In part 5 of his history series, Parra Pete examines the 1966 season. After finishing near the top of the table for the previous four seasons, big things were expected. Pete takes up the story:
1966 was a disappointing season after the success of the previous four. It was also the year that my “City-fied” life was about to come to a conclusion.
At the age of 19, I had been offered a transfer to Hay – a Country town in the Riverina – and when I accepted the transfer it was a ‘massive tree change”, and a move that, 50 years later I still pinch myself and think “How LUCKY were you?” I just love the place and it has been so good to me.
In regards to Parramatta, things were going OK, apart from the fact that some of the ‘stalwarts’ were beginning to age. However, the Club had invested plenty in the development of its juniors, and had a fantastic nursery of players – the biggest Junior League in the competition.
Jack Argent said a yearly outlay of ten thousand pounds ($20,000) was beginning to pay dividends.
Mr Argent told the Telegraph” Highly talented youngsters developed in this scheme are already filtering through to third grade and reserve grad.
Mr Argent claims Parramatta have more school teams playing League than the rest of the metropolitan area combined.
He said Parramatta have 531 school teams.
Of the 46 high schools in the Parramatta district, 30 are playing League
The Club had been semi finalists in all three grades since 1962 (save for 1965 when the Reserve Grade just missed out).
The Club decided to go on the cheap in relation to recruiting players, preferring to rely on local talent coming through the ranks and, to use a Jack Gibson saying ‘dance wif dem wot brung us to the dance”.
The season was thought to promise much.
Despite losing several seasoned veterans like Derek Hallas, who had moved to Group 5 as Captain/coach of Inverell Swans in Country Rugby League,half back Bobby Bugden, wingers Mike Jackson and Ken Foord, big prop Lindsay Armour, the only ‘new arrival’ from outside the Club’s own nursery was tough as teak centre Fred Pickup.
Fred had played with re-appointed coach Ken Thornett at Leeds and had joined the NSWRL competition in 1964 with Manly.
Pickup was a handy player – tough as nails – and another expert exponent of the controversial Cumberland Throw tackle, introduced to the competition by Ivor Lingard the previous season.
The Cumberland Throw makes the headlines.
The season saw players like Jim Brophy, Kerry Burke, Ernie Gillon, Gerry Edser, Mike Jones (I really liked his style), Bill Jones, the flying David Irvine, Peter (Dutchy) Linde, Gabe Very, and Lenny Stacker get a taste of first grade.
Players like John McMartin and the The Bear, Bob O’Reilly were on the scene in the lower grades – and both players were destined to earn “legend status” with Parramatta.
Arch Brown was injured in a car accident before the Round 3 match against North Sydney and only managed to play six games for the season. The accident, tragically claimed the life of his child.
Tough times
The season started with a 21-11 loss to South Sydney at Cumberland Oval, with Arch scoring all points with a try and four goals) It was a fiery match and an indication by the Parramatta side that it would not be intimidated by any pack. Parra bounced back and fought back from being down 12-4 to snatch a 12 all draw with the Mighty St George team at Cumberland Oval on a Saturday afternoon.
It was in this game that Reg Gasnier (“Puff the Magic Dragon’) was injured without any player within co-eee of him.
His knee collapsed under him, and he fell to the ground as if shot. It was sad to witness the most brilliant centre I had ever seen, injured in such a way”.
(He had torn a cruciate knee ligament and was later ruled out for the season. In fact, Gasnier’s playing future was put in serious doubt with two specialists advising that he risked permanent damage. Reg, however, was able to ‘come back’ and was Captain/Coach of the 1967 Kangaroos.)
The draw against the Premiers gave the fans hopes of another successful season. However, the hopes were dealt a blow with a loss to the Bears at the old Sydney Sports Ground 23-15 – and the loss of several players through injury
Parra got into the winners list with an 11-0 victory over Wests at Cumberland Oval on Anzac Day. Jimmy Brophy, playing against his old Club scored a try, but could have finished with three. Len Stacker replacing the injured Brown landed a goal and he looked like a promising player.
