Full name Cyril Louis Hoft Name Cyril Hoft Position(s) Wing | Height/Weight 177 cm / 63 kg Date of birth 24 September 1896 | |
Date of death 5 July 1949(1949-07-05) (aged 52) Place of death Perth, Western Australia Died July 5, 1949, Perth, Australia | ||
Cyril Louis Hoft (24 September 1896 – 5 July 1949) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the North Fremantle and Perth Football Clubs in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) and the Glenelg Football Club in the South Australian Football League (SAFL).
Hoft grew up in the South-West region of Western Australia, moving to Perth to attend Scotch College, where he played in the school's football team.
Because his school was located in North Fremantle recruitment zone, Hoft began his career with that club, playing eleven games for North Fremantle in 1914. Along with many others from his team, Hoft enlisted in the Australian Army in 1915, which forced the club to disband. Enrolled as a private in the 44 Infantry Battalion, he served in the European theatre, also participating in the October 1916 "Pioneer Exhibition Game", an exhibition match in benefit of the war organised by Frank Beaurepaire. Resuming his league career with Perth in 1919, Hoft finished equal on votes with Subiaco's Tom Outridge in the inaugural Sandover Medal count in 1921. Under the rules in place at the time, the WAFL president had the deciding vote, which he gave to Outridge.
In 1997, Hoft, along with other players that had finished equal on votes but lost on countback, was awarded a retrospective medal. Hoft represented Western Australia in the 1921 Perth Carnival. In 1924, Hoft switched to Glenelg in the SAFL. Standing out in a team that had yet to win a match, Hoft was appointed captain two rounds into the season, and won the club's best and fairest in 1924, also representingSouth Australia at the 1924 Hobart Carnival. He was appointed captain-coach in 1925, and guided the club to its first ever win after 56 losses, an upset against reigning premiers West Torrens. Hoft returned to Perth in 1928, playing one final season with the club before retiring.
He died in July 1949 after a long illness, leaving his wife (Dorothy, née Davies) and six children (June, Kevin, Les, Lois, Maureen, and Peter).