Latest Article (click to read)
Recent Articles
Ambrose Dyson - The Herald 1909-1911- Published At: 2018-11-17 14:22 - (89 Reads)Ambrose Dyson was one of the earliest regular football cartoonists in Melbourne. He worked a brief few years before the First World War before tragety struck.
Tom O'Halloran - The Tiger From Timaru- Published At: 2018-11-11 14:49 - (162 Reads)Tom O'Halloran’s dedication and love for his club should be acknowledged and it is hoped that this story may stimulate new interest in the dynamic high flyer from Punt Road. Roger's article lets you see why Tom O’Halloran was introduced into the Richmond FC Hall of Fame in 2013.
Fred Phillips - The Tragic Tale Of A True Champion- Published At: 2018-10-23 17:15 - (251 Reads)Fred Phillips, one of St Kilda’s best-ever footballers, died in the most tragic circumstances at the age of 27 years.
“…A great footballer, a true sportsman-and a man. That was Fred Phillips. Need more be said?” Cheer, Cheer on Our Camberwell - Tricolours, Wells, Cobras - Part One- Published At: 2018-10-12 10:39 - (714 Reads)Ken's book-length (three-part) celebration of Camberwell Football Club and its uniquely fascinating history.
A tour de force, meticulously researched and lavishly illustrated. Completed with the technical and research assistance of Michael Riley. Dedicated to Thelma Baker - she whose heart beats true. Part 1 - From the Junction to Nashville 1886-1941 Cheer, Cheer on Our Camberwell - Tricolours, Wells, Cobras - Part Two- Published At: 2018-10-11 17:53 - (565 Reads) Ken's book-length (three-part) celebration of Camberwell Football Club and its uniquely fascinating history.
A tour de force, meticulously researched and lavishly illustrated. Completed with the technical and research assistance of Michael Riley. Dedicated to Thelma Baker - she whose heart beats true. Part Two - Cock of the Walk to Rock Bottom |
Random Articles
James ‘Jimmy ’ Freake - Fitzroy’s Famous Forward- Published At: 2017-02-06 18:18 - (3064 Reads)It is more than 100 years ago since James* ( better known as ‘Jimmy’ ) Freake pulled on a Fitzroy guernsey to play his first VFL game against South Melbourne at the Lake Oval in 1912. *Note: His name is given as ‘Jimmy’ in the AFL records and so it shall be for the purposes of this story.
From Tripod to Website- Published At: 2012-07-05 10:27 - (16552 Reads)Ken's article here draws on his 2010 interview with Harley Boyles. It provides biographical material about the photographer Charles Boyles, an introduction to the Boyles collections, and a perspective on the 'hidden history' of the Boyles photos.
Charlie Davey -A Forgotten Star Of Interstate Football- Published At: 2017-11-10 11:44 - (1176 Reads)Among those Victorian players who have been often overlooked for their significant contribution to interstate football is Carlton’s champion ruckman Charlie Davey. Charlie, who played 143 games for Carlton, represented Victoria on 17 occasions between 1929 and 1935. He is a classic example of a forgotten star of national football; and hopefully this story may serve as a reminder of Charlie’s undoubted ability and achievements in VFL and interstate football.
ANFC Football Carnival - Hobart 1947- Published At: 2013-09-02 14:00 - (10979 Reads)The 1947 Victory Carnival was held in Hobart and was the first Carnival conducted by the Australian National Football Council since the end of World War Two. It was also the first Carnival since 1933 where the 'B' Division teams had a chance to play. Poor weather caused disappointing attendances, and a muddy playing surface. It was no surprise that the Victorian Football League team was victorious, but the VFL did lose twice - once to Western Australia, and once (after the conclusion of the Carnival) to a combined South Australia/Western Australia team.
The Story of Night Football in Victoria - Part One - 1879 Arc Lights at the MCG- Published At: 2013-02-24 08:47 - (5970 Reads)In part one of the story of Football under lights, we return to the first ever Australian Rules football games under artificial light....In 1879
|
Historical Articles (Reprinted)
Recent Articles
Old Football Days. Teams and Men.- Published At: 2018-11-16 08:33 - (106 Reads)Originally appeared in The Argus 2-May-1908. Observer (Donald McDonald) the great Australian Journalist looks back at the best players in his 30 years writing on football.
Great Football Dramas No. 10 - When Collingwood And Fitzroy Thrilled Sydney In 1903- Published At: 2017-11-10 12:49 - (750 Reads)In this, the tenth of a series of great football dramas, is described how, in 1903, Collingwood and Fitzroy made football history by contesting a League premiership match in Sydney, and how, in the Rugby stronghold, a crowd of 20,000, seeing a big Australian rules game for the first time, was thrilled by the fast, spectacular play.
