Background
FRAZIER, JOHN was born on May 20, 1928 in Grinnell, Kansas, United States.
FRAZIER, JOHN was born on May 20, 1928 in Grinnell, Kansas, United States.
Washburn University (Bachelor of Arts, 1955. Bachelor of Laws, 1957). Delta Theta Phi.
He is also a 'legend' in the state's Football Hall of Fame. Leedham, nicknamed 'John L', always played with his socks down and was known to be a colourful character on the field. He was brought up in Campbell Town and started his football career at North Launceston in 1946, aged 17.
He was almost poached by the Melbourne Football Club in 1949 but a knee injury stopped him from making his debut. After 124 games with North Launceston, including a stint as captain-coach, Leedham crossed to TFL club North Hobart. He coached North Hobart from 1954 to 1959 and steered them to a premiership in 1957.
Leedham represented Tasmania at the 1947, 1953 and 1958 interstate carnivals. In 1953 he was named in the inaugural All-Australian side, the only Tasmanian, and in the 1958 Melbourne Carnival he captain-coached the state to famous wins against South Australia and Western Australia.
Playing as a centre half forward, Leedham was a member of NTFA premiership teams in 1946, 1948, 1949 and 1950 as well as three Tasmanian State Premierships.