Len Pye was a renowned high mark and a great kick. He was regarded as a great all round on baller with exceptional skills.
He was born around 1912.
Prior to coming to Tasmania Len Pye played with Northcote in the VFA.
Len Pye played with North Hobart in 1929 through to 1933. He received the leagues highest individual honour in 1932 when he won the William Leitch medal.
He played with VFL team Fitzroy in 1934 and 1935 kicking 39 goals in 16 games.
He returned to North Hobart from 1936 to 1940 and returned again in 1946 after the war.
In 1936 in the Grand Final against Lefroy, North Hobart won in a thrilling match. Little separated the teams in dash, pace and vigour and North had to fight strenuously to win in the last few minutes by four points; 13.9.87 to 11.17.83.
"It was a premiership game in which every player in both teams gave of his best. Len Pye played a veritable match winning game and his superb marking was one of the outstanding features of the match. Powell in the centre took a leading hand in most of North's attacks and Allan Rait
was in brilliant form on the forward line, each of his goals the result of sound judgement in the air and accuracy of kicking. Alf Pratt or "Oxy" as he was known, combined skilfully with Rait and provided him with many opportunies."
The following year the two teams met again in the Grand Final with Lefroy running out the victors. On Coronation Day (George V) the league awarded a Coronation Medal to the Best and Fairest player in the Grand Final; the winner.. Len Pye.
Len returned to New Norfolk in 1947 for their first TFL season and again in 1948. He stayed there in 1949 as playing coach of the Reserves.
His football playing career was full of honours including the William Leitch medal, the George Watt medal for B&F in the grand final in 1937 and 1938, State representative honours three times, five TFL and three State premierships with North Hobart, club Best and Fairest awards in 1931, 1936, 1937 and 1938.
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Len "Apples" Pye - a Tasmanian Football Legend