Born on 24th June 1881 to carpenter Henry Carter and his wife Eliza, Bruce Carter was the second eldest of four boys (Alfred, Charles & Percy) and three girls (Ella, Grace & Jessie) in a family not noted for sporting prowess. Bruce Carter's vigorous play, dark colouring and ability to strike at a weakness earned him the nickname of the "The Black Snake". He began his football career in Launceston in 1903 at age 21, with the Second City club and the following year joined North Launceston, where he became recognised as one of the most brilliant players in the state.

He had his first coaching experience with North and was an instant success. He was Vice Captain and Coach of the side as it swept to three successive premierships in 1904, 1905 and 1906. In 1908 he was appointed captain/coach of northwest coast side Mersey and, it also won the premiership. (Pictured left is the 1904 North Launceston team)

The 1908 Tasmanian carnival team. Bruce Carter is pictured fourth from right in the second row. Algy Tynan is third from right in the back row while HK Littler is sitting next to carter. Jack Gardiner is second from left in the third row.

Carter had become so famous throughout Tasmania he was appointed captain of Tasmania's first interstate side, to compete in the first ANFC carnival in Melbourne. Not only did he lead the side capably, but was awarded the Bibby Trophy for the team's best player. The Tasmanian side won the 'B' division. He received several offers from VFL clubs but decided to stay in Tasmania, taking up the position of coach and vice captain of Hobart side Cananore in 1909. The club had not won a match in 1908, its first year in the TFL. Carter's magic touch changed all that and over the next three seasons it went to three successive TFL and State premierships. Under Carter, Cananore did not lose a match in 1909. The club won the TFL and state premiership in 1910 and also won the premiership in 1911.

The 1909 Cananore team - TFL and State premiers. Bruce Carter is pictured sitting fourth from the right in the second row. Sitting next to him with the shield is Jack Gardiner.

The 1910 Cananore team - TFL and State premiers. Bruce Carter is pictured sitting fourth from the right in the second row. Sitting next to him with the shield is Jack Gardiner.

The 1911 Cananore team - TFL premiers. Bruce Carter is pictured sitting fourth from the right in the second row. Sitting next to him with the shield is Jack Gardiner.

The 1912 North Launceston premiership team. Bruce Carter is third from the right in second row from the front. Sitting next to him is the club patron, James Boag.

He returned to North Launceston in 1912 and took them to another premiership. The grand final was only his second game for the season.

Play in progress at a North Launceston game in 1912.

 

 

 

Meanwhile , Cananore, without Carter, slumped badly.
A delegation was despatched to ask him to return, which he did and in 1913 took the club to yet another TFL and State premiership. The following year Cananore also made the grand final but was beaten by North Hobart despite a magnificent example set by Carter. One writer stated "...he is unquestionably the king of Tasmanian footballers."

Bruce Carter married Ruby Hutcheon on 6th January 1912 at New Town Methodist Church on the corner of Cross Street and Main Road. They had a son Royce on 13th November 1916. Ruby tragically died of consumption in 1919. Bruce Carter retired in 1915 while at his peak but in 1937, 22 years after he last coached , was induced by Cananore to come out of retirement.
Sadly a premiership did not happen this time.
Carter was the person who recognised the potential shown by the young Horrie Gorringe when he coached him in a Tasmanian State School carnival team in 1908.
Bruce Carter holds the record for most club premierships as coach with a total of 8 - North Launceston 1905,1906,1912, Mersey 1908, Cananore 1909,1910,1911,1913.

Bruce Carter died on 9th February 1956. He was survived by his children Royce and Teecie who was from his second marriage to Lucy Taylor. His grandson Bruce Cruse is involved with cricket development in the UK as a ground development officer based at Lords..
His great grandsons Brett, Grant and Rowan Henderson are State badminton players.

Bruce Carter was inducted as a member of the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame in 1987 He is joined by other Tasmanian Football Legends such as James "Snowy" Atkinson , Darrel Baldock , Rex Garwood , Horrie Gorringe , Arthur Hodgson , Terry Cashion , Roy Cazaly , Royce Hart , Peter Hudson , Laurie Nash and Ian Stewart .

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Bruce Carter - A Tasmanian Football Legend