Melbourne Rules - Challenge Cup Competition
Original Carlton Football Club player.
DOB: 1848 circa
DOD: 19 September 1930 Kew
Committee Member 1866
Career: 1864 - 1867
Left, James (Jim) Byrne.
According to the Melbourne Cricket Club library this photo was taken around 1865.
However, it is part of a group photo of 6 Melbourne players including Charles Forrester. Both Byrne and Forrester crossed to Melbourne early in 1868 along with Harry Chadwick after some internal upheaval at Carlton.
A pioneer player of 1864.
Image: Leader Aug 22 1908
1865 July 22
Byrne was named in the 25 man squad to play the Warehousemans' club at St.Kilda.
1865 August 26
Byrne was named in the 25 man squad to play the Warehouseman at either Phoenix Park (near the cemetery), or Princes Park, or Royal Park. Three newspaper reports give three different locations.
1866 Byrne scored 1 goal after half an hour's play, in the last match against South Yarra ( game ended in a draw, 1 goal all).
Carlton played 4 games for the Challenge Cup during the 1866 season, and scored only 3 goals, 2 by W. 'Bill' Gorman and 1 by J.Byrne.
1867 Byrne scored one of the goals in the win over Pentridge (Coburg) at Royal Park, August 31.
1868 Following internal dissension at Carlton;
Jim Byrne transferred to Melbourne in 1868 along with Carlton's first Captain Harry Chadwick and Charles Forrester.
(The Carlton Story, H.Buggy and H. Bell p13,15,16)
James Byrne was a vice president and captain of the Melbourne club after the retirement of H. C. A. Harrison.
1930
Died September 19 at his home in Kew. James had lived opposite H. C. A Harrison, he was in his 82nd. year.
James Byrne Melbourne captain in Adelaide 1877. Image: Origins of Australian Football Vol. 2 p160, State Library of Victoria
The inscription says "To J. Byrne (captn) First Intercolonial Match Vics v Melbourne 1877"
The "Vics" were an Adelaide team made up of expats from Victoria
Image: Origins of Australian Football Vol. 2 p161, M.C.C. Collection