Jim (J.J.) Morris

Jim (J.J.) Morris was on of the great sportsmen of Northcote’s early days. In particular he was a superb all round cricketer and a very useful footballer. Morris was involved in one of the most famous cricket matches in early Northcote history. The match was against fierce local rival Preston in 1874/75 at a ground on the corner of Bell and High Street in Preston. Morris’s Northcote scored 36, and then, after conceding a bye from the first ball, proceeded to dismiss the entire Preston team without further addition to the score! While McIntosh was the chief destroyer with 7 wickets, Jim Morris contributed the other 3 from his one over. Preston was all out within 3 overs. 

Sporting prowess aside, Jim Morris was also a great pianist and was said to be the heart and soul of the Northcote community. He was incredibly popular with all his peers. As he got older he turned from sports, to of all things, rose growing, and once again he excelled. He was known as Northcote’s “Rose King” for many years and he was a long time member of the Royal Horticultural Society. 

Morris was also honorary secretary of the Melbourne Football Club.

SHADOWS ON THE SCREEN. (1920, October 30). Northcote Leader (Northcote, Vic. : 1882 - )