Uren

Edward Clarence ‘Clarrie’ Uren was one of the many footballers who crossed the country from west to east to benefit from their chosen profession at the turn of the 20th century. A durable centreman from Kalgoorlie Railways, he had honed his skills in the rough and tumble of the WA Goldfields Football Association, following a short military career in the closing months of World War 1.

Uren was assigned guernsey number 16 by the Blues, and played his first match in a 16-point victory over St Kilda at the Junction Oval in round 3, 1924. But after a loss to Melbourne the following week, coach Percy Parratt sent Clarrie to a half-back flank, and replaced him in the centre with Tasmanian recruit Stan Trebilco.

It was a time of scant success for the struggling Blues, who lost five games in succession between rounds 4 and 9. And to make matters worse, champion forward and captain Horrie Clover fell ill, and was ruled out for the rest of the season. Without Clover’s presence up forward, it took until round 13 for the Blues to notch another win, when they held on to beat a fast-finishing Melbourne by 7 points in a thriller at the MCG.

Clarrie never played again for Carlton after that, and eventually returned to his home state. His football career appears to have ended with his last game for the Navy Blues, although he was still only 24 at the time.

Image: Trove; Herald May 09 (p3) 1924

Footnote

Born in Boulder, WA, Clarrie passed away at Balwyn, Victoria on July 3, 1968.