Bob Bignall

Robert Francis "Choc" Bignall (14 March 1922 – 11 August 2013), commonly referred to as Bob Bignall, was a footballer and Socceroo captain at the 1956 Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia.[1][2][3] Bignall started his career in 1939 and played over 400 matches in NSW for Corrimal Rangers, Woonona, North Shore and South Coast United as a defender before going onto represent both NSW and national sides as captain in the 1950s.[4][5] He was inducted to the Football Federation of Australia Hall of Fame in 1999.[6]

Bob Bignall
Personal information
Full name Robert Bignall
Date of birth (1922-03-14)14 March 1922
Place of birth Wollongong, Australia
Date of death 11 August 2013(2013-08-11) (aged 91)
Playing position(s) Right Back
Youth career
1935– Corrimal Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Woonona-Bulli
1945 North Shore
1950–1953 Corrimal
1960 South Coast United
– Career Total: 424
National team
1954–1959 Australia 8 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Bignall played for North Shore in 1945, then the Corrimal Rangers from 1950 to 1953 and for South Coast United in 1960 and 1961. All clubs were part of the NSW Division 1.[2] He was a small stature man that had lightning speed and tenacious will to win.[4]

International career

Bignall played 8 matches for the Australian national team between 1954 and 1956, and he was the 127th player to debut for his nation against New Zealand on 28 August 1954. He became the 16th captain of the national team against South Africa in Sydney on 24 September 1955. He was also the captain for both of the 1956 Summer Olympic games.[5][7]

Death

Bignall died 11 August 2013 at the age of 91.[8]

References
  1. "Bob Bignall Bio, Stats, and Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  2. "Australian Player Database - BI". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  3. "FIFA Player Statistics: Robert Bignell". FIFA. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  4. "Bob Bignall". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  5. "The Australian national men's football team: caps and captains" (PDF). Football Federation Australia. ozfootball.net. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  6. "FFA Football Federation Australia Hall of Fame". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  7. Administrator. "Vale Bob Bignall". www.ozfootball.net. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  8. http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1700723/56-olympics-captain-bob-bignall-dies/?cs=12
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