Hector de Lacy

Hector "Hec" de Lacy (6 May 1900 – 1 November 1956)[1] was a leading Melbourne-based Australian rules football writer, covering the Victorian Football League for over 20 years from the 1940s. He wrote by the name H.A. de Lacy.

de Lacy was the chief football writer for The Sporting Globe newspaper in Melbourne. He was noted for the controversial and bold nature of his writings. He was often banned by clubs for periods of time. His opinionated and unabashed style made him one of the most widely read sports journalists of his time. He campaigned in the 1940s for better payments to players, arguing that 3 pounds per week was inadequate for the time spent training, travelling and injuries.[2] He was an ardent supporter of the Victorian Football Association's throw-pass rules, which were in effect in that league during the 1940s.[3] deLacy also wrote about tennis and cricket.

de Lacy was inducted to the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996, with his citation reading:

Chief football writer on The Sporting Globe. Forthright and controversial, his style sometimes resulted in him being banned by clubs, but that did not deter him and he became one of the most widely read journalists from the 1940s.