Picture a time when a trip to the footy meant sitting on a splintered wooden seat or on barren embankments of earth overlooking equally barren playing fields. When grainy black and white vision of the second half of matches was provided by the ABC, and Reg Gasnier was commenting on football not playing it.
It was the late 1960s, and it was when I fell in love with rugby league, Cumberland Oval and the Parramatta Eels.
There was no logic to such affection for my local team.
Sure, I can rationalise and understand that my father was the ultimate influence. He took me to the games. He worked with Eels players. Yet very early on, this passion of mine for the team in blue and gold hooped jerseys (my favourite jersey) had become illogical and far exceeded that of my father.
However, in this infancy of my support, finals football was a foreign concept.
The mighty St George team was coming to the end of its 11 year reign and rugby league was about to adopt a limited tackle rule. The Premiership was growing from ten to twelve teams in 1967 with the inclusion of Cronulla and Penrith, whilst Parramatta was becoming a stranger to the big matches at the SCG.
A rare colour photo of the 1967 Parra team.
A quick run down of the Eels seasons in that era, when the finals only involved the top 4 teams, exemplifies the lean times:
1966 – 6th
1967 – 10th
1968 – 6th
1969 – 5th
1970 – 12th (wooden spoon)
1971 – 4th (The mayor, Ken Thornett, came out of retirement in this anomalous season)
1972 – 12th (wooden spoon)
1973 – 11th
1974 – 12th (wooden spoon – Fitzgerald was top points scorer via 9 tries!)
I was a kid back then. Kids followed winners. Souths, Manly, St George – they were the jerseys worn by most of my mates.
The Parramatta Eels had been in existence for nearly 30 years and were yet to claim a title, let alone appear in a grand final. I had never stepped through the gates of the SCG to watch my team play a finals match.
Sure, there’d been plenty of great players during those dark years. The packs were always a strength. O’Reilly, Thornett, Lynch, Hambly, Campbell, Fitzgerald, McMartin. Quality players all. But it never quite clicked.
Ron Lynch – and that brilliant blue and hooped jersey from that era.
So, to the present day, and as the recent years of absence from finals footy began to mount, I wondered how the latest generation of young Eels fans would be feeling.
Because just like that past era, there would be young fans with no experience of watching the Eels playing matches through September. Need it be mentioned that there are supporters, with children of their own, who have never witnessed the club holding the Premiership trophy aloft?
For those supporters, a parallel could be drawn to 1975.
Back in that year, an Eels team short on superstars, but big on heart, battled their way into the finals. They had to do it the hard way via mid week play offs for 5th spot, then an elimination final victory over the Bulldogs, before they took on finals mainstays, Manly, at the SCG.
The beginning of better days – the 1975 Eels.
That match marked my inaugural trip to the Cricket Ground for the first finals match that I had attended. I’m not ashamed to admit that tears of pride filled my eyes as the team ran onto the field. Ultimately, the Eels were not quite good enough that day, but it was the moment that my pipe dreams for success became an expectation that a title was just around the corner.
As those commemorative flags fluttered last Friday night, and vision of the Eels dressing room celebrations were shared by the club’s media department, I couldn’t help but reflect back on those days gone by.
The Eels dressing room celebrates the win – and a top four spot.
Now, like then, there is little experience of finals football to be found in the Parramatta team.
Scott, Auva’a and Jennings have experienced the euphoria of the big stage,
However, Tim Mannah is the only player in the current squad to have played in finals football for the Eels. Maybe that September air explains our captain’s surge of form at the back end of this season!
And what about those players, unwanted by their previous clubs, who walked off ANZ Stadium on Friday night in a finals bound Eels team:
Will Smith – busted knee, unwanted at Penrith, but becoming Mr Fix-it when the injury toll mounted.
Nathan Brown – not rated by Souths, vilified in the press as a thug, Ken Thornett Medalist at the Eels.
Suaia Matagi – discarded by the Panthers, the Eels becoming his fourth club in 3 years, charging fearlessly into defences.
Kirisome Auva’a – contract terminated by Souths, de-registered by the NRL, thrown a lifeline by BA, getting the job done at centre and wing.
Cameron King – a career curtailed by serious injury at two previous clubs, 18 months running around for Wenty, his impeccable service becoming the starting point for Parra’s dynamic attack.
These players have become better footballers under Brad Arthur’s tutelage, and importantly, they’ve all had a role in taking the Eels into the play-offs.
The resilience garnered from the 2016 hell hole is the foundation for this team. Brad Arthur and his coaching staff have been the architects of the resurrection. The Eels mentor, with roots found in his own family’s passion for the club since its inception, is now creating a bright future.
