About Bill Cleary
Lived 1868 – 1942 (aged 73). Bill Cleary was an australian rules football player.
William 'Bice' Cleary (20 February 1868 – 27 January 1942) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Fitzroy Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Cleary came from South Ballarat, and after two seasons crossed to Fitzroy. He was vice captain in 1894–1896, and after Tom Banks retired, was 28 when he captained Fitzroy in the inaugural VFL season. He resigned the captaincy, which went to Alec Sloan the following season.
His final game was as a forward pocket in Fitzroy's 1899 Grand Final triumph, having come into the side towards the end of the season after not playing for over a year.
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Important facts
People in Bill Cleary's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Bill Cleary's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Bill Cleary?
Australian rules footballer
When was Bill Cleary born?
Bill Cleary was born on 20 February 1868 in Ballarat East.
When did Bill Cleary die?
Bill Cleary died on 27 January 1942 in Kew.
What was Bill Cleary's occupation?
Bill Cleary was an australian rules football player.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Bill Cleary (Australian footballer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bill Cleary. https://biography.guide/bill-cleary-australian-rules-football-player/
MLA: "Bill Cleary." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bill-cleary-australian-rules-football-player/.
Chicago: "Bill Cleary." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bill-cleary-australian-rules-football-player/.
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