Alby Carr Explained

Alby Carr
Fullname:Albert George Henry Why
Birth Date:1899 8, df=y
Birth Place:Brewarrina, New South Wales
Death Place:Revesby, New South Wales
Retired:yes
Club1:Newtown
Year1start:1922
Appearances1:10
Tries1:3
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:9
Club2:South Sydney
Year2start:1924
Year2end:30
Appearances2:68
Tries2:31
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:93
Teama:New South Wales
Yearastart:1924
Yearaend:25
Appearancesa:5
Triesa:2
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:6
Teamb:Metropolis
Yearbstart:1926
Yearbend:27
Appearancesb:2
Triesb:2
Goalsb:0
Fieldgoalsb:0
Pointsb:6
Coachyear1start:1950
Coachyear1end:52
Coachgames1:36
Coachwins1:14
Coachdraws1:1
Coachlosses1:21
Source:[1]
Updated:5 May 2020

Albert George Henry Why, known by the alias Alby Carr, (1899 - 1969) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s player for South Sydney, who played under his alias for most of his career.[2]

Playing career

He was born at Brewarrina in 1899. His family later moved to Redfern and he played his junior football in Wellington and later at Mascot.

As Alby Carr, he played four seasons for South Sydney between 1924 and 1927, including winning the 1926 and 1927 Grand Final's. Carr was also a premiership winner with South Sydney in 1925 as the club went the entire season undefeated. He represented New South Wales in 1924 under his alias. He played one last season with South Sydney in 1930, this time under his correct name of Alby Why.[3] He played one season as Alby Why in 1930 before retiring. He was the brother of Australian Kangaroo, Jack Why.

Coaching career

In 1950, Alby Why coached the Canterbury-Bankstown team for a season before taking over from Vic Bulgin halfway through 1951. He continued to coach Canterbury-Bankstown in 1952.[4]

Alias, and exposure

A newspaper report from 1929 exposed Alby Carr as a 'ring-in', who was actually Alby Why, the brother of Jack Why.[5] The report was tabled at the NSWRFL on 13 May 1929. Alby Carr's true identity was revealed at the meeting regarding the 'ring-in' allegations. Alby Why tells the story: "I commenced my footballing days at Wellington in 1917. In 1921 he was at Redfern Oval and was asked to play third grade for the Mascot team as 'A.Carr'. Alby Why candidly admitted that he was Alby Carr, in what was known in the turf-world as a 'ring-in'. Then selected as A. Carr, he played one year with Newtown in 1922, then joining the City Houses Competition before being graded with South Sydney Rabbitohs in 1924. During this time and later in England playing with Huddersfield, he retained the name 'Carr', but by 1929 he wished to be recognized by his real name, as his brother Jack Why also played with Souths."[6] [7]

Death

Albert George Henry Why died on 29 December 1969, aged 70.[8]

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alby Why - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project. www.rugbyleagueproject.org. 2020-05-05.
  2. 14/5/1929 'Why" not Carr. Players name change". Evening News, Sydney. (page 2)
  3. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. 1995 .
  4. Web site: Bulldogs . Alby Why - Coach . 2008-01-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071010000308/http://www.bulldogs.com.au/main.php?page=coach&id=14 . 10 October 2007 .
  5. Sydney Morning Herald "Ring-In footballer - ALBY WHY"S Change of Name". (page 11) article 14-05-1929
  6. Goulburn Evening Post: (article) "Football Ring-in" "Alby Carr--Alby Why" 14/5/19299
  7. Evening News, Sydney "Why Not Carr" 14/5/1929
  8. Sydney Morning Herald: Death Notice- 31/12/1969