Charlie Clymo


William Charles "Charlie" Clymo was the Captain of the Ballarat Fire Brigade for almost forty years and he was also an excellent sportsman being a good enough to be an Australian rules footballer who played for St Kilda. He later coached Geelong to a premiership in the Victorian Football League.

Career

Originally from Eaglehawk, where he worked as a fireman, Clymo played football on Wednesday for Eaglehawk and on Saturday for. He made his St Kilda debut in 1907 and that season was a member of the first ever Saints side to compete in the finals.
After three years playing in the VFL, Clymo was appointed captain of the Ballarat Fire Brigade. Re-locating to Ballarat he became captain-coach of the local Golden Point club in the Ballarat Football League. He led the club to premierships in 1910, 1914 and 1919.
He also coached Ballarat from 1920 to a premiership, in 1923. In 1924 he was successful in taking Moolort to its only flag in the Maryborough competition. He later took up umpiring.
He took charge of the Ballarat Imperial for two years 1929 for a premiership and 1930 runner-up.
In 1931 he was appointed coach of Geelong and helped them to the premiership, defeating Richmond in the Grand Final by 20 points. He got six months leave of absence from his employer, J Selkirk, Brickmakers to be able to fulfil his appointment.
In 1932 he was back coaching Golden Point, the depth of the depression the club had little money and he coached without compensation.
He served as captain of the Ballarat Fire Brigade from 1910 to retirement in 1949. He was a keen participant in the Fire Brigade competitions winning over 150 trophies between 1907 and 1925.
He died in 1955, leaving a widow and a son.