Born circa 1846 – died Concord, New South Wales March 13,1919

At Carlton

Foundation player 70 matches (approx.), three goals 1865-’78

Premiership player 1871 (South Yarra Presentation Challenge Cup), 1873-’74 & ’75, and 1877 (VFA)

Captain 1875

Committeeman 1871

Harry Guy was a member of the Carlton Football Club’s first committee. On-field, he was also the first in a long line of champions the Club has produced. He was a fast-moving back-man, whose disposal won high praise from critics of his time.

Though reportings of matches of the period were somewhat scant, Guy’s footballing feats were lauded. A correspondent wrote of Guy in 1867: “The finest fellow ever to have toed a ball. Where would Carlton be without him?”

In April of the following year, Guy was presented with an illuminated address signed by every player and member in attendance at the Club’s Annual General Meeting. Then in October, at Palmer’s Hotel in Cardigan Street, he was one of five players presented with an engraved silver belt buckle for distinguishing themselves that season.

On Guy’s passing, Pat O’Hanlon of Carlton wrote:

“He was a most unassuming man, and even in the height of his fame as the best back player in Victoria never put on the least swagger. He used to execute the most brilliant runs with the ball, and always brought it round the wing before he gave it the parting kick. He was also very agile, and could give the hip to the pursuing enemy with marvellous skill.

“I can vividly remember one incident on the gravel patch outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Though it is over 40 years since it happened, I can see it as if it were but yesterday.

“H. C. Harrison, the then champion amateur runner, was playing for Melbourne. He was a powerful and dashing footballer. Guy took the ball and started on his usual trick for the wing. Harrison chased him at full speed, with every muscle at tension and grim determination on his set features. He gained rapidly on Harry, and was about to give him a push from the back, which was allowed in the early days, when Guy suddenly stopped, gave him the hip with the agility of an acrobat, and sent him flying on to the hard ground, from which he very limply rose, bleeding and partially stunned.

“But he took it as all in the game, as a true sportsman should, and which Harrison was.

Those were the days of true sport and true sportsmen, when the game, whatever it was, was played for the love of it, and not for what can be made out of it.”