E.Noel Reid known to all and sundry as Nogger had the honour of becoming the first post war
footballer to reach the 200 game milestone. It was in June 1956 and 6000 fans cheered as he led the North Hobart players around the ground. he went on to play another 13 games for the club.
Noel Reid started his football at the Elizabeth Street School from where he joined North West in the SSOBA in 1938 and won the associations best and fairest.
When World War II broke out, Nogger, like many other footballers hung up his guernsey and put on the khaki.
He was a member of the 40th Infantry Battalion "just footslogging" and was in Darwin when the Japanese bombs dropped.
When his soldiering days finished in 1944, Nogger returned to Hobart and joined North Hobart. In his first season of league football he won the William Leitch medal, a remarkable achievement. He was runner up to Sandy Bay's Ernie Pilkington the following year and again
ran second to New Norfolk's Jim Brown in 1948.
In 1947 Nogger played centre for Tasmania in the ANFC carnival
staged in Hobart. In 1950 he was chosen as a rover for the Brisbane carnival and again against the Victorian Association in Hobart in 1951.
He moved to back pocket in 1954 and played with such success in that position that he again won State selection against the Australian Amateurs. He was unable to play however, because of an injured thigh.
Nogger represented the TFL every year from 1945 to 1954 and was captain more than once.
He is seen here playing against the North breaking away from Bob
Chitty.
Noel "Nogger" Reid played 213 games for North Hobart, 35 games for the TFL
and eight games for Tasmania. He was a champion centreman, rover and back pocket player. He was a master of every technique in the game and his impeccable sportsmanship belied his club spirit.
Although only 5' 8" or 168 cm in height, he was very quick, strong and hard at the ball. His coolness under pressure was his trade mark.
He was a member of a TFL and State premiership side in 1945 under Jack Metherell and another
TFL premiership in 1947. He said "Jack was the best coach I played under. He had a lot of success and he was prepared to help you and show you how to do things."
He was also vice captain of North Hobart from 1950 to 1956.
Upon his retirement from football he was either an administrator or coach of the club for over 15 years.
Nogger passed away in December 1995 but will be remembered with the E.N.Reid Perpetual Memorial Trophy which is played for between Kingston and North Hobart. The first ever game of senior football that North Hobart
participated in was against Kingston at Risdon on 4th May 1895. North won the game 4.4 to 3.7.
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Noel "Nogger" Reid - A Tasmanian Football Legend