A top four finish. The Eels playing finals footy. How good is it?
That young kid with tears of pride in his eyes might just be this middle-aged bloke feeling the same way.
How about you?
Eels forever!
Sixties
Brilliant 60s. As a kid I always followed the eels as my dad had done but I suppose I was used to us not being overly successful during the 90’s and 2000’s. I was born in ’88, a little late for our most recent triumph!
I remember feeling so devastated losing to the storm in 09, only to find out they had cheated the cap and had their title stripped.
Between 2011-13 I hated watching football because we were the laughing stock of the league. Consecutive spoons, multiple coaches, a board in turmoil and players who either didn’t care or didn’t have the ability.
Enter Brad Arthur. Hayne was playing the way he should have been for years, and he wasn’t the only bloke on the park for once. Sure we went through guys like sandow and Foran and let’s not even mention 2016!
But this year is the first year in a long, long time we have deserved to play finals and we have well and truly earnt our right to be there. I am so excited for the future of this club and I know it is in good hands.
Finally players are buying in to a winning culture. Respect and hard work go a long way in this game and we finally are displaying both.
Go Parra!
Gem, 2011 – 2013 were just awful. Spot on. It truly tested my strength as an Eels supporter. I recall saying, “I don’t really want to go to the game because it looks like the players don’t either.”
The undoubted quality of BA’s teams seems to be, above all else, pride in the jersey. That’s a great foundation to build on.
I was introduced to the Eels when my late husband took me on our first date ( where else could you take a 14yr old.) . It was at Lidcombe oval a double header pre season game. We played Wests , it was the night Peter Dimonds son was born , of course we lost. I have been obsessed ever since. We went to every game back in those days. That was 1964
1964 was a decent year to start Nonna. Finalists then and the following year. You’ve seen some good times and your share of bad since then, that’s for sure. Glad you’ve stuck by them.
So proud of all the people at the club, coaches, admin and of course our wonderful players, across all grades. I am a positive person by nature, however at the start of the year and until about 6 weeks ago I thought we could only make the 8 and would have been happy with that, but never did I think realistically top 4. Glad to be proven wrong.
Our players are resilient, they cover injuries, suspensions and dare I say the weekly lopsided penalty counts. The players and coaches don’t whinge or offer up excuses, they don’t blame injuries, they own poor games and poor off-field decisions and make amends by moving forward together. I respect those qualities in any person and love it in my team.
While last night was a really ugly win, we simply would not have won that in the past. In fact I would say that we perfected in the past the art of how to loose games we dominated. We are learning how to win games that we don’t dominate or really play well in. I believe you have to learn to win regularly before you become machine like, ie Melbourne. We will get there, our key players are young both in age and big time footy experience, baby steps are fine with me .
On the year overall, what can more can I say: a great year for our club. SG ball champions, many successful junior players in high level rep teams, Top 4 in both NRL and U20’s, the only club to do this. Just think back to last year, we have come so far. ‘A Basket case’ club no more hey Jarryd?
The one group I have to also praise are the fans. We get up to Sydney for most games but walking around my home town of Huskisson and at the pub for lunch today was special. There are so many old and young Parra supporters around NSW and Qld.Today I saw so many Parra t-shirts and Jersey’s, people have obviously been digging through cupboards since last night. Those I talked to just kept saying the same words how proud they are and how grateful they are to BA and the first grade players for sticking by the club last year and bringing our club back.
I look forward to Melbourne next week.If we win great, if we don’t we get experience and go to the other side of the draw. I would rather play Melbourne in Melbourne next week then Week 3 in a knock out game. Just imagine how many calls Ref Cameron Smith will get in Wk 3? No thanks, let that be another teams problem. I think we can beat Melbourne next week if we play super well but I am confident that if needed we can beat any of the other teams in the 8 the week after. So bring on Melbourne and win or loose we go to the other side of the draw and if we meet them again it will be in Sydney with massive homeground support on the big day that really matters. Bonus I say.
Whatever happens, no matter the score, my family will always support our club and players. 1 proud parra family right here.
You never fail to provide quality responses Shelley. How amazing that must be to see so many Eels jerseys, so far away. Good times.
Followed the Eels ever since the Newtown Jets left the comp, and pop decided to follow the Eels, so we did too.
So many games watched next to him, during the Kenny, Sterling, Price, Cronin, Ella, Grothe era, always copping “the claw” from him if something went wrong – he’d hold his hand up in the air, then grab on to whichever knee was closest to him 🙂
I was fortunate to see success not too long after, in 1986 when the grand final was the same month my older sister passed away at 17 years of age, and provided the first bit of joy for any of us since that night.
