Cyril Leonard Gambetta (1 August 1899 – 20 August 1974) was an Italian-Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Due to having suffered from polio as a child he had badly bowed legs which gave him an awkward running style.
Cyril Gambetta | |||
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Personal information | |||
Full name | Cyril Leonard Gambetta | ||
Date of birth | 1 August 1899 | ||
Place of birth | Eaglehawk, Victoria | ||
Date of death | 20 August 1974(1974-08-20) (aged 75) | ||
Place of death | Elwood, Victoria | ||
Original team(s) | Sandhurst | ||
Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||
Weight | 80 kg (176 lb) | ||
Playing career1 | |||
Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
1921 | Hawthorn (VFA) | 012 (33) | |
1922–1931 | St Kilda | 129 (75) | |
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1931. | |||
Career highlights | |||
St Kilda best player award 1925 | |||
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com |
Gambetta came to Melbourne from Sandhurst in Bendigo at the start of the 1921 season. After being refused a clearance to St Kilda,[1] he joined Hawthorn Football Club in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) where he played as a forward.[2]
The next season, he joined St Kilda where he spent most of his time as a key position defender and was twice chosen to represent Victoria at interstate football. He won St Kilda's best player award in 1925[3] and finished equal sixth in the 1928 Brownlow Medal.
In June, 1925, Benalla Football Club offered Gambetta their coaching job, but St.Kilda refused to clear him[4]
Trevor Barker Award • St Kilda Football Club best and fairest winners | |
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