Harry "Soapy" Vallence (4 June 1905 – 25 July 1991) was a champion Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and the Victorian Football Association (VFA). He played at full forward for the VFL's Carlton Football Club in the 1930s, and in the 1940s for the VFA's Williamstown and Brighton Football Clubs
Originally from Bacchus Marsh, in 1926 he came to Carlton as a half-forward. He soon moved to full forward where he became known for his safe hands and mighty kick. He kicked 11 goals in a match on four occasions – twice in finals. In 1937 he left Carlton to play with Williamstown Football Club in the Victorian Football Association as captain-coach. His dispute with Carlton arising when he returned from representing Victoria in an interstate match to find himself selected at centre halfback in the seconds grade. He was lured back to Carlton for the 1938 season, helping to secure the Blues first premiership 23 years.
Returning again to Williamstown in 1939, he topped that competitions goalkicking with 133 goals, and helping them to a premiership. In 1940 he kicked 111 goals for Williamstown. He resumed playing in the VFA after World War II, as the captain-coach at Brighton, where he played his last game in 1946 (kicking 11 goals).[1][2]
Vallence played 204 games and kicked 722 goals for Carlton in his career; the latter was a club record until broken by Stephen Kernahan in 1997. He scored a further 337 goals for Williamstown, 88 for Brighton, and 19 in representative games for Victoria, for a career total of 1166 goals.
He died on 25 July 1991 of Alzheimer's disease in Geelong Hospital.
In 1996 Vallence was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Playing career:
Player honors:
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