The death of Billy Hanneysee
Old football enthusiasts will regret to learn of the death of Mr William ‘Billy’ Hanneysee, formerly captain of the Port Melbourne club, which occurred at Cairns, Queensland, on August 20. Mr Hanneysee, whose parents were among the earliest residents of Sandridge before it became Port Melbourne, was aged 68 years. He was educated at Wesley College and then entered the service of Ferguson and Moore. Later he was employed by Swallow & Ariell Ltd. Mr W. H. Swallow induced Mr Hanneysee to go to Queensland to a position on a sugar plantation. Afterwards he became a hotelkeeper at Cairns.
Mr Hanneysee was regarded as one of the cleverest footballers of his day. He played first with the Sandridge Star team, and then went to Carlton and played with such noted players as Jack Baker, S. Bloomfield, E. Barrass and Bill Strickland. After a while he returned to Port Melbourne and later played in the South Melbourne team with such players as Sonny Elms, Peter Burns, H. Latchford, and T. Bushell. Leaving South Melbourne he formed the Port Melborne senior team, taking with him well known players like Fred McKnight, B Morton, and A Decis. His associates in forming the Port Melbourne club were Messers, P. Harper, John Coffey, Peter Kinniburgh, and L. Vine. Mr Hanneysee has left a widow. His only son was killed at the war.
A famous footballer: an appreciation by ‘Rob’
The passing away of this one-time brilliant footballer at Cairns, Queensland, recalls many spectacular games this little curly-haired chap played in the old days. Born in Sandridge, and coming of a good family, he was brought up in a religious atmosphere, and was taken as a little boy to a private school conducted by Miss M. J. Ladner. Some years after he went to Wesley College, and in cricket and football had one or two games, but preferred his home town players.
He shone out as a footballer in his youthful days with 'The Sandridge Star.' Many of that team are still alive. After a year or two with his original club, the Sandridge team got hold of him, and he was described by all as 'the little wonder.' This was in 1882. So far had his fame reached that he played his first senior game with Carlton on May 3, 1884, and in the same year John Coffey and 'Ginger' Kinibury left Sandridge and played with South. Hannaysee was a star performer against allcomers.
I can well remember reading the account of those matches, where friend and foe alike were standing on their toes cheering and clapping from all quarters of the ground, but in spite of all the applause and inducements offered he was back in his old colors before the end of the season, and in 1884 the club changed its name from Sandridge to Port Melbourne, and the following was their team, only a few of whom are alive today :— Tyrells (3), O Connor, Wilson, Hanneysee, Riley, Mc Knight, Young, Beggs (2). Quinlan, Decis, Carter, Seisman, McLeod, Goding, Parkinson, Lilley, Finlay, Barfelt, Cleland, and others.
In the year 1885 'Willie' Hanneysee donned South's colors, and those who are with us today can testify in the great brilliance displayed by this stylist. There are not many of this old team left. Gilchrist, Purdy, Windley, Burns, Young, and McKnight were in the team, but all must admit, for a lightweight, very few, if any, could beat Hanneysee. The games of those old times are not comparable with the matches of today. Conditions are different. But in the minds of many we have never had such a stylist since Willie played.
When the season 1886 opened up, back he was with his old love — 'The Ports' — and brought with him several of South's best men, viz.— McKnight, Decis, Coffey, and a few more — and Port Melbourne formed a senior team. There were grave doubts of this newly formed team holding their own, but although not attaining any premierships, readers know what a formidable team they made, and how they gave a great account of themselves in many stirring matches.
Hannaysee also excelled in foot running, and carried off many professional events at old Gurney's grounds. As a cricketer he was a splendid batsman and wicketkeeper, and played in the Sports Depot competitions and also on turf. He was an amateur fireman in the days of the volunteer fire brigades.
Footnotes
Title: OBITUARY
Author: The Argus Staff Writer
Publisher: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic: 1848-1957)
Date: Saturday, 3 September 1932, p.20 Article
Link: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4496019
Title: Passing of "Billy" Hannaysee
Author: Record Staff Writer
Publisher: Record (Emerald Hill, Vic: 1881-1954)
Date: Saturday, 10 September 1932, p.7 Article
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