It was September 1927 and the Blues had gone 12 years without winning a premiership. A drought that would have been hard to fathom after winning five pennants in just 10 years between 1906 and 1915. Nursing his injured body, Horrie Clover, the captain/coach of the Blues and sensational centre half forward had just read a letter from a Blues fan that so enlivened his spirits that he felt fit to put pen to paper. The following letter comes with kind permission from the Nelson family and is a remarkable insight into the times and the thoughts of one of Carlton’s greatest ever players.

Horrie Clover.jpg

Dear Sir,

I have a distinct recollection of having received a letter from you a few years ago, and no doubt there was something outstanding about that previous letter – as there is in the present one – which impressed me, otherwise I would never have remembered it.

I could not explain my feelings on reading your letter but at least I can assure you that your kind remarks and expressions of appreciation of my efforts for the sake of the old club, soothed my troubled mind and “healed my sores”.

I was particularly anxious to lead the Premiership team of 1927 as I intended it to be my last season in League football. I thought it would be a delightful ending to my eight years service at Carlton.


Horrie would go on another four seasons, finishing his career in 1931 and embarking on a successful administrative career at the club which would see him serve a further 23 years for the club, finishing as President in 1957.

Prior to our trip to Sydney I was not very hopeful of our team winning the Premiership simply because I did not think that our team was good enough, but later in the season I was of the opinion that our team was on the improve whilst others were losing form and thinking this years premiership might be easily won. I was very hopeful of our team succeeding, although I always had my doubts regarding a few positions in our side when the pinch came in the second round.

Personally I played the last three games under great disabilities, but I struggled on, in the hope of recovering from my injuries whilst I continue to play.

At Hawthorn I had a nerve in the hip shattered and this prevented me training to any great extent, in act, I couldn’t run on training afternoons. I couldn’t sleep at night and certainly was not fit to play in any of our matches following our Hawthorn engagement.

I didn’t have a good nights rest for three weeks owing to the aching hip and leg similar to nemalgia and ‘the spot’ on my hip was so sore to the touch that I would hop if it was touched by a finger.

In each of the three matches I played with the hip trouble, I had it knocked and consequently it did not have a chance to mend up and in the semi final I received two hard knocks on that sore and sensitive spot before the game had been in progress five minutes and in the last quarter I fell very heavily on my ‘lame’ hip which caused me agonizing pain.


Horrie was a veteran of WWI, and served his country with distinction reaching the rank of Corporal. After fighting in the trenches in France, Horrie was struck down with acute appendicitis which became gangrenous and resulted in months in hospital and finally a discharge. Horrie was no stranger to pain.

In these circumstances you can imagine my feelings after the match.


Carlton lost the semi-final to Richmond by just one goal. Amazingly, despite his injuries, Horrie managed to kick three goals in the game. If it were not for the injury he might have tasted that premiership success he so dearly wanted but sadly never experienced.

I was broken down physically and dejected and disappointed mentally, so much so that I couldn’t rest for days, my brain was in a whirl and my leg ached and ached.

My good wife brought me your letter on the Tuesday morning I think – which I read before rising from my bed. I think I read it two or three times. It comforted me.

Numerous eulogistic references have been made in newspapers, letters and speeches to my ability as a footballer, many of them I think, undeserved, but I value your letter more than any of them, and I will keep and treasure it as my best and most appreciative football “souvenir”.


It is enticing to speculate that the letter Horrie refers to is still a Clover family keepsake. Perhaps another mystery for the Blueseum to explore.

I have received hundreds of letters from good friends many of whom –like yourself – I have never met, and I sincerely appreciate them all and am delighted to know that my play and conduct on the field has appealed to so many football enthusiasts, but the circumstance connected with your letter together with the evident sincerity, hearty good will, and human understanding of the wise and also the many appreciative references to my ability and conduct elevate it to the highest point in my estimation.

I must apologise for wearying you so with these details but I trust that you will understand my feelings in the matter and be assured that your letter brought a ray of sunshine to a sad and disheartened footballer.

Thanking you again most sincerely.

I remain yours faithfully.

H.R. Clover.


This letter reveals an intelligent, modest and empathetic man who was obviously shattered at getting so close to the ultimate success and his body not allowing him to get there. It would be another 11 years before the Blues would once again taste the ultimate success. Not through any fault of fine men such as Horrie Clover.


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