Late last year TCT were fortunate in securing historical contributions from Parra Pete, a regular correspondent in the media during the 1960s. Pete has quite a scrapbook on the Eels, and a wealth of memories about the heady days of that decade.
As we hit the week celebrating the 70th anniversary of Parra’s first ever Premiership match, and the Eels look to end a month long winning drought, it’s opportune to take a timely flashback to the ending of an even longer dry spell. Fittingly, we venture back 55 years to a clash with the Wests Magpies.
With thanks to Parra Pete, join us as we jump into that TCT Time Machine for our Easter footy flashback.
Sixties
THE ENDING OF A DROUGHT.
by Peter (Parra) Montgomery
The Easter Monday clash between the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers will hold significant memories for long term supporters. It will be 55 years (and 3 days) since the Parramatta 1962 team – under the coaching of Killer Kearney – ended a 3,169 day drought in matches against Western Suburbs Magpies – surely one of the longest losing streaks between two Clubs in an established competition.
A classic team shot from 1962, courtesy of Getty Images.
Wests were a powerhouse back in those days, evidenced by their appearance in three successive grand finals (1961, 1962 and 1963) against the St George Dragons in the midst of their 11-premiership run. It’s hard to believe, but they were considered to be the “Silvertails” of the premiership, and only the might of that famous Red V club prevented the “Maggies” from notching their own little slice of premiership folklore.
Parramatta, on the other hand was the perennial wooden spooners finishing last in the 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 seasons. During that six year period, the Parra side only collected 16 victories and one draw. A total of 91 losses marked that era as a dark time.
It was a primitive venue, but the locals loved their footy at Cumberland Oval in the 60s. (Image courtesy of the Daily Telegraph)
This incredible losing streak against Wests finally came to an end at Cumberland Oval on this weekend (April 14) in 1962 with the highly regarded Robin Gair landing two goals to enable Parra to record a narrow 4/2 victory over the Magpies.
The match was not without its controversy. A second half intercept try to Parramatta winger Ken Foord was disallowed for a double movement, a decision which did not sit well with the blue and gold faithful.
This dour affair was decided in the middle of the field, with the Eels pack earning plaudits for their tenacity and their scrummaging (a highly valued skill back in the day).
Newspaper reports of the match.
Later that season, Parra would go on to again defeat the Magpies 23 to 11 in a bruising battle at the Sydney Cricket Ground, announcing the Club as a strong contender for a semi-final position in its then sixteenth season in the competition.
Flash back even further and funnily enough, the Western Suburbs Magpies was the first team Parra beat as ‘stand alone Club’ in the NSWRL. It was a bruising 13/8 win at Parramatta Oval on June 21, 1947.
However, after that victory, matches against Wests usually went the way of Magpies, with Parra only winning two and having a draw with the neighbours in the five seasons 1948- 1952.
The great Ken Thornett in action.
Parramatta (will call them Eels from here-on) started to hit its straps in that 1962 season.
In 1962, the Eels put together an undefeated streak of nine matches (eight wins and draw) – the signing of The Mayor, Ken Thornett, from English Club Leeds on loan for a ten week period -being the catalyst of success.
On The Mayor’s departure from the Club to return to Leeds to complete his contract, Parra lost its four remaining “home and away” matches, but had enough competition points (20) to grab fourth spot, just ahead of Eastern Suburbs on 19.
Parramatta supporters rejoiced at the Club FINALLY being a chance for premiership honours.
The season resulted in a huge build up in support for the Parramatta side. Fans became louder, parochial, and fanatical in support of the team, and expectations of success were high, especially as the team had recorded good wins over the Magpies in the ‘home and away’ series.
However, the task to go one further proved a ‘bridge too far away’, especially without the inspirational Ken Thornett in the line-up.
The semi- final line ups.
In the semi-final, Wests won a hard match 6-0 with centre Gilbert McDougall crossing for both tries. Gilbert, the father of Test winger and Newcastle Knight premiership player Mad Dog Adam McDougall, was a very good player and he was outstanding in this match.
Clashes between the Eels and Wests are always something special. I enjoy them immensely.
Watching the teams compete on Easter Monday will have me recalling the days of the start of the awakening of the sleeping giant.
The great Dick Thornett belting it up against the Magpies.
I will recall those who “dug the well the current crop of players are drinking from”.
I will recall the feats of Ken Thornett, Dick Thornett, Brian Hambly, Ron Lynch, Leo Toohey, Bob Bugden, Billy Rayner, Noel Dolton, Kenny Foord, and Mike Jackson running around in the Blue and Gold.
