Thomas Banks (17 June 1867 – 26 November 1919) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Fitzroy Football Club in both the Victorian Football Association (VFA) and the Victorian Football League (VFL). He captained the club to its first VFA premiership in 1895, and also captained Victoria in intercolonial matches. Born in country Victoria to an African ex-slave who escaped the Southern United States, Banks was one of the most popular footballers of his generation, and in 1911 became the first ex-player to be awarded life membership of the VFL. Family The son of Jordan Henry Banks (1832-1887), and Sarah Jane Henry (1849-1940), née McMullen, Thomas Banks was born on the Maryborough goldfields, His father, Jordan Henry Banks, was once an American slave: [Tom] Banks's father, a giant of about 6ft. 3in., and built proportionately, and who commanded the respect and good will of all sections in Maryborough, was a slave before the civil war. Such was his great strength that the log cabins, in which runaways were confined on the plantations, were not strong enough to hold him. He was chased and run down by hounds; but ultimately made his escape to freedom via Canada, coming to Australia and settling in Maryborough, where all the family were born. — The Australasian, 29 November 1919. His brother James Albert "Darky" Banks (1883-1930) played football and cricket for many years in Western Australia. He married Mary Ellen Moriarty, the sister of Geoff Moriarty, on 17 December 1919 (11 months before his death). Footballer He was an Australian rules footballer who played 171 games with Fitzroy; and, as third captain of the team, he was captain of the club's first premiership team in 1895. After football After retirement, he served at the Fitzroy football club as an administrator for many years. Death He died in hospital, after an operation, on 26 November 1919. Obituary A former Fitzroy team-mate, Sam McMichael (1869-1923), who had played alongside Banks on many occasions — who regularly contributed to The Referee under the nom de guerre "The Onlooker" — wrote an informative obituary, that clearly situates the extraordinary Banks within his era: Tom Banks, one-time famous Fitzroy footballer, is dead. In the fullness of manhood's prime, death came. Of giant stature, his strength had no avail. Thus they pass, strong men and weak, a stream to the shadows, day by day, year by year; rushing