Bill Harris commenced playing football for Avoca in 1921, after the First World War.
Although club records are sparse, in 1993 another former Avoca champion, Allan Kaye, was able to provide ample background to reveal much of the lost years.
Allan went to school with Bill and his wife, then Peggy Brereton.
Both Peggy and Bill were two of the best all round sports in the district.
`Peggy was a champion tennis player`, said Allan.
He added, `We called Bill `Noisy`, because he was good at everything and, by God, he let you know it`.
In 1922 young Bill Harris was an enthusiastic member of the football committee, and from 1923 hardly a game was played without Bill Harris being amongst the best.
He was instrumental in Avoca`s one point victory over Natte Yallock to win the 1923 Premiership.
Although Avoca lost the 1924 Grand Final to Lexton, Bill was amongst the best players.
His football career was interrupted in 1925, when he worked on the Open Cut mine at Yallourn.
Again in 1926 he was a top player for Avoca, and was simply sensational in 1927.
When the Bulldogs thrashed Barkly by 70 points in the 1927 Grand Final, Bill, the Vice Captain, was best a field.
In 1928 he was appointed captain & coach, but work commitments mid-season forced him to hand the responsibility to Paddy Ryan.
However, it not prevent him from playing a vital role in the 1928 and 1929 Premierships.
When he stopped playing football in 1935, he concentrated on golf.
Until the day he died, Bill Harris continued to play his golf like he played football, fiercely competitive and extremely proud of it.