Ron “Thirsty” Lynch
These were just some of the players who gave the young teenagers of the Parramatta district a team of which it could be proud.
This team ignited the passion in me for the love of the Parramatta Eels and Rugby League.
Rugby League has opened many doors for me – and provided me with many fantastic memories and friends.
These days I take it as it comes. I am as parochial as the next bloke, but finally at my age – I can enjoy the ebbs and flows of what the team provides, without suffering depression following a loss.
But it wasn’t always that way.
Enjoy the game and be respectful to it. The sun will rise tomorrow!
Parra Pete
Thanks Pete,
My sentiments also re your summation, spoken like a true supporter. Thanks for the info on 1962 has brought back a few vague memories.
That is superb Pete; great memories and anecdotes. My old man talked about the same Peter Dimond I am sure that is the same bloke on the wing. Great read and gee i wish we could buy the old style gurnsey.
Thanks for those kind words. I loved writing the article..Nothing better than being a passionate Parra supporter – win lose or draw..It is character building and prepares you for ANYTHING life can throw at you, that is..if you control it, and not it control you.
Been there done that..Many years of gnashing of the teeth, and sulking over a loss. Finally, I can relax and ENJOY the game. Still swear at the TV but no longer beat myself up…:lol:
I just love this website…btw..
Glad that our Tv’s do not swear back Pete.
Thanks Pete – it’s an honour to publish your recollections.
What a brilliant match to pick
* Wests
* Easter
* Ending a drought
Well written, Parra.
I remember those days on the Hill with yourself and the boys with great fondness.
Even on those days when it wasn’t “a game – it was a shame!!!”
They were certainly great times Anthony…Good mates, good times, and many memories. would never swap those times for ANYTHING..
Superb work Mr Montgomery. As my dear old dad would say, come on you blokes, do you wanna make me cry?
That game was a mere 3 years shy of my advent as an instant Parra fanatic and clearly the catalyst for what I was to be mesmerized by shortly thereafter. Some members of that team were still playing in 1965 which I hope you can re-acquaint and introduce to us TCT and current Parra fans in the not too distant future. I got to know Bullet pretty well in the early 1970’s when he coached me for a very short period when unfortunatley it was cut short by an altercation between my Dad and Roy Fisher a day after I got graded so Billy told me when he gave me the bad news. In hindsight R. Fisher was probably right about my lack of ability but you probably shouldn’t tell a hard headed WW2 veteran that about his son. Billy and Dad were pretty good mates too. Roy Fisher was an ex front row forward and a club official.
Anyway as you say Pete we have many wonderful and some not so wonderful memories about our Mighty Eels and the many events before during and after games as we sulked around after a loss or enjoyed our victory celebrations to excess at times.
Finally Parra Pete, you’re contributions on this site have added another dimension to and give rise to the fact that TCT is an excellent and quite different footy forum. Thanks for the memories cobber. I’m sure we all look forward to more of your treasure trove shared here.
Rowdy, these posts from Pete open up my old eyes to some of the history of the Eels that’s not traditionally documented. Pete sees things from a fan perspective and his recollections are like a thread being woven through the teams past. Even though my own father has been watching Parra since 1947, we tend to talk about what’s happening now and less so the past. When I’ve shared Pete’s stories with him it always gets a flood of his own memories.
When I first made contact with Pete, I made it a point of inviting him to share his stories. I’m looking forward to more of them when we face our more traditional rivals this year.
Thanks Rowdy..Billy Rayner, Roy Fisher, Noel Storkey” Cornwall were the foundations of which the Club was built. Roy held the record of the most first grade games for the Club….without missing any…before he left to join North Sydney Bears.
He was a tough front rower with red hair…and although just a plugger by todays standards…was a ‘local hero; to us blokes way back when PASSION and EXCITEMENT at getting within ten points of a win was all the rage, and wanting us to come back for more.
BTW I am not MR Montgomery…Most people know me as PARRA….and have been known as that for about 50 years..lol.
I hope I can provide more ‘items’ of interest from the sixties.
I never missed a game in the early sixties until I was transferred to Hay with employment in June 1966. My memories of that era are VIVID, and I hope I can relate them onto paper..
Rugby League has provided me with many opportunities in life, and to know many of the champions of the the code. I have never come across a Rugby League superstar that has not been a pleasure to meet…..and I know plenty. It is a truly great game.
