HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

Valentine Christopher SPARROW

Year Inducted 2004
Date of Birth 11th July 1898

PLAYER: 1914-33

GAMES: 222: East Perth 213; WA 9

PREMIERSHIPS: 1919-23, 25-27

HONOURS: East Perth captain-coach 1929-30; coach 1931-32, 47-48; Under-age team coach 1943; WAFL umpire 1936-40 (85 league games including 1936 grand final).

Two world wars were fought during the 35 years Val Sparrow devoted to football.  He fought in World War 1 and was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field while serving in the AIF in France.  Played every game for East Perth in 1915 as a 17 year old before enlisting.  One of only three players – along with Larry Duffy and “Staunch” Owens – to play in all seven East Perth premierships between 1919 and 1927.  It was a record for the one club only surpassed by East Fremantle’s David “Dolly” Christy, who played in nine premierships.