Parra down the Magpies.
(Len had two seasons as a player with the Club and in 1977 coached the Parramatta Reserve Grade team to a premiership. He was ‘head hunted” by Penrith Panthers as Senior Coach for 1978, 1979 and 1980).
Newtown and Balmain both had good sides in 1966, and scored successive wins over Parra, to keep the side down near the bottom of the ladder.
The side bounced back with a win over last placed Roosters 21-9 (Easts never won a game that season – one of the few Clubs to have that distinction. I have a good mate Ken (Feet) Flanagan who played hooker that season with the Roosters, and he has told me many funny things about the coach of the time, Bert Holcroft, and the way the team prepared for matches), and a strong 18-11 victory over Manly at Brookie.
Fred Pickup made his first grade debut with the Club against Easts, and celebrated with two tries, and he backed it up with another brace against the Sea Eagles. Wow, remember thinking “Gees he a good Pickup”!! Pickup scored again against Canterbury next week, but the team lost 12-10 with Les Johns kicking 3 goals to Lenny Stacker’s 2 the difference.
Next week was to be the last Parramatta game I saw live for a number of seasons. During the previous week I was offered a promotion in my job – and after being 23 on the seniority list, it came down to me. II made a decision to take it – and as it turned out, it was the best decision of my life at the time.
The scoreboard at Hay.
I was to start my job in Hay on 20th June, and I was booked onto the South West Mail train on the Sunday night.
It was an eventful weekend for me – a send off from my Sydney work place, my last game of football with my mates on Sunday afternoon and a quick dash to Cumberland Oval for the game against South Sydney.
Can’t remember how my Club went, but Parra was beaten 17-2 at Cumberland, letting me leave with a heavy heart – no fairy tale story this time.
After an overnight train trip from Central I remember sitting on Narrandera Railway Station on Monday morning reading the match report of the game, and also perusing the Test Team selectors named for the SCG Test match the following Saturday against the Poms.
Not one Parramatta player made the team, which consisted of Keith Barnes, Ken Irvine, Changa Langlands, John McDonald, John King, Gary Banks, Billy Smith, with the forwards Lloyd Weier. Ian Walsh (Capt), Ron (Dookie) Crowe, Billy Bradstreet, Angelo Crema and John Raper.
I got to know Ron Crowe very very well. Dookie, from West Wyalong, is a legend in these parts. A hard hard man who played into his fifties. He could have been cut out of granite..What a champion player, what a champion bloke. RIP Ron…. http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/1808333/rugby-league-legend-farewelled-in-home-town/
The pommies had a strong team which included Tommy Bishop and Alan Hardisty in the halves, a tough forwards Cliff Watson, Brian Edgar, Peter “Flash” Flanagan and Johnny Mantle. England won the Test 17/13 with Keith Barnes landing 5 goals from 7 attempts to keep the team in the contest.
Test matches were a true contest for the toughest.
The next two Tests were won by the Australians 6 to 4 in Brisbane (tryless Test) with Dick Thornett and Ron Lynch paying in both Tests matches. Ron scored a try in the Third Test to put the Kangaroos in a winning position
I signed up with the Hay Magpies in Group 17 and the team had a great season – until Grand Final day when beaten 5-3, the only loss of the season, in a weekend of heavy rain – the only rain seen in the district for a long time. “There were frogs three and four years old that didn’t know how to swim”…
My interest in the Parramatta side continued, but I no longer kept clippings on the game – which I regret now.
I did however continue to pen articles for the Daily Telegraph Letterettes column under the nom de plume of” Parra Pete”.
The team lost to St George at Kogarah 18/8 before drawing with the Bears 12 all at Cumberland, the pleasing aspect of this game was the return of Archie Brown.
He only played a couple more games that season.
