Eric Audley Gordon (14 June 1898 – 30 June 1981) was an Australian rules footballer who played briefly for the St Kilda Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1918 season.
Early life
Gordon was born in Victoria, Australia, on 14 June 1898. Details of his family background, education, and early involvement in football are not well documented in contemporary sources.
VFL career
Gordon made his senior VFL debut in round 8 of the 1918 season, playing against Fitzroy at Brunswick Street Oval on 29 June 1918. Wearing jumper number 19, he participated in a losing effort (St Kilda 3.5 (23) to Fitzroy 7.6 (48)). He retained his place for round 14, playing against Geelong at Corio Oval on 10 August 1918, which also resulted in a defeat (St Kilda 6.6 (42) to Geelong 10.27 (87)). Over the course of the season, Gordon appeared in two matches and did not score any goals. St Kilda finished the 1918 season fourth on the ladder with eight wins and six losses, though Gordon did not feature in the club’s finals campaign.
Later life
After his short VFL stint, Gordon did not pursue a documented career in football coaching, administration, or other senior roles within the sport. He married Clarice Gordon and lived in Caulfield during the mid‑1920s; the couple later separated, with divorce proceedings initiated in 1926. Gordon eventually settled in Dandenong, where he lived until his death on 30 June 1981 at the age of 83.
Legacy
Gordon’s VFL career was limited to the two games he played in 1918, a period heavily affected by World I, which saw many clubs coping with player shortages due to enlistments. While his on‑field contributions were modest, his brief appearance reflects the broader challenges faced by the league and its clubs during the wartime era. No major awards, records, or post‑playing contributions to Australian rules football have been recorded for Gordon.