Obviously pop never got to see anymore premiership success before he left us in 2007, but I’ll be drinking a Tooheys new for him during every finals game we play this year, just as I did in ’09.
The “Claw” – what a great memory. And isn’t it tremendous that the Eels have given you moments of joy in times of pain. Thanks for sharing Col.
We also had “the Claw” in our house. A big thank you to Walter “Killer” Kawalski. You only had to make a claw with your hand and dad would contort into “Ygor” in an attempt to stop the imminent attack on his neck. Cumberland Oval, all three grades, supporters bus to away games……that feeling is returning as these guys are once again playing to win the comp for Parra not solely for the money. We’ve all lost loved one’s along the way but you can feel this year is a possibility. I would love to see a street parade again this year when we make the GF! Having the team of ’76 onstage at Westfield wouldn’t hurt either. A bit sad you have to buy a flight ticket to Melbourne a day before tickets go on sale.
Would love to see the club put on an “away game supporters bus” to the Melbourne semi final. A plane full of tickets reserved and a price that includes the flight, game ticket and a bus to and from Melbourne airport to AAMI Park.
The club said they hadn’t received any requests for buses or planes to take fans down. If they get inundated with calls or emails maybe they would.
More memories Tragic. This time, I reckon any parade would happen after the GF, and BA would keep the players routine as close to normal as possible. I’ve already booked my flights. Looking forward to the experience of footy in Melbourne.
It’s funny how fans pick their teams. I’m from Townsville, went to Brisbane for high school and then lived here ever since, yet people always wonder why parramatta?
My parents are both from England, and had no interest in league, yet every September holidays we came to the Gold Coast for a holiday and would stop in and visit my aunt and uncle for an afternoon on the way through. It happens that they always watched the league and it was the grand final that day. All I remember was that one team was blue and gold and the other team was blue and white and I liked the blue and gold colours more. I didnt know who won that game but I always remembered that team so a few years later when I started taking more interest in league I decided that parra were my team.
I don’t really remember them winning in 86, but I think my first real heartbreak was when we lost to the dogs in the prelim when we were winning comfortably with 10 to go only to lose it. Over the years when the cowboys came into the comp people asked if I would change teams, but it has never crossed my mind. Through thick and thin they will always be my team. Even though I have been to only a handful of games over the years, it still amazes me how many parra fans are out there. I was at the game last week against the broncos (and loving it) and in the area I was there were more parra fans than broncos fans!
It’s good to be back into finals contention and even though the job isn’t over yet, I think things are on the up and the window is starting to open….
Oh and Hindy was my favourite player to watch!!
I still can’t watch that pre-lim final against the Dogs. I never go near Fox Sports when they show that one.
Queensland Eels fans? It always looks and sounds great when the Eels play up there and the Parra chant starts. I want to experience that in person at least one time.
I’m in my late 30’s. I remember my first game at parra stadium. We beat the dragons. It was 1987. So I guess I jumped on board just as the golden era ended. I watched as many games as I could at Parra when I was a kid. There were a lot of lean times in the early 90’s. In 2001 I cried. I still can’t bring my self to watch any ‘highlights’ of that game. I’ve been in WA for the last 14 years, making sure my visits home include a home game for the eels. I was there in 09 and I would love to be there this year! The hard times make good times worthwhile. I’m not sure what I’ll do if I witness the boys win the big one. Whether it be this year or not. I’m still waiting, but after so long, surely my wait will end in the near future.
Great site by the way. Love it!
Thanks for the kind words about the site. All of the TCT crew are passionate Eels fans, just like our readers.
I wonder if the distance and living in a non-league state like WA makes the passion stronger? Maybe the passion of rugby league people in WA will make having a team there a reality in the future.
The future Eels title? I think it’s not too far away.
If we don’t win one between now and 2019 I will be shattered
No bold predictions, but we’ll give ourselves a better shot than we had in recent years.
Sixties? nostalgia inducing memories mate. How good they are!
Evidenced by the comments of so many heartfelt posts, which remind me I’m not alone in this joy. Nor was I on the reflective trips home from so many games that we’d lost over the years. I also remember games I attended which we won at Caltex field (Shark Park) in the 60’s and 70’s. It was like going on a holiday back then, leaving home mid morning to watch all three grades and getting home just in time to see my Nana watching Johnny Youngs “Young Talent Time” just before the Sunday night movie on the tele. It could take 40 minutes to get out of the car park next to the ground. A hard slog if we lost but I had 12 months to get over it and I’d be back again the following year.
How good is this? Go Parra!
Rowdy, those long trips in the 70s used to be by supporter bus for me back then. They were a story unto themselves!!! Quite an interesting collection of people would travel by that method – the trip home was often evidence for why that mode of transport was chosen by such supporters (if you catch my drift).
