In the mid 1950’s a Carlton local wandered over to Princes Park and asked if he could have a kick. That local was a very tall teenager, Maurie Pope, who at 198cm is tall even in today’s football let alone football in the 1950’s. Maurie went on to enjoy several years at the Blues as a player including seven senior games from 1956 to 1958. After his playing career Maurie continued to live in Carlton until only very recently when the vagaries of age have meant a move to the surrounds of Victoria by the Park in Elsternwick. We were informed of Maurie’s move and that he remembered his days at the Blues well but did not have any memorablia from his time at the club.
So we went to visit Maurie this week and presented to him two large team photographs, a large portrait photo (see right) and a collection of newspaper articles where Maurie scored a mention. When these were shown to Maurie you could see the twinkle in his eyes and the memories of being a Carlton footballer flooding back. The following couple of hours of conversation were filled with great recollections of a different era of the game. A favourite observation was the description of underperforming players at the time as “liniment thieves”!
It was a pleasure to spend time with Maurie and the information he provided will be invaluable to the Blueseum and the Spirit of Carlton in identifying Carlton players previously unknown.
If any former team-mates or relatives unaware of Maurie’s recent move would like to get in contact with him arrangments can be made with Victoria by the Park, (03) 9524 2111.