Date of birth 17 August 1864 Years Club 1897 Collingwood | Years Club Original team(s) Brunswick Name Bill Strickland | |
Date of death 24 November 1959(1959-11-24) (aged 95) | ||
William 'Bill' Strickland (17 August 1864 – 24 November 1959) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood in the inaugural Victorian Football League (VFL) season.
Strickland was a centreman and started his career with Brunswick before joining Victorian Football Association side Carlton in 1885, playing in their 1887 premiership side. He missed the 1889 season after rolling his ankle in a practice match, but returned in 1890.
He would cross to new team Collingwood at the end of 1892 due to internal dissent and dissatisfaction at Carlton. After arriving at Collingwood, he became the club's captain, and led the club to the 1896 VFA premiership after they defeated South Melbourne in a premiership play-off, which was also his 200th career match.
In 1897 he was Collingwood's first ever VFL captain, and lead them to third place before retiring.
He returned to the VFL in 1904 as coach, and again briefly in 1908. He was also involved in Sydney Australian rules football for many years.