Fred Pringle was born in Assam, India, the son of
a tea planter. He had three brother; Charles, Jack and another called Harry, who
changed his name to Lempriere and became
a famous opera singer. Both Jack and Charlie played football. Charlie, the older
brother played for Holbrook in the STFA and Jack played with Fred at Cananore.
The Pringle family emigrated to Australia for the boys
education.
Fred Pringle got an early start in football playing for the Friend's School first football team at the age of 11. While still at school he joined Cananore playing his first senior game at the age of 15.
He rejoined Cananore after the first world war playing from 1920 to 1923.
In the 1921 premiership win over North Hobart Fred Pringle was given second mention. A crowd of 7000 saw a fast and furious match with plenty of bumping and elbowing off the ball. Cananore ended up winning 6.18.66 to North Hobart 4.5.29.
Cananore went on to defeat NTFA side City for the State premiership.
Cananore - the 1921 TFL and State premiers - Fred Pringle is pictured third from right in the second row. Jack Gardiner is pictured in the middle of the front row with Horrie Gorringe to his left and Hec Smith sitting in front on the right.
The 1921 Cananore team on North Hobart Oval on grand final day. At the head of the line is Jack Gardiner, third from left is Fred Pringle then Jack Charlesworth. Fourth from right is Horrie Gorringe with Hec Smith on the end of the line.
During the season the Tasmanian team competed in the minor carnival in Sydney against New South Wales. On the way to Sydney the team played Albury winning 17.23.125 to Albury 11.12.78. Fred Pringle kicked five goals. Tasmania went on to defeat New South Wales in Sydney thus winning the minor championship of the AFC.
Fred Pringle was judged one of the best players in the league for the 1921 season.
He also played for Cananore in their 1922 premiership win over North Hobart and their repeat of the previous years State premiership win over City.
The 1922 Cananore TFL premiership side on North Hobart Oval prior to the grand final.Horrie Gorringe is fourth from the right. Also in the side are Jack Gardine; first left, Fred Pringle; fourth from left, Jack Charlesworth; fifth from left and Hec Smith; second from right.
He crossed to the VFL to join Carlton. He spent
the entire 1924 season with the Blues, where his form was sufficiently
eye-catching to procure interstate selection representing Victoria several times
during that year.
In 1925 he returned to coach Cananore with three consecutive TFL and State premierships resulting during 1925 to 1927. Cananore secured the 1925 premiership by defeating North Hobart 15.14.104 to 7.9.51. Cananore forward Gerry Gleeson kicked eight goals from eight shots. Fred Pringle was named third in the best players list for the game behind Jack Charlesworth and Horrie Gorringe.
As it was some weeks prior to the State premiership decider Cananore played some other matches including one against New Town where a record score was set for the League with Cananore beating the 'townies' 21.15.141 to 6.10.46.
Visiting South Australian side Port Adelaide came up against the might of Fred Pringle's Cananore. In a match before a crowd of 4000 described as one their best wins, Cananore again set a record score showing it possessed vigour and strength and made the best of things by playing a hard and forcible game as a lead up to the state final. Final scores were Cananore 31.30.216 to Port Adelaide 5.8.38. Horrie Gorringe kicked 5 goals in this game.
Fred Pringle was again judged one of the best players in the league for that season.
He represented Tasmania in 1925 against South Australia and despite the teams defeat it was the only one of the season for the league team.
In 1926 Cananore, under Pringle, again completed a fine double winning the TFL premiership against New Town and the State premiership against northern premier Launceston at York Park by two points, 7.10.52 to 5.20.50.
Pringle was judged best on ground in the TFL decider.
In 1927 Fred Pringle again was judged one of the best players in the league, played in another TFL and State premiership win, and was also selected to represent Tasmania at the Melbourne carnival.
He retired in 1928 near to his peak, with 5 TFL premierships, 5 State premierships (including three of each under his coaching) and an Australian championship medal from the Sydney carnival.
Truly a remarkable record.
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