Pleasing for me personally was to read about the exploits of two mates, Gabe Very and Kerry Burke. I was in the same class as Gabe at school, and Kerry Burke lived about a street away from me in South Granville, and was also a good mate, as was his late dad Jimmy.
Parra needed to win its last five games to grab a spot in the finals, but could only manage to win four going down 16-12 to arch rivals Manly at Cumberland Oval.
I miss my clippings from the middle of the 1966 season, but I have a good memory still despite my rising age. I regret not continuing with my fanaticism of keeping everything to do with the Club.
BUT I can close my eyes and recall matches and incidents from those matches like they were ‘action replays”
I have made many many friends through my association with Rugby League especially Parramatta Eels, Hay Magpies and Country Rugby League.
My path has crossed with many legends of the game – and indeed sport – people I am honoured to be able to call these people friends.
I’ve met some great people through rugby league, including the great Artie Beetson.
I continue to follow the game strongly, especially the Eels, and I also have a soft spot for the Canberra Raiders – a Club that has been very good to me, and I have a huge amount of friends with the Raiders
I continue to cover Rugby League for my local newspaper The Riverine Grazier, Hay, and have a weekly 2 hour sport Show on community radio with 2Hayfm.
Rugby League truly is the greatest game of all. I love it, and am thankful for the doors in my private life that sport, particularly Rugby League, has opened for me
I am really appreciative of the opportunity given to me by Craig and the others members of the crew of THE CUMBERLAND THROW. I am glad to be able to ‘document’ my memories of my favourite era of football and post them on this website which has been a ‘godsend’ for followers of the Eels.
Parra Pete
Editors Note: I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Parra Pete’s recollections from our Eels history and thank him on behalf of TCT and our readers. I was far too young to remember the 1961 to 1966 years, but my father has enjoyed the memories that this series has triggered. I hope it’s brought back memories for you and/or your family. I wanted to include this image that Pete sent me from Ken Thornett’s book – check out his thoughts about interstate football. (Sixties)
The thoughts of the Mayor.
A very interesting read indeed and have loved each one of the articles put together by Parra Pete.
Reading the bit on interstate football really raises the eyebrows but also has me remembering the times when the old RLW paper would have a few full page spreads regarding RL across Australia. News was published and reports given of interstate and NSW country RL through the various group competitions and the like, then another full 2 pages of Scoreboards listing all the results from across the country. Remembering back then where the Riverina district and down to Albury which the later having 2 strong teams, then to see a NT team play against WA in what we had was the rep season and played as a lead up to one of the games at the SCG.
Another one was the NSW Police team against another team that I forget who it was. As I reflect on those days and what Pete has said regarding QLD, makes me ponder, in some areas and one being the difference in the RLW, today a glossy mag that I have not read for many years, and therefore wonder at how much space is dedicated to the same reports of RL in the country and across this state, to allow as to get an idea of where the game is at today compared to say 1966 or even 1976. as the eels started their rise.
With the NRL and NSWRL now canning the annual City Country games, I wonder if part of the problem is not because there is no real competition for Country based players to compete, in order to show their wares against a city side, and dare I raise the old term of seconds as some were called? A team comprising Country based players against even an ISP team to play against, as well as having a country day of RL as a showcase would help lift the game. I believe that the now extinct concept is no longer really a true reflection of Country RL, as the whole 2 teams of 34 are really City based players and no longer represent the Country as far as identity goes.
Interstate or should I say SOO as we now know of it. The idea was a brilliant one but for me the game really has degenerated to such a point where, & this is showing my bias, that QLD has changed the concept to such a point where they have done whatever they could to ensure their domination of the game, especially with player eligibility, as to which state they can play for.
This has been brilliant reading Pete. Thanks again to you and TCT for this opportunity. Here is some footage of the 1963 Kangaroos which includes Brian Hambly being sent off in the third test
Second test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob8GGGy3G_A
Third test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQwrRtipPLA
My parents knew brian “grumpy “hambly well ,he told us that when he decked the pommy he did so on the orders of the coach ,grumpy was carrying an injury and sent a message to the coach saying he wasnt sure he could make it to the end and the message came back thats okay but make sure you bring someone with you ,grumpy obliged and funnily i think he made it to the end anyway !
