Longwarry Football Team 1930. Harry is seen back row, 5th from right

Any Longwarry locals who have a passing interest in local footy would be well aware of the 4 players from the town who went on to play in the VFL/AFL ranks. These players were greats of the game in Longwarry, but there is another whose achievements have been lost in time.

Harry “Pud” Dore was born in Warragul in 1909. He was the son of Henry Dore and Margaret Kennedy. He lived on Drouin Road, Longwarry. He worked as a grocer’s assistant and played footy for Longwarry in the newly formed WGFL from the first game in 1927.

When the Longwarry Football Club entered the WGFL in 1927, Harry was a member of the senior team that day. Ironically when the club played it’s last game in the league, Harry’s son Laurie played in that game.

Harry Dore was an important member of the Longwarry Football Team during their iconic 1930 and 1932 premiership seasons. He also played representative football. An unearthed document shows an invitation to “have a practice with the combined team on 18^th and 25th of April 1931”. This was a combined representative team from WGFL, in which Harry was chosen for many years. He won several best and fairest awards for Longwarry between 1927 and 1936.

He was a defensive player of some note. So much so that in 1931, he caught the eye of scouts from 2 VFL clubs.

Letter from Footscray Jan 1931

First on January 24^th a letter arrived from Footscray Football club “extending a hearty invitation to join our ranks and augment our future strength”. The letter outlined the payment to players :“Under the Caulter Law, viz: Three pounds per match, and bonus at termination of the season”. Hardly a fortune even for those times.

It was signed S C Thomas Secretary FFC.

While Harry was no doubt flattered by this, more was to come.

On 6^th June of the same year, another Melbourne club made a pitch for Harry’s services. The letter from Carton Football Club was likely received with great excitement in the Dore home.

This letter (addressed to Mr Daw) outlines the CFC approach to lure Harry. It begins :

“As my committee has received favorable reports as a player with capabilities as a footballer, I have been instructed to extend to you a cordial invitation to have a run with us. We are looking for good young players and, in all probability, either myself or a representative of my club will call and see you during one of the coming weekends.”

Letter from Carlton June 1931

The letter continued, but no mention of payment amounts were included.

It was signed P J Cain Secretary CFC

Harry didn’t take up either of the offers from these clubs. Why? Possibly the payment of 3 Pounds per match was simply not enough to sustain him. The great depression was in full swing and employment was scarce, even in Melbourne. Travelling to training back then would have been a supreme effort in logistics. Longwarry to Melbourne was quite a trip and Harry most likely didn’t wish to travel all that way 3 times per week. He had employment in Longwarry and, perhaps, he just wanted to play with his mates. Who really knows the answer. Harry stayed at Longwarry until he retired from football. Documents show Harry playing up until August 1933.

Harry enlisted in the Army in 1941, serving in New Guinea with 114 Light Anti-Aircraft Unit, before returning to Longwarry in 1944.

In February 1947, his marriage to Marie Therese Murnane (another prominent local family name) was a celebrated local event.

Beyond football, Harry was an active foundation member of the reformed Longwarry RSL following his return from wartime service. He also focused on local football, staying closely tied to the Longwarry club.

So how good was Harry? Perhaps this question will never be answered. In 1992 the then President of the W.G.F.L (Bill Doherty) is quoted describing Harry as: “probably the best I’ve seen from the club”.

Harry is generally credited with being a major factor in Longwarry winning the 2 flags in the 30’s, while fortifying the backline of the Blues.

Harry passed away in 1985 aged 76. His legacy within the Longwarry Football club remains, with the 2 documents from the “big Melbourne clubs” to be displayed in the Longwarry Clubrooms.