Geoffrey Martin (footballer)

Infobox afl player NEW
playername = Geoffrey Martin
fullname = Geoffrey Bernard Martin
image capt =


birthdate = July 16, 1927
birthplace = Launceston, Tasmania
originalteam =
heightweight =
position =
years = 1946, 1948-54
1947
1955-57
1958-?
Total -
clubs = Launceston
Sandy Bay
Ulverstone
Burnie
games(goals) = 116
?
?
?
312
statsend = ?
careerhighlights =

Geoffrey 'Paddy' Martin (born July 16, 1927 in Launceston) is a former Australian rules footballer who played in Tasmania with Launceston, Sandy Bay, Ulverstone and Burnie. He is a half back flanker in Launceston's official 'Team of the Century' and in 2005 was inducted into Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame as a coaching legend. Martin also once represented Tasmania at first-class cricket.

When he debuted for Launceston in 1946, Martin made an immediate impression as he was selected that year to play with the NTFA's representative team. The following season he crossed to Sandy Bay but returned to Launceston in 1948 where he stayed until 1954, despite getting an offer to go to VFL club Melbourne. In 1951 he appeared with the Tasmanian interstate side for the first time and also appeared for his state at the 1953 Adelaide Carnival. After 116 games at Launceston, he joined Ulverstone and participated in three premierships. He also won Ulverstone's 'Best and fairest' in 1955. His next port of call was as playing-coach of Burnie and he steered them to successive premierships from 1958 to 1960. For the next six years he was the non playing coach of the NWFU's representative team for intrastate games. He coached Devonport in a non playing capacity in 1970 and 1971.

Martin came from a strong cricketing family. His father, also named Geoffrey, was a decent batsman for Tasmania for over a decade while his uncle Gordon represented Queensland at cricket. Martin himself also made an appearance in a first-class cricket match for Tasmania, against Victoria at the North Tasmania Cricket Association Ground in Launceston during the 1950/51 season. He batted at seven in both innings but could only manage four and a duck, dismissed by Thomas Perrin on each occasion. [cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/19/19584.htmll|title=Tasmania v Victoria 1950/51| publisher=CricketArchive]

References

External links

* [http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/ma.htm#Geoffrey%20Martin%20(Launceston,%20Sandy%20Bay,%20Ulverstone,%20Burnie,%20Devonport) Full Points Footy: Geoffrey Martin]
* [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/6505.html Cricinfo: Geoffrey Martin]