img_7414_

Heroes of Yesterday

This page is dedicated to the heroes of yesterday, when the footballers were colourful, humble and worked for a crust. 

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 42 - 1 Jan 2019 - Col Murphy

Col Murphy is a Newtown Jet through and through and it was only the demise of the club which forced his hand to play for other teams. Col played for the Jets from 1976 until 1983 before spending a year at Norths and then Souths. Col came back to coach the Newtown Jets and impressively they won the comp three years in a row.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 41 – 12 Dec 2018 – Lloyd Martin

Lloyd Martin joined the Balmain Tigers in 1973 helping to win the Under 23's Grand Final. He spent a year with Brisbane Brothers before returning to Balmain until the end of 1981.  Lloyd was the first 5/8 for the Canberra Raiders and stayed with them until 1985 when he joined Bega, winning four comps in as many years. Lloyd begain playing football from 4½ and he retired at 47 years of age after winning a grand final with Bega. 

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 40 – 16 October 2018 – Trevor Ryan

Trevor Ryan began his career at the Balmain Tigers in 1972 and went on to captain that club.  Trevor remained a Tiger until switching to the Newtown Jets in 1979 where he played for two years before moving to Wests in 1981.  Trevor returned to Balmain to finish his grade career in 1982.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 39 – 20 September 2018 – Tony Cosatto

Tony Cosatto was a fantastic talent coming through the juniors and played with his childhood heroe's at Parramatta in 1986.  Tony moved on to the Magpies for the 1990 and 91 seasons before finishing off his career with the Roosters for the 1992 and 92 seasons.

A True Gentleman.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 38 – 10 September 2018 – Brett Clark

Brett Clark has played one of the longest Rugby League careers ever.  From Western Suburbs Magpies, to St Helens, to St George, a number of clubs in England and also a long time in the Western Australia competition.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 37 – 28 July 2018 – Terry Lamb

Terry Lamb began his illustrious career with Wests in 1980 and in 1984 he moved back to his junior team, Canterbury.  Terry remained with the Bulldogs until 1996. Terry Lambs career cannot be summarised in this small section, please read his interview below to do this great mans journey justice.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 36 – 5 July 2018 – Paul Smith

Paul Smith played his junior footy with the very successful Ashcroft High Team. He joined the Penrith Panthers in 1985 and played in the 1990 Grand Final and was in the Premiership winning side of 1991.  Paul played with the Panthers until 1993 and switched to the Western Suburbs Magpies in 1994 where he matched the most tries by a club player in a season.  Paul played with the Magpies until 1997.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 35 – 28 May 2018 – Gary Howell

Gary Howell played for Parramatta from 1981 to 1983 before moving to Penrith in 1984 and stayed a Panther until 1987

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 34 – 24 April 2018 – Keith Cole

Keith Cole, tough as nails Front Rower for the Illawarra Steelers and South Sydney who also had stints in England and France.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 33 – 26 October 2017 – Percy Knight

Percy Knight was an enigmatic player, who was part of the Monaro team which defeated the Great Britain touring side. Percy played with Balmain from 1978 to 1982 before moving to Canberra from 1983 to 1984.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 32 – 15 August 2017 - Rod Henniker

Rod Henniker was a founding member of the Illawarra Steelers and played three years for them.  Prior to his homecoming to the Illawarra, Rod played for the North Sydney Bears from 1989 until the Steelers were formed.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 31 – 17 July 2017 - Wally Fullerton Smith

Wally Fullerton-Smith began his career at Redcliffe playing between 1981 and 1986 with stints in France and at Leeds before moving to the Sydney competition in 1987.  Wally played for St George from 1987 through until 1992.  Affectionately knows as Gator, he played 12 State of Origin games from QLD between 1983 to 1990 and he also played eight games for Australia between 1983 and 1988.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 30 - 14 June 2017 - Graeme Wynn