Great Football Dramas No. 1 - DUNCAN’S MATCH- Published At: 2017-11-05 18:00 - (543 Reads)DUNCAN’S MATCH!” Two words, ablaze with imperishable fame, that stand out vividly in Australian football history.
Great Football Dramas No. 2 - Footscray's Dramatic Win Over Essendon Sensation of 1924- Published At: 2017-11-05 10:36 - (663 Reads)Re-told by an eye-witness, this, the second of a series of stories of stirring football dramas enacted on League grounds, describes how, in 1924, Footscray, Association premiers, paralysed Essendon, League premiers, in a memorable contest for the championship of Victoria.
|
Random Articles
Great Football Dramas — No. 13 Fitzroy First To Smash Collingwood's Great System- Published At: 2016-08-28 18:02 - (2209 Reads)How Collingwood's famous system, then brand-new, was first smashed by Fitzroy in a memorable League semi-final in 1902, is retold in this, the thirteenth of a series of great football dramas.
Great Football Dramas—No. 8 Association Coup which Brought 40,000 to the M.C.G. £1000 Gate for Final- Published At: 2016-08-06 12:43 - (1830 Reads)In this the eighth of a series of football dramas is described the Association’s greatest coup of 1908, by which, in American Fleet Week, they secured the Melbourne Cricket Ground on a public holiday for their final match, and attracted a crowd of 40,000 and a £1000 “gate” – both records that still stand.
Roy Cazaly Tells Of Football Ring-in with £500 at Stake- Published At: 2017-10-19 06:39 - (984 Reads)1920 Colbinabbin versus Elmore
History of the Australian Game on the Goldfields from 1894 to 1912- Published At: 2017-08-11 15:57 - (913 Reads) |
Article Archive...
An Introduction to Charles Boyles
Charles Boyles SLV2008.122/451 (Cropped) Source: State Library of Victoria Photographic Collection
The website is centred around the photos of Charles Boyles, a Melbourne-based photographer. Boyles primarily took photos of Australian Rules Football teams and players. He appears to have started this football work in the late twenties. He continued through the 1930's, the years of the Second World War, and then right up to his final photos in the early sixties. Unlike most commercial photographers, Charles Boyles did not wait for customers to come to him. Boyles set up his camera on training nights, and on game days took posed team photos after the players had run onto the ground. These were sold directly to the clubs, players and general public. On Saturdays, at the games, the photographer's son Harley Boyles (and others) would take a satchel of mixed photos and sell them throughout the game. Unlike newspaper photos, therefore, a Boyles photo was something you could own, take home, and treasure. There are no action shots or photos of games in progress. Boyles specialised in team photos and player portraits, with the players looking directly to camera. Today these photos are used by clubs, by family historians, and by those interested in football history. They often appear uncredited in football history books. Boyles did not restrict himself to the leading football competition of his era, the Victorian Football League. During his working life he attended many different competitions. He covered the VFA, Wartime Services matches, the various Victorian workplace competitions, the Sunday leagues, and other competitions. Learn More about the Life of Charles Boyles
Read Ken's article on the methods, motives and life of Charles Boyles. The article includes notes from an extensive interview with Harley Boyles about his father. See Charles Edward Boyles: From Tripod to Website. |
Website Aims and Objectives
This website contains work by two independent researchers, Ken Mansell and Michael Riley. Our objective is to share our own passion for history and provide a friendly resource for family historians, football buffs and others who have an interest in the Charles Boyles photos and more generally in football photography from the 1920's to 1960's.A Football History Website
This site has grown to cover more than just football photos. There is an amazing amount to explore. You can start with articles, player pages, ground pages, team and league pages as well as information on players careers outside football.All Football Photographers Not Just Charles Boyles Photos
This site contains photos from many of Boyles's contemporaries. These contrast Boyles's style, and add to an understanding of sport, photography, and the football of the time.Football Outside the VFL
Charles Boyles took photos of VFL teams, but also took photos of VFA teams, Workplace Teams and teams in Junior Leagues. Also, for many players the VFL was just a small part of their footballing story. This site attempts to build a picture of the football world during Boyle's working period. This world is worth explored through articles and the pages thoughout the website. Sources of Images on this Website
We are not associated with any library or institution. We have received permission from a variety of people and institutions to include their images on this particular website. Each photo is labelled as to it's source. Please contact the relevant source for permission to reproduce any images. The appearance of an image on this website does not mean that it is public domain. Although many (not all) photos are out of copyright, many images are available here under 'Terms of Use' agreements with the relevant organisation. We credit the photographer and the photo source wherever possible, |
Examples of Boyles Photos
|
Kew Sub Districts 1939 - State Library of Victoria Photographic Collection
|
North West Suburbs Police Team circa 1935 - State Library of Victoria Photographic Collection
|
Carlton Seconds, 1956 - State Library of Victoria Photographic Collection
|
|
Bob Wilkie - St Kilda - State Library of Victoria Photographic Collection
|