Wow, this is superb Parra Pete and Sixties. A wonderful read on this grey Monday morning…..when we are itching for some football news. It is good for us older people who only knew of the late 70’s to look back on the clubs history and time. Thank you again…..
Thank you Mitchy. I have really enjoyed doing the articles as it has enabled me to ‘troll’ through my memories and recall the time that helped shape my life.
Rugby League, as I have mentioned in the articles, has opened many doors in my life, and has provided me with the opportunity to meet and interview many of Australia’s greatest sports stars – and become friends with a lot of them.
In recent months I have interviewed stars like Michelle Payne, Hugh Bowman, Noel Callow, David Furner and Michael Cronin on our “Community Radio Show”…opportunities I would not have had but for sport. I love that aspect of my life and my involvement in sport.
Thanks again to TCT for giving me the opportunity to recount my memories. You have made an old man happy
Awesome read PP !
My first look at the eels was in 66 and can still recall vividly a Ken Thornett orchestrated overlap putting Arch Brown over for a try in the leagues club corner. Cannot even recall who we were playing but the crowd went psycho ! Without wishing to re-ignite the KT vs JH debate on best eels fullback ever, KT would get my vote for his amazing positive effect on the rest of the team. When he played, especially at cumberland, we were a big chance.
Thanks Pete (you’ve clarified something for me) I was at Cumberland with my late father the day Gasnier injured his knee towards the end (I think) of the game & Parra coming from the clouds to snatch victory (well at the time I thought we had won, didn’t realise that we only got a draw). I remember the crowd going wild & my dad going to the Vauxhall inn with his mates to celebrate with a few beers ( Whilst I got to mind the car amply supplied with crisps & blue bow lemonade.
Ray
I know this comment is a bit late but I only just found part 5 and the time to read it Parra Pete. The recollections you’ve awakened of my early teens are flooding back with much clarity.
What a delightful series you’ve compiled here for us, with the assistance of sixtiesboy. I watched my first Parra game at the old Cumberland Oval in 1965 which was a new adventure for me. I was a typical 12 year old, 1st year in high school at Greystanes. I had played soccer for about 5 years and knew very little about ARL, if anything or Parramatta for that “matta”
I had just moved into my Nana’s house in Merrylands from the Housing Commission at Seven Hills over the Christmas holidays so I didn’t know anything about Parra the footy team. A new school mate who introduced me to everything Parramatta, including jumping off Nulla’s bridge behind Cumberland Oval, the old Parramatta Speedway on the site of the now Westmead Hospital. Lennox Bridge that carries Church St traffic across Parra river had a tunnel chiseled out by removing sandstone blocks (supposedly by the convicts) was explored using matches and a candle “borrowed” from David Jones on the other side of the river to the tunnel.
I will never forget the excitement that stirred, no, “Expoded inside of me” when I first heard the roar of the crowd when walking through the railway underpass from Parra Golf course emerging into Parra Park on our way to the speedway. “What’s That”! I exclaimed to my school mate? Oh that’d be Parra scoring a try over at Cumbo. I replied, “can we jump the fence over too”? “yeah, we should be OK around the back of the pool now that the game’s started”. We changed direction in unison and joined you and your mates on the hill Parra Pete.
Thanks for the memories champ, I believe we’re about to experience some great new ones in 2017.
It’s never too late to comment Rowdy. Your own response brought back my own memories of the tunnel inside Lennox Bridge (now sealed up!) My brother and cousin were agile enough to shin their way up the vertical tunnel to enter inside the bridge. As for me, I was never built for such clamouring and had to be content going no further than the entrance. Still we had olenty of fun exploring the creeks around Parra and Northmead and the river itself. Wonderful days.