John James Bisset (1 September 1900 – 21 August 1966) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club and played for and coached the South Melbourne Football Club in the VFL.Note that, in a number of places, his family name is often (incorrectly) given to be Bissett; despite his service record, where both his incorrect family name and incorrect birth date were (deceptively) given by Bisset himself, his birth, marriage, death, and electoral roll records all have Bisset.
Family He married Bridget Catherine Quigley (1896–1971) in 1920. Their son, Ray Bisset, played for Fitzroy Second XVIII and Melbourne Second XVIII, before playing for the Moe Football Club;Can You Pick Premiers?: Moe, The Argus, (Thursday, 2 July 1953), p30 and their daughter married Des Healey.Taylor, P., "League Footballers of 1950—Wing Men", The Argus, (Saturday, 10 June 1950), p.6; The Argus, (Monday, 19 September 1955), p.20
Football Nar Nar Goon Bisset started his football career at Nar Nar Goon, captaining their 1921 premiership side. He also played with Nar Nar Goon in 1924 and 1925.
Port Melbourne He moved to Port Melbourne in the VFA in 1922 was fullback for their premiership side in that year.
Stawell He was captain-coach of Stawell in the Wimmera Football League from 1926 to 1927, with a premiership in 1926. He began playing as a follower.
Richmond He moved to Richmond where he made his VFL debut in 1928. He spent two seasons with the Tigers, 1928 and 1931, both ending in Grand Final losses.
Nhill In between his two seasons at Richmond he was captain-coach at Nhill.Nhill's Coach, The Horsham Times, (Tuesday, 19 March 1929), p.3 In 1930, he was part of the combined Wimmera Football League team that defeated a combined Gippsland team 11.15 (81) to 4.8 (32),Sporting News: Football, The Horsham Times, (Friday, 8 August 1930), p.5; Wimmera Defeat Gippsland for Country Football Championship, The Weekly Times, (Saturday, 16 August 1930), p.38; Today's Sport, The Argus, (Saturday, 9 August 1930), p.15 in the Victorian Country Football Championship match, played on Saturday, 9 August 1930, on a very muddy M.C.G.Mud and Slush, The Australasian, (Saturday, 16 August 1930), p.26
South Melbourne In 1932 he was recruited by South Melbourne and became their captain-coach the following season. Bisset had an immediate impact on the club, guiding them to their first premiership in 15 years — the collection of players recruited from interstate in 1932/1933 became known as South Melbourne's "Foreign Legion".The caricature at the foot of page 10 of Table Talk (22 June 1933) was created by Richard "Dick" Ovenden (1897–1972). From left to right those represented are: Jack Bisset, the team's captain; Dick Mullaly, the club's secretary; Brighton Diggins, from Subiaco (WAFL); Bert Beard, from South Fremantle (WAFL); Bill Faul, from Subiaco (WAFL); Joe O'Meara, from East Perth (WAFL); Frank Davies, from City (NTFA); Laurie Nash, from City (NTFA); John Bowe, from Subiaco (WAFL); Jack Wade, from Port Adelaide (SANFL); Ossie Bertram, from West Torrens (SANFL); and Wilbur Harris, from West Torrens (SANFL).
He remained coach until the end of the 1936 season having reached the Grand Final in every year. South Melbourne however could not repeat their 1933 success, losing the Grand Finals by 39, 20 and 11 points respectively.
Port Melbourne He was appointed captain-coach of Port Melbourne in 1937;Jack Bisset Confident, The Age, (Friday, 2 April 1937), p.14. however, as a consequence of the team's poor performance, he resigned his position mid-way through the season.Bissett Tenders Resignation, The (Emerald Hill) Record, (Saturday, 12 June 1937), p.5
Rainbow In 1938, he was appointed captain coach of the Rainbow Football Club in the Southern Mallee Football Association.Many League Permits, The Argus, (Thursday, 21 April 1938), p.18; South Players as Coaches: Bisset and Welch for Country, The (Emerald Hill) Record, (Saturday, 23 April 1938), p.4 He was unable to play for part of the season due to having fractured ribs.Five Playing Coaches Injured, The Age, (Thursday, 23 June 1938), p.7 Rainbow lost the 1938 Grand Final against Hopetoun Football Club 21.11 (137) to 11.6 (72).Results of Other Games: Hopetoun, The Argus, (Monday, 12 September 1938), p14
Military service He enlisted in the Second AIF in June 1940.Items of Personal Interest, The (Emerald Hill) Record, (Saturday, 1 June 1940), p.1; Good Players Few and Far Between, The (Emerald Hill) Record, (Saturday, 13 July 1940), p.1; Sportsmen's Honor Roll, The Weekly Times, (Saturday, 19 July 1941), p40
Team of the century Having won 63 of the 80 games that he coached, Bisset was named coach of the Swans' official 'Team of the Century'.
Notes
References Hogan P: The Tigers Of Old, Richmond FC, Melbourne 1996 Men Who Led League Grand Finalists, The Sporting Globe, (Saturday, 13 October 1934), p.7
External links
Boyles Football Photos: Jack Bisset
1926 - Wimmera FL 2nd Semi Final teams: Nhill FC & Stawell FC team photos 1926 - Wimmera FL Premiers (Stawell FC) & Runners Up (Warracknabeal FC) team photos World War II Nominal Roll: Bissett (sic), John James (VX19505): note that he took 2 years off his age. World War II Service Record: Bissett (sic), John James (VX19505): note that he took 2 years off his age.