Victorian Football Association
DOB: August 12, 1872
DOD: April 24, 1935 Melbourne.
Games: 50
Goals: 29
Career: 1891 - 1895
Above left; J. Leith pictured in the Melbourne team photo, Punch June 18 1903
Jack Leith facing the camera, playing for Melbourne Round 3, 1907 v Carlton MCG
Image: Trove; Punch May 16 p14
John Goodwin Leith had a VFA-VFL football career that spanned 22 seasons 1891-1912
Recruited from Carlton District 1891
1891 August 22
Leith named in Carlton squad to play St.Kilda at the East Melbourne C. G.
1892 August 13
Leith scored a goal in the victory against Footscay on the Warehousemen's ground in St. Kilda Road.
Named as one of Carlton's better players in seasons 1894 and 1895.
Retired at end of season 1895. (transferred to Melbourne, see below)
(The Carlton Story, H.Buggy and H.Bell p74,75,77)
The above photo is of Jack playing for Melbourne in 1899.
Played well at times during 1895 but would go to Melbourne in 1896.
(Centenary Souvenir of Carlton Football Club p21)
1892 CFC Annual Report, Jack Leith scored 1 goal during the season.
1893 CFC Annual Report, Jack Leith scored 14 goals during the season.
1893 Leith scored 4 goals against South Melbourne at the M.C.G. on July 22.
1893 Leith was the best of the Carlton forwards in the match against Geelong at the M.C.G. on July 29.
He scored 3 goals from "splendid left foot punt kicks".
(The Argus)
1895 At the University Ground in the Carlton vs Port Melbourne match on August 24;
Leith kicked off with a strong wind at his back, he kicked the ball over the heads of the waiting players and it bounced almost the full length of the ground until it was forced over the boundary line. Leith who had followed up his kick, snapped a goal when the ball was thrown in.
1896 At the V.F.A. Permit Committee meeting on May 1 the application for Leith to transfer to Essendon was refused on the grounds that the committee was not satisfied that the clearance was bona-fide.
1896 May 16
Melbourne played Geelong.
The Argus May 18 (p5) said; "Leith's long left-foot kicks were of great use to the side, but it is a pity that Melbourne's gain should be Carlton's loss."
1896 Leith playing for Melbourne in the clash against Carlton at the M.C.G. on July 25.
1912 Jack Leith held the League record for being the oldest player, 38 yrs 295 days.
He played 133 V.F.L. games for Melbourne and scored 166 goals.
In 1920, St. Kilda's Vic Cumberland with 43 yrs 48 days now holds the record which will never be broken.
1935 The Argus April 25, reports the death of Jack Leith, aged 62, former Carlton and Melbourne player and a handy cricketer.
He was one of the ground staff of the Melbourne Cricket Club, and for many years was in charge of the scoreboard.
DOB: August 12, 1872
DOD: April 24, 1935 Melbourne.
Games: 50
Goals: 29
Career: 1891 - 1895
Above left; J. Leith pictured in the Melbourne team photo, Punch June 18 1903
Jack Leith facing the camera, playing for Melbourne Round 3, 1907 v Carlton MCG
Image: Trove; Punch May 16 p14
John Goodwin Leith had a VFA-VFL football career that spanned 22 seasons 1891-1912
Recruited from Carlton District 1891
1891 August 22
Leith named in Carlton squad to play St.Kilda at the East Melbourne C. G.
1892 August 13
Leith scored a goal in the victory against Footscay on the Warehousemen's ground in St. Kilda Road.
Named as one of Carlton's better players in seasons 1894 and 1895.
Retired at end of season 1895. (transferred to Melbourne, see below)
(The Carlton Story, H.Buggy and H.Bell p74,75,77)
The above photo is of Jack playing for Melbourne in 1899.
Played well at times during 1895 but would go to Melbourne in 1896.
(Centenary Souvenir of Carlton Football Club p21)
1892 CFC Annual Report, Jack Leith scored 1 goal during the season.
1893 CFC Annual Report, Jack Leith scored 14 goals during the season.
1893 Leith scored 4 goals against South Melbourne at the M.C.G. on July 22.
1893 Leith was the best of the Carlton forwards in the match against Geelong at the M.C.G. on July 29.
He scored 3 goals from "splendid left foot punt kicks".
(The Argus)
1895 At the University Ground in the Carlton vs Port Melbourne match on August 24;
Leith kicked off with a strong wind at his back, he kicked the ball over the heads of the waiting players and it bounced almost the full length of the ground until it was forced over the boundary line. Leith who had followed up his kick, snapped a goal when the ball was thrown in.
1896 At the V.F.A. Permit Committee meeting on May 1 the application for Leith to transfer to Essendon was refused on the grounds that the committee was not satisfied that the clearance was bona-fide.
1896 May 16
Melbourne played Geelong.
The Argus May 18 (p5) said; "Leith's long left-foot kicks were of great use to the side, but it is a pity that Melbourne's gain should be Carlton's loss."
1896 Leith playing for Melbourne in the clash against Carlton at the M.C.G. on July 25.
1912 Jack Leith held the League record for being the oldest player, 38 yrs 295 days.
He played 133 V.F.L. games for Melbourne and scored 166 goals.
In 1920, St. Kilda's Vic Cumberland with 43 yrs 48 days now holds the record which will never be broken.
1935 The Argus April 25, reports the death of Jack Leith, aged 62, former Carlton and Melbourne player and a handy cricketer.
He was one of the ground staff of the Melbourne Cricket Club, and for many years was in charge of the scoreboard.