Joe C. Blair (died 23 September 1946), known as J. C. Blair and JCB, was president of the

Melbourne Football Club The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed the Demons, is a professional Australian rules football club that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL), the sport's elite competition. It is based in Melbourne, Victoria, and plays its home g ...

, treasurer of the Melbourne Cricket Club, vice-president of the

Victorian Football League The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football league in Australia serving as one of the second-tier regional semi-professional competitions which sit underneath the fully professional Australian Football League (AFL). It ...

(VFL) and deputy chairman of the Vacuum Oil Company.

Early life

Blair had an outstanding school sporting career and was the Victorian mixed doubles champion in tennis three times."Business-Sporting Identity"
''The Age''. 31 May 1946. Retrieved 15 August 2010. He also won the singles and doubles championship of South Australia and regularly partnered Sir Norman Brookes. Bowles was another sport at which he excelled."Melbourne Ground Position"
''The Argus''. 24 August 1945. Retrieved 15 August 2010.

Vacuum Oil

Blair was associated with Vacuum Oil Company for 41 years. In that time he worked as a clerk, assistant accountant, chief clerk, chief accountant, with the financial directorate and finally as deputy chairman of the company for eight years. He retired on 31 May 1946.

Sporting administrator

Football

Blair was the president of the

for 18 years, from 1929, taking over the presidency from

Vernon Ransford Vernon Seymour Ransford (20 March 1885 – 19 March 1958) was an Australian cricketer who played in 20 Test matches between 1907 and 1912. Ransford was a smooth and stylish left-handed batsman who could score with ease all round the wicket or ...

, until his death in 1946, when he was succeeded by

William Flintoft William Morris Musson Flintoft (20 March 1889 – 3 May 1951) was an Australian rules football player with the Melbourne Football Club and the St Kilda Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He played Victorian Premier Cricket fo ...

. He was made a life member of the club prior to 1943. During his time as president Blair met and convinced star West Australian player, Stan "Pops" Heal, to play for the club for the 1941 season. Although Heal only played eight games, he contributed to Melbourne winning their third consecutive premiership. During the time he was president of Melbourne, Blair was also vice-president of the

, of which he became a life member.

Cricket

Blair became a member of the Melbourne Cricket Club Committee in 1929."Office Bearers, Committeemen"
Melbourne Cricket Club. Retrieved 15 August 2010. He became treasurer on 29 July 1941 and served in that position until his death. He was made a life member in 1945.

Legacy

Blair was inducted into the Melbourne Football Club's Hall of Fame in 2008, as a 'Pioneer and Administrator'. The

University of Melbourne Cricket Club The Melbourne University Cricket Club, often called simply "University", plays the sport of cricket in the elite club competition of Melbourne, Australia, known as Victorian Premier Cricket. The club was founded in 1856 and played its first seaso ...

plays

Adelaide University The University of Adelaide (informally Adelaide University) is a public research university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. The university's main campus is located on ...

Cricket Club for the "J. C. Blair Trophy", in an annual Intervarsity match. The trophy was first awarded in 1949, when it was presented by Blair's son Syd, a Melbourne University player.Taylor, Percy (26 October 1949)
"Mick Harvey Ends Career With Fitzroy On Melbourne Cup Day"
''The Argus''. Retrieved 15 August 2010.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blair, Joe Year of birth missing 1946 deaths Melbourne Football Club presidents VFL/AFL administrators