Bob Spargo
Footscray and Melbourne
AFL career
67 games6 goals
- Debut
- R7 1934 v MEL23 June 1934
- Most recent
- R3 1942 v FIT23 May 1942
Stats
Bio
Recruited from Riverside in the local Footscray District league, Bob Spargo was a professional sprinter who successfully translated his athletic gifts to the VFL. A dual Stawell Gift finalist who finished third in both 1936 and 1940, he utilised his blistering speed primarily on the wing and flanks for the Bulldogs, where his consistent form earned him selection for Victoria. His tenure at the Western Oval concluded in 1941, and after a brief stint with Williamstown, the suspension of the VFA competition due to World War II saw him cross to Melbourne for a two-game cameo in 1942. While a respected player in his own right, Spargo is best recognised today as the patriarch of a historic footballing dynasty, serving as the first link in the only chain of four consecutive generations to play VFL/AFL football, preceding his sons Bob Jr. and Ricky, grandson Paul, and great-grandson Charlie.
Profile
- Full name
- Bob H. Spargo
- Born
- 07 July 1913
- Died
- 14 May 1994 (aged 80y 311d)
- Birthplace
- South Dudley, VIC
- Deathplace
- Wonthaggi, VIC
- Height
- 175 cm
- Weight
- 69 kg
Teams
Family
- Son:Bob Spargo, Ricky Spargo
- Grandson:Paul Spargo
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Riverside in the local Footscray District league, Bob Spargo was a professional sprinter who successfully translated his athletic gifts to the VFL. A dual Stawell Gift finalist who finished third in both 1936 and 1940, he utilised his blistering speed primarily on the wing and flanks for the Bulldogs, where his consistent form earned him selection for Victoria. His tenure at the Western Oval concluded in 1941, and after a brief stint with Williamstown, the suspension of the VFA competition due to World War II saw him cross to Melbourne for a two-game cameo in 1942. While a respected player in his own right, Spargo is best recognised today as the patriarch of a historic footballing dynasty, serving as the first link in the only chain of four consecutive generations to play VFL/AFL football, preceding his sons Bob Jr. and Ricky, grandson Paul, and great-grandson Charlie.