14 Facts About Harry Vallence

Henry Francis "Soapy" Vallence was a champion Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League and the Victorian Football Association.

Harry Vallence played at full-forward for the VFL's Carlton Football Club in the 1930s, and in the 1940s for the VFA's Williamstown and Brighton Football Clubs.

Harry Vallence married Lorna Josephine Bliss on 17 June 1940.

Harry Vallence soon moved to full-forward, where he became known for his safe hands and mighty kick.

Harry Vallence was lured back to Carlton for the 1938 season, helping to secure the Blues' first premiership in 23 years.

Harry Vallence returned again to Williamstown in 1939, this time playing under the Association's throw-pass rules adopted in 1938.

In 1939, Harry Vallence kicked 133 goals and helped Williamstown to a premiership, and he kicked another 111 goals in 1940.

On 24 May 1941, Harry Vallence achieved two significant milestones: he kicked a career-high twenty goals against Sandringham and brought up his 1000th career goal across both the League and Association.

Harry Vallence was captain-coach of the Carlton Reserves for three seasons.

Harry Vallence resumed playing after World War II as the captain-coach at Brighton, where he played his last game in 1946.

Harry Vallence played 204 games and kicked 722 goals for Carlton in his career; the latter was a club record until broken by Stephen Kernahan in 1997.

Harry Vallence scored a further 337 goals for Williamstown, 88 for Brighton, and 19 in representative games for Victoria, for a career total of 1166 goals.

Harry Vallence died on 25 July 1991 of Alzheimer's disease in Geelong Hospital.

In 1996, Harry Vallence was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.