Full name Robert L. Spargo 1958–63 Footscray Height/Weight 183 cm / 81 kg Name Bob Spargo | Position(s) Centreman Weight 81 kg Years Club Original team Braybrook | |
Date of birth (1939-10-15)15 October 1939 | ||
Bob Spargo (born 15 October 1939) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
A Braybrook recruit, Spargo started as a half forward but soon established himself in the side as a centreman and it was in that position that he appeared in the 1961 VFL Grand Final loss to Hawthorn. He had his best VFL season in 1962 when he polled nine Brownlow Medal votes, placing him second behind John Schultz amongst Footscray players that year.
Spargo was lured over to West Perth in 1965, as captain-coach and he won a Simpson Medal the same year for his performance against the Victorians in an interstate match.
He came from an Australian rules football playing family, his brother Ricky was a Footscray player as was their father, Bob senior. A son, Paul Spargo, was an AFL footballer at both North Melbourne and the Brisbane Bears.
The family was also heavily involved in professional athletics with father Bob running third in both the 1936 and 1940 Stawell Gift finals and brother Ricky running 5th in the 1974 Stawell Gift final.