charge unequalled"
(Centenary Souvenir of Carlton Football Club.p8)





Jack Donovan (above) is pictured with the Carlton team in 1881 in Adelaide. Jack was the team manager.

The 1869 Premiership is disputed, and The History of Carlton Football Club by Brian Hansen p19
states,(1869)
"The Dark Blue played seven Grand matches this season, won five, drew one, lost one. They compiled ten goals and had only two kicked against them. Carlton were declared official champions for the season, but Melbourne claimed the title and continued to dispute the Carlton triumph long after all participants had passed on."

One of Carlton's stars of the early 1870's.
(The Herald June 14 1919.)

1870 Jack Donovan played in the Carlton team for the new Challenge Cup competition against Albert Park on June 18 1870.

jdonovanlarge.jpg
1871 Donovan was Captain, and led Carlton to their first premiership and the first year Carlton had abandoned the orange cap in favour of one of dark blue.
Donovan was captain of the side against Melbourne August 5 when Jack Conway was injured.
(The Carlton Story, H.Buggy and H. Bell p24,26)

The 1869 Premiership is disputed, and The History of Carlton Football Club by Brian Hansen p19
states,(1869)

"The Dark Blue played seven Grand matches this season, won five, drew one, lost one. They compiled ten goals and had only two kicked against them. Carlton were declared official champions for the season, but Melbourne claimed the title and continued to dispute the Carlton triumph long after all participants had passed on."

1871 Played against a Richmond 20 at Richmond Park July 15.

1872 Jack was presented with an illuminated address for his captaincy and leadership in securing for the club The Challenge Cup. The original manuscript is in the M.C.G.'s Gallery of Sport. Blueseum has been invited to photograph the document for display on this site.

Competition leading goal kicker in 1872. 6 goals.
(Everything You Wanted To Know About Australian Rules Football But Couldn't Be Bothered Asking. Graeme Atkinson, p254)

1874 August 22
Carlton played Albert Park in Royal Park.
In this game there was a disputed "no goal" decision given by the goal umpire.
This resulted in a number of letters being written to The Argus.
Jack Donovan got involved and wrote to the newspaper about the "incident."
To read Donovan's letter;
Click here> http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5877290

1881 J. Donovan was the team manager for Carlton's visit to Adelaide.
See 1881 page for team photo taken in Adelaide. Possibly Jack Donovan standing far right in the photo.

1883 Jack Donovan was a leading Carlton player for the season. (?)

At the first game held at Princes Park June 22 1897 Carlton stalwarts of the past including Jack Donovan, John Gardiner, George Robertson and Billy Donaldson attended.

(The Carlton Story, H.Buggy and H.Bell, p25,55,89)

1889 August 8
There are many thousands of the community who will well remember the days when,

"Donovan stout, with a mighty rush,

Through the serried ranks of the foe would crush,

Leaving behind in a shapeless mass

A dozen of coves on the slippery grass."

The Melbourne Punch p91.

Image

Donovan's illuminated address presented to him in 1872

Note almost the same 2006 - 2014 representation of the CFC monogram, 142 years on

Donovan address – Courtesy of the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum collection. Kindly donated to the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum by Mrs Valerie Van Kaenel (1988.1926.1)

The address says:

"This little souvenir in remembrance of the Challenge Cup is from the Members of the Carlton Football Club as a small token of the high esteem and regard felt for you since your Membership and a slight acknowledgement of the zeal displayed and enthusiasm inspired in your team as Captain in that memorable Victory." Season 1872


1889 August 17
Captained the Blues in a ex players Charity Match against Geelong at Geelong to raise money for the local hospital.

1895 April 5
At the Carlton AGM, J. Donovan is elected as co Vice President of the club.

1916 August 19
Retired from the presidency of the St. Kilda Bowling Club.

1933
.* John Augustine Donovan (husband of Mary) born 1852, died on the 19 October at Lockhart Street Caulfield aged 82, buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery. Same person?

Image
Image: Australian Football Jubilee programme 1908


Image
Jack Donovan
Image: Trove; Table Talk November 20 1924


Brother of Charlie Donovan





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Contributors to this page: blueycarlton , Jarusa , pblue and molsey .
Page last modified on Monday 04 of September, 2017 09:34:43 AEST by blueycarlton.

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