John English was a member of the North Melbourne side that won the club’s first VFA Premiership in 1903. His daughter Mary wasn’t born until after his playing days were over, but knows just how much the club meant to him. Along with several other family members, she hand delivered her father’s premiership medal to CEO Eugene Arocca at Aegis Park.
“He loved North Melbourne. After he’d finished playing he still used to take me around the place and tell me who lived here and there. But I was never allowed to go to the football with him, because my mother wouldn’t allow it,” Mary Carton, John’s daughter said.
“We’re an old west Melbourne north Melbourne family that goes way back to the mid-1800’s.”
North defeated Richmond 48 to 27 to claim the premiership and the family has always kept English’s medal close-by.
“Dad had it in his handkerchief drawer and when he died, my brothers kept it. I eventually took possession of it years later and when my husband died, I moved to a retirement village and then John‘s granddaughter Jackie had it.
“We are very happy to hand it over and know it’ll be kept safe here and that’s the most important thing,” Mrs Carton added.
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