Thomas H. Smith

Thomas Henry Smith (born 1 July 1830 in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland) was an Irish Australian who had a clear role in the origins of Australian football by being one of the first people to introduce school football games to Australian public schools in 1858 and as one of the founders of the Melbourne Football Club. Smith was a founding member and signatory to the foundation document of the Melbourne Football Club. According to some sources (including himself in an 1876 letter to The Australasian) he was one of few people to be present at the meeting of the incorporation of the club on 17 May 1859. At this meeting, the first Laws of Australian Football were decided upon and written. Smith was also a distinguished player for the club.