Page 141 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

Len McCankie

“Len McCankie was just a shy 16-year-old with pimples senior debut with Footscray, late in the 1941
season. The Bulldogs played at the Lakeside Oval, McCankie lining up on a half-back flank.

He can't recall who he played on, or which team won, but well remembers it as a “pretty scary
experience.” "I don't think I slept at all the night before the game," he said. "But it was a great thrill,
particularly being so young.”

At the time, McCankie was the youngest Footscray player to crack it for a berth in the seniors — a
fact he recalls with immense pride.

"A kid called Harry Skreja beat me a bit later on," he said. "He was a bit younger when he made his
senior debut (in '69)."

McCankie remained in the senior team for the remainder of his time with the Bulldogs. He played 143
games before quitting the club after ’50 season.

He oozed class on the football ground from a young age and seemed assured of developing into a
league star. McCankie began his career with the Hyde St Primary School team. At age 13, he
captained the Victorian schoolboys team in the Australian Championships. The youngster took on
and beat all opponents and was awarded the J.L. Williams Medal for the best and fairest player
during the carnival.

"Because of that business, Footscray always had me under notice," he said.

He spent two seasons with the North Footscray under-18s in the FDL before joining Footscray. The
Bulldogs signed McCankie the minute Northerners official "Gundy" Wood notified them that he
believed the lad was ripe for the big-time stuff

McCankie was a fearless footballer. Versatility was another strength, McCankie often alternating
between stints on the ball and in key defensive positions. He always kept his eye on the football,
sometimes to his detriment.

"I broke my collarbone once after running into a goal-post at Footscray," he said. "I had my eyes on
the ball and was running back for the mark, and ... it just happened. I remember it was up the Barkly
St end."

The Sporting Globe predicted a big future for a then 19-year-old McCankie in 1944:"McCankie is still
almost a junior, in age, yet his football is characterised with the coolness of a veteran. He is game
and his marking for a fellow lacking an inch in height is outstanding."

The following year, the Bulldogs offered McCankie, 20, the vice-captaincy. His appointment, at such a
young age, may have surprised a few, but it summed up perfectly the esteem in which he was held at
the club. He kept the position for five seasons.

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider