With great sadness FNWB learns of the death of Dave Bryden one of the greatest players to represent the Footscray Football Club.
Not just a club champion but one of only 39 men to have played in a Grand Final for Footscray since the VFA double event year of 1924 and Dave was in the winning one of 1954.
Beginning with the club in 1947, Dave's last game was Round 18 of 1955 when the bulldogs came agonisingly close to making the finals missing out on by percentage. Essendon 4th with 130.57, Footscray 5th with 129.96.
As well as the 1954 Premiership, Dave played in Footscray's break through finals win in 1953- the first final the club had won since 1924 as well as other finals including the First Semi Finals of 1948 and 1951.
A stalwart of arguably the greatest backline in VFL/AFL History- Dave was one of the main men- especially in 1953 when Footscray 's points against total during the home and away season was 959. The next best in 1953 was 1079- so we were 120 points better than the next best defence- 20 goals less.
Recruited to Footscray from the tough mining town of Wonthaggi, Dave later coached at Nhill in the bush. Leon Cameron, Simon Beasley, Ian Salmon and Jimmy Thoms were some of the other men to wear the #18 for Footscray.
Rest in Peace Dave Bryden- one of Footscray's all time greats.
Dave Bryden
Started by Caveman, Sep 02 2013 07:27 PM
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