Thank you for your lovely compliments. Makes an old bloke happy to read them.
Hi Folks,
I am Ken Foord’s daughter Kaye (one of the twins). I have Dad’s footballing career scrap book which is full of newspaper clippings, original photos he had ordered from the Newspaper at the time and some Rugby League News / Program Booklets. If someone would like to drop me an email on the best way to go about getting the details to you, I would be more than happy to share the content with you.
Hi Kaye,
I just joined yesterday and just read your comment. If my memory serves correctly I think I played against your dad when he played for Wentworthville in the second division comp. I was only a youngster and I was a little star struck. I think there were a few other ex Eels in the team. Am I right or is my feeble old mind playing tricks on me. Do you have any details on the Wentworthville team?
Hi Slugg. I’m going to see if I can find Kaye’s email address for you. Her reply was two years ago and unless she has notifications turned on she might not see this reply.
Thanks. I’ll check the dates next time. I’ll learn I’m not very bright you know.
It’s fine mate. I’m glad you’re checking the older posts. I appreciate it when people take the time to discover what we have covered in our history. I hope you’ve also watched or listened to all of the interviews too.
Hi Sixties, just a little leg up on our Slugg, he joined the other site a couple of years back and has the uncanny record of never being wrong, he has a memory like an Elephant and a trunk to match.
He just happens to be one of the nicest blokes you will every come across and is a real character,
look after him mate. I know he will enjoy your comments like we all do.
With regard to this weekend I am a little bit worried. After we beat Melbourne and then Roosters, I am worried the Grand Final will be a terrible anti-climax.
I hope you guys can spice it up a bit…..that Grand Final will be something else!
In the meantime go the eels!
You found me you sly old bastard I thought I’d be safe here without my avatar.
Hi Slugg, No sorry I only have his Parramatta Era.
Great memories Rowdy and Pete. They must have been interesting times. I surely wish us fans could buy real memoribillia from the years gone….
When was the leagues club built.? And if you fellows know when did it become a power base for the area? I would attend the facilities there some nights when at uni in the early 90’s, and for a meal after a game.
Was not old enough in those days – you had to be 21 to enter a Licenced Club…I was 16/17 at the time.
The Leagues Club was built in 1959, from memory. The.Colonel Jack Argent was the builder – and the main pusher. It became known as “The House Jack built”..
One of the major supporters of the Club in those days was Sergeants Pies…the opposition fans used to call Parra “Argents Pies”…the bastards…lol
It took a while for the Leagues Club to become the power base it is now.BUT at least it enabled the Club to enter the race for stars of the game…like Brian Hambly, Ron Lynch, Bill Roney, Bobby Bugden Ken and Dick Thornett, Barry Rushworth, Derek Hallas, Ivor Lingard, as well as devote funds to the development of junior players, like Bob O’Reilly, Keith Campbell, Denis Fitzgerald, Barry Leaney, Gabe Very Lenny Stacker and Kerry Burke to name just a few.
I still haven’t been to the Leagues Club all that many times..being a ‘bushie’..and an ex publican..I prefer to frequent pubs when I am in town…
Parra Pete,
I’m new to this site and read your article it bought back a lot of memories. I remember buying the afternoon paper on the way home from work and on the page with the comics and crosswords was a comment section. One of the regulars was Parra Pete that would have to been you. It was wasn’t it.
Slugg
Hahahahaha..Yeah, that was me..The section was the 50/50 Letterettes in the Daily Telegraph. I started writing these ‘letterettes’ during the 1962 season. Was MORE passionate about the Eels then, than now (probably..But my love of the Club has never faded, and I have made some very good connections and friends out of it…
Your fame has never waned
I told you he had a memory like an Elephant! that’s amazing Slugg, even for you …..Silly Old Bastard!
PS.. I was at the SCG when Thornett played and we beat Wests. Ken refused to be tackled!
No he didn’t refuse to be tackled..They couldn’t TACKLE him, because they were not good enough…Four things players needed to remember when coming up against The Mayor…”you don’t tug on Superman’s cape, you don’t spit into the wind, you don’t pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger, and you don’t mess around with Ken”…..* which, by the way, is an old Jungle saying……
I always thought Ken was The Phantom and 6ft 8 when a mate introduced us I was shocked he wasn’t even 6ft
anybody got any information on eels reserve grade side from 1957 lost all my photos in floods had lots of friends form that time i am 83 yrs old lost lot of memories