Graeme Wynn was a great servant of the mighty St George Dragons, with a career at the club spanning from 1979 to 1990.  Graeme went on to play two season at Western Suburbs.  Graeme played two Interstate matches one Origin for NSW. Graeme also played for Australia on the Tour of New Zealand in 1980 and was also names the Rookie of the Year in 1979.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 29 - 01 June 2017 - Les Hayes

Les Hayes had a distinguished career with the Eastern Suburbs Roosters from 1966 to 1971 and then returned to the Tri Colours side for the 1974 and 1975 seasons.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 28 - 03 May 2017 - Paul Morris

Paul Morris was graded with the Balmain Tigers in the tail end of the 1980 season before joing Newtown the following season.  Paul spent the majority of the season before skyrocketing into the 1981 Finals series and earning a position alongside Tommy Raudonikis in the Grand Final against Parramatta at a very young age.  Paul also played for the St George Dragons.  Paul is as great a footballer as he is a great bloke.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 26 - 22 March 2017 - Greg McCallum

Greg McCallum had a distinguished career as a First Grade Referee from 1983 through to the Grand Final of 1994.  Greg McCallum reached all levels possible refereeing State of Origin, Internationals and First Grade Grand Finals. 

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 25 - 08 March 2017 -Peter Fardell

Peter Fardell played for the mighty Balmain Tigers in the Glory years of 1966 to 1971 and was part of the side in the lead up up to the infamous 1969 Grand Final win over glamour side South Sydney, only injury prevented him playing in the big one.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 24 - 15 Feb 2017 - Eric Ferguson

Eric Ferguson joined the Eastern Suburbs Roosters in 1974 as a goalkicking fullback and later joined South Sydney in 1978 until 1981.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 23 - 29 Jan 2017 - Bruce Longbottom

Bruce Longbottom is a Rabbitoh tragic, he grew up in the Souths juniors and played with some of the Rabbitoh legends of the game. A handy and rugged centre or winger and played many games for the famous Red and Green between 1988 to 1990.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 22 - 15 January 2017 - Mark Tookey

Mark Tookey had a distinguished career starting with the inaugural South QLD Crushers side in 1996. Tookey moved to Parramatta in 1998 after the Crushers folded and played in the infamous Qualifying Final against Canterbury who came back from the dead to steal the game. Tookey played for the New Zealand Warriors from 2000 to 2004, playing in the 2002 Grand Final before spending a few season in the UK.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 21 - 01 January 2017 - Geoff Foster

Geoff Foster was a rugged Second Row Forward who played a mountain of First Grade games during the notorious Wests sides of the 1970's. Geoff's playing days for Western Suburbs Magpies spanned from 1972 to 1978.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 20 - 16 December 2016 - Bill Annabel

Bill Annabel joined Souths in 1976 and toured New Zealand as a Sydney Representative at the end of that season.  Bill played with Souths until the end of the 1978 season and played a year for the Cronulla Sharks in 1979.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 19 - 23 October 2016 - Lee Crooks

Lee Crooks footballing career spanned an eternity, playing for clubs in the UK and Australia.  Lee played for Hull between 1980 and 1987, Leeds until 1990 and then Castleford until 1997.  Lee also played three season in the Sydney premiership, 1985 and 86 with Western Suburbs and then a season with the Balmain Tigers in 1987.  A noted goal kicking forward who also played in 19 matches for Great Britain and one for England.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 18 - 06 October 2016 - Chris Close

Chris Close played for Manly from 1982 to 1987 before moving to the Gold Coast Seagulls the following year until the end of 1991.  Close played in 14 matches for Queensland from 1979 to 1986 and also represented Australia between 1980 and 1985.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 17 - 08 September 2016 - Michael Bolt

Michael Bolt played for the Illawarra Steelers from their Maiden year in 1982 through to 1990.  A one club man and holds the record for the most consecutive matches for the club, 187 grade matches.  Michael was also the Steelers player of the year twice, 1983 and 1987

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 16 - 01 August 2016 - Mick Delroy

