KINNEAR, Ted

Ted Kinnear was a splendid follower and strong marking forward who came to Essendon from Essendon District which was a top junior team that played its games at the Essendon Recreation Reserve.

Kinnear played 35 games in Essendon's VFA team and played in Essendon's first League game in 1897. He was a star in the premiership victory that year. He was also a star at full-forward in the 1901 premiership win. He didn't miss a game in 1901 and kicked five goals in one game.

He became the first Essendon player and fourth in the League to reach 100 games when he played in Round 1 in 1903 against Fitzroy.

In both 1900 and 1901 he represented the League in games against Ballarat. He was Essendon vice-captain in 1901 and had been re-appointed for 1902 but stood aside when champion George Stuckey returned to the side.

Kinnear spent a year on the Club committee in 1923. He had also been Mayor of Essendon in 1919 and 1920, a time when the plans for Essendon to return to the ground he had played on as a junior were being formulated.

His grandson, Paul Kinnear, was inducted into the Supporter Hall of Fame in 2005.

Ted Kinnear died on 3rd March, 1965. The Annual Report noted his death and described him as "a renowned player of the 1890s and respected citizen and businessman who maintained his association with the Club till the last".