Jim Flynn (footballer)

James Edward Flynn (21 March 1871 – 24 August 1955) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong and Carlton in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Jim Flynn
Flynn in 1896 during his Collingwood VFA career
Personal information
Full name James Edward Flynn
Date of birth (1871-03-21)21 March 1871
Place of birth Benalla
Date of death 24 August 1955(1955-08-24) (aged 84)
Place of death Wangaratta
Original team(s) St. James, Benalla, Canterbury
Height 179 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight 75 kg (165 lb)
Position(s) Ruckman
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1895 Richmond (VFA) 5 (6)
1896 Collingwood (VFA) 1 (0)
1897–1902 Geelong 72 (22)
1903–1908, 1910 Carlton 77 (9)
Total 155 (37)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1910.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

A ruckman who was said to be highly strung, after two brief VFA stints, Flynn started his career in earnest in 1897 where he was part of Geelong's inaugural VFL side. Flynn stayed with the club until the end of the 1902 season when he crossed to Carlton.

He was made Carlton captain in 1905 and in 1906 led them to the premiership, defeating Fitzroy in the Grand Final. Due to business commitments in St James, running the local hotel (pub) which still operates today (37 kilometres north of Benalla), he retired from football but returned for the 1907 finals series after captain Fred Elliott was suspended. Flynn's captaincy was sought after and he led them to another premiership.

In 1908 Flynn did not play a game during the home and away season but was again used by Carlton in the finals, this time under the captaincy of Elliott, and was a member of a premiership side for the third successive year.

He played his last match in the Semi-Final of 1910 after three players had been dropped, accused of tanking in Carlton's upset Round 18 loss to St Kilda. As of 2016, he is the oldest player to play in a final.

Flynn was captain of the St. James Socialables FC that defeated St. James FC in the 1910 Dookie Football Association premiership.[1]

Flynn was a member of the 1913 St. James FC premiership that defeated Yarrawonga in the Yarrawonga and Border Football Association.[2]

Flynn is buried at Lake Rowan, east of St James, beside his wife and 10-year-old daughter Annastasia. His descendants run Flynn's Menswear in Murphy Street, Wangaratta.

References
  1. "St. James Socialables win the premiership". Trove Newspapers. Dookie and Katamatite Recorder Newspaper.
  2. "St. James v Yarrawonga. St. James Premiers". Trove Newspapers. Benalla Standard Newspapers.
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