Mick Delroy made his debut for the Parramtta Eels in 1986 and managed to play in the Grand Final that year, where he was knocked unconscious.  Mick played for Parramatta until 1988 and had two seasons with Easts until 1990

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 15 - 27 June 2016 - Adrian Vowles

Adrian Vowles started his career with the Gold Coast Seagulls in 1993 and later switched to the Cowboys in their maiden year.  Adrian played State of Origin in 1994 and later spent seven years playing club football in the UK.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 14 - 24 June 2016 - Mike Eden

Mike Eden was a journey man, playing with four clubs during his career between 1981 and 1989.  Mike started with Manly in 1981 and moved to the Roosters in 1983 then Parramatta in 1985 and finally ended up with the Gold Coast GIants in their maiden year in 1988.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 13 - 29 May 2016 - Alan Fallah

Alan Fallah played for Western Suburbs from 1984 to 1990.  Alan Fallah has been a high school teacher for nearly 30 years and gave up a stint with Canterbury to attend university. Alan represented Country

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 12 - 24 May 2016 - Glenn Nissen

Glenn Nissen was graded at Penrith in 1986 and then moved across to Canterbury in 1988 to play in the Grand Final winning side.  Glenn remained at Canterbury until 1991 until he returned to Penrith in 1992.

Glen now runs a successful health and nutrition business at http://www.glennissen.com/

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 11 - 14 May 2016 - Ray Blacklock

Ray Blacklock began his footballing career with Penrith and captained Penrith to their first title, the 1978, the Under 23's Grand Final. Ray then switched to Newtown for the 1981 and 1982 season where he played in the 1981 Grand Final and was involved in the notorious Final brawl between Manly and Newtown.  Ray finished his illustrious career with the Canberra Raiders during the 1983 and 1984 seasons

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 10 - 08 May 2016 - Geoff Bagnall

Geoff Bagnall was the first halfback of the Gold Coast Giants side in 1988, he played with them until 1991 before having a stint with Wakefield Trinity in the English league. 

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 9 - 27 April 2016 - Larry Corowa

Larry Corowa played for the Balmain Tigers between 1978 and 1983 before entering an early retirement.  Larry made a remarkable comeback in 1991 for the Gold Coast side.

Larry was a very quick footballer and was known as the Black Flash.  Larry played 5 games for NSW and twice for Australia

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 8 - 13 April 2016 - Colin Fraser

Colin Fraser played for St George from 1982 to 1988 and then With Easts for the 1989 season.  Colin played at some landmark events including the opening of Parramatta Stadium and the SFS.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 7 - 22 March 2016 - Ian Barkley

Ian Barkley played for Eastern Suburbs from 1981 to 1983 and then with Manly from 1984 to 1988.  Ian was the NSWRL Sportswriters Rookie of the year in 1981.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 6 - 16 March 2016 - Jason Martin

Jason Martin was the Dally M Rookie of the year whilst playing for Norths in 1990.  Jason played with Norths until 1992 before switching to Newcastle from 1993 to 1994.  Jason was part of the Cowboys first side when they joined the competition in 1995 and remained there the following season.

Jason is also remembered as a singer who released his music cassette 'Take it to the Top' whilst playing for the Bears.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 5 - 10 March 2016 - Paul Sironen

Paul Sironen is a Tiger through and through playing for Balmain between 1986 until 1998.  Paul played 14 State of Orign games for NSW and played for Australia on 21 occasions

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 4 - 5 Match 2016 - Marty Gurr

Marty Gurr played for Easts, then Souths and finally played with Manly between 1979 and 1988.  Marty played in two State of Origin matches in 1983.

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 3 - 3 March 2016 - Colin Scott

Colin Scott played for Wynnum-Manly, then the Brisbane Broncos, QLD and Australia representative

Heroes of Yesterday, Interview 2 - 25 February 2016 - Jason Bell

Jason Bell played for Parramatta, Norths, Souths, return to Parramatta and then Auckland between 1989 to 2000. 
!