A natural footballer, Horrie Gorringe was quiet and assuming, and a gentleman on and off the field. He was born on 4th July 1885 as Horrie Charles Gorringe.
Many old time players, both in Victoria and Tasmania say he was the greatest rover ever produced by the state. He received many tempting offers to transfer to the mainland but he preferred to remain in the Apple Isle.
Dan Minogue, a VFL champion in his day who later excelled as a non playing coach of several League clubs and who coached New Town for a time, once said of Gorringe, " Although I did not see him in his prime, I would not be prepared to contradict those who claim he was the best rover ever. Gorringe had a back move, a side steps and accurate disposal - all in the one perfectly synchronised movement- which I have never seen any rover or player execute with such perfection. Alan La Fontaine, former Melbourne captain did something approaching it, but without Gorringe's superlative deftness and polish. "
According to Cananore coach and champion Melbourne rover, the legendary Jack Gardiner he didn't need much coaching. Walking along a street outside the grounds of the old Trinity Hill State School in Hobart in 1912, Gardiner stopped to watch some youngsters playing football. One stood out from the others-young Gorringe. The way he handled the ball and the accuracy with which he delivered it to a team mate greatly impressed Gardiner, who was later to become the boy's coach.
He was also noticed by the legendary coach Bruce "The Black Snake" Carter in a state schoolboys side that travelled to Brisbane in 1908. Carter kept a close eye on young Gorringe until he left school in 1914 whereupon he was put straight into Cananore's senior team.
He worked on his parent's farm at Tea Tree and it was rare for him to come to the city to train.
Probably the most remarkable feature of his play was his ability to kick with accuracy, when at top speed, and even when making one his bewildering turns. He perfected this particular phase of his game by the unorthodox training methods he adopted on his farm. The barn played a major role in the scheme of things. Out in front of the old wooden building he drove sticks into the ground at irregular intervals. He would weave through the stakes at top speed with the ball and first with one foot and then the other would slam it through the narrow open door. To break the monotony and vary his work outs he would kick the ball with all his might against the walls of the barn and practice marking the returns.
In 1915, which was the following season, Gorringe played in his first North versus South match at the age of 18. He was a regular Southern and State representative player for the next 14 years, unless rendered unfit through injury, the most serious of which was a broken collarbone in 1921.
In 1929 the idol of the Tasmanian football public was appointed coach of Cananore. Misfortune befell him early that season as on the first night of training he injured his ankle - an injury that brought about his premature retirement that year.
Cananore - 1921 TFL & State Premiers.
Horrie Gorringe is pictured sitting fourth from the right in the fourth row from the back.
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.
During the time he was associated with the "Canaries" as Cananore players were called by supporters, the club won six League and State premierships. Much of the teams success was due to his brilliance. During the whole of his career he was rarely shaded by an opponent, and he was opposed by many champions, especially in Carnival matches.
Gordon Coventry, the great Collingwood goalkicker said of Gorringe
" Although short, Gorringe was as strong as a lion. He was as fast as a streak of lightning and could kick beautifully with either foot when tearing along at his top. When bumped he simply rolled over and landed on his feet without losing a stride. He would fight back like a terrier, never admitting defeat, although he was crashed heavily many times in games in which I played. He would be going faster in the last quarter than most of his opponents were in the early stages of a match. In fact, he could be described as a super footballer. It always seemed a pity to me that the artistry of Gorringe was not seen by the multitude of Victorian football enthusiasts. To me his displays were so interesting That I was
caught off my guard more than once as I stood watching him in action. "
Horrie Gorringe and his grandson Sam at North Hobart Oval
Horrie Gorringe died on Sunday 17th July 1994. He was a great sportsman who also excelled at golf and cricket. His record of 364 not out still stands in the Huon competition.
Horrie Gorringe will never be forgotten.
Horrie Gorringe (inducted 1987) is a member of the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame along with other Tasmanian Football Legends such as Darrel Baldock
, Rex Garwood
, Arthur Hodgson
, Bruce Carter
, Terry Cashion
, Roy Cazaly
, Royce Hart
, Peter Hudson
, Laurie Nash
and Ian Stewart
.
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Horrie Gorringe - A Tasmanian Football Legend
