Eric Cumming
Footscray
AFL career
14 games2 goals
- Debut
- R6 1948 v FIT22 May 1948
- Most recent
- R18 1949 v COL20 Aug 1949
Stats
Bio
Recruited from the Alexandra district in country Victoria following his service in the Second AIF, Eric Cumming was a gifted athlete whose VFL career was defined by his blistering speed. He joined Footscray in 1948 and quickly found a place in the senior side, playing eight games in his debut season including a semi-final appearance against Collingwood. Known for his explosive pace off the mark, Cumming's time at the top level was unfortunately brief; a severe thigh injury sustained against the Magpies in late 1949 forced his premature retirement from football after just 14 games. Despite the setback, he successfully transitioned to professional sprinting, famously becoming the first Australian to win the prestigious New Year Sprint at Powderhall in Scotland in 1952.
Profile
- Born
- 23 Dec 1923
- Died
- 23 Feb 1964 (aged 40y 62d)
- Birthplace
- Alexandra, VIC
- Deathplace
- Ballarat, VIC
- Height
- 178 cm
- Weight
- 86 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from the Alexandra district in country Victoria following his service in the Second AIF, Eric Cumming was a gifted athlete whose VFL career was defined by his blistering speed. He joined Footscray in 1948 and quickly found a place in the senior side, playing eight games in his debut season including a semi-final appearance against Collingwood. Known for his explosive pace off the mark, Cumming's time at the top level was unfortunately brief; a severe thigh injury sustained against the Magpies in late 1949 forced his premature retirement from football after just 14 games. Despite the setback, he successfully transitioned to professional sprinting, famously becoming the first Australian to win the prestigious New Year Sprint at Powderhall in Scotland in 1952.