How good is this? Loving it!
Ahhh Sixties my friend, sitting in Shere, Surrey, ask the lady abt the movie made here in this town (Holiday type), and romanticism bouncing around and you’re read is the same.
Parra for me was 76, when I was 6! GF day our tv broke down literally before game started and we ran up road to our Papa’s and Nana’s only to see us close but not close enough.
Here we are, and am proud as ever and tbh had tears of pride last season when they played so tough and played for our club; have eradicated most of the past but not the feeling of disappointment.
We have a team and coaching staff that believe in Blue and Gold; that for me is the difference between those down years and now.
We will win next wk. BA has been superb and as you’ve said have faith…
Mate, I know you’ve had a ripper of a trip, but you’ll be returning to your next Eels memories very soon.
Back in 1976, it almost became too much for me. That grand final parade through Church St a couple of days before the big game resulted in me taking the Friday off from school. My nerves were so frayed and the excitement/anticipation was overwhelming. The loss was ultimately heartbreaking, but the pride I felt for the team quickly overcame the disappointment.
I certainly felt great pride in Parra’s resilience last year. BA’s strength in front of the barrage of media was also something to behold. We’re heading for better times.
Mate dad took us to Parra the week of GF in 76….i am sure we saw the team running through the streets..have vague memories of that unless my old man had us all on. I’d day you were in something like 3rd or 4th form back then….great memories.
BA deserves coach of the year hands down; and although he won’t care it’d be great recognition for him and his coaching staff.
Year 10 mate. My brother, Grant and I (DK was too young) caught the bus into Parramatta that night. It was one of the most incredible footy sights you’d ever see.
Great read 60’s. I remember being a kid watching 81 GF and feeling that we could accomplish the impossible and win. I remember thinking that the players from that era, as skilled and tough as they were, had belief in themselves and in their coach. Im getting the same feeling with this team, that they believe. Yes they can all play and yes they have a mental toughness about them. Most importantly though, they have a coach who believes in them, and the players have bought in. They are a team, brothers in arms who will stand toe to toe with anyone and fight for their teammates, for the fans, and for the coach. A team of champions with an unbreakable, unbeatable bond of brotherhood and belief.
I reckon you’ve nailed an important component of this team, Adam. The belief – in themselves, each other and the coaches. For mine it’s why we’ve won so many close matches this year.
My earliest memories of Parramatta were the eighties and my whole family snuggled together on the lounge under a blanket in front of the old bar heater that was always a sneeze away from being the cause of the house burning down.
Inevitably everyone would eventually be on their feet screaming “Go Grothe!” or “Run, Ella!!” and we’d drum the floor with our feet as we lay on our bellies to get closer to the old cathode ray.
Parramatta Eels have given me my best memories from childhood. We were always in the finals or thereabouts.
I hope my kids develop the same passion and pleasure for football that I’ve enjoyed all these years.
Rob, what great memories! Footy is about that passion too. The passion for playing the game (followed by skills, dedication and good coaching) is why these blokes made a career out of footy. The passion for our club is what keeps us hanging in during the tough times. I reckon your kids will know that through your own passion for the Eels.
Rob those bar heaters were great; first thing i bought when i moved to Hawkesbury yrs ago…..good memories.
Thanx for the memories Sixties, great read!!
Thanks mate.
In 81 I was on the Hill at the SCG, 82 I was at the club, thousands of Eels supporters and one Manly supporter who did not make half time. For 83 I was in my lounge room with the family downing throw downs.
Have you ever drunk them. Tooheys, 250 mls, only 2. Or 3 mouthfuls per stubby. I was drunk by half time.
Where will I be to see our 2017 GF win, at ANZ I would say
For me, it’s every grand final – the wins and the losses
76, 77 (x2), 81, 82, 83, 84, 86 – SCG
2001, 2009 – Homebush
Varying degrees of alcohol consumption, especially afterwards in 81!
The next one? Complete sobriety during the match.
Sixties that is a good thought. I no longer drink at games myself and the people I sit with are the same. Not that we are wowsers just that a clear head gives you better perspective on the game.
Same mate.
Great memories, Sixties. That photo of the 67 team brings back memories, must have been taken about the time Dick Thornett was dropped from the side for poor for, that was pretty controversial , dropping your marquee player
I was a bit too young to remember that, but given the existence of “team selectors” back then, and the political nature of footy clubs, it would have caused quite a stir.
I have just returned from a week down in Perisher with the family and we certainly made our presence known.
My 2 sons and I wore our jerseys to dinner every night (ignoring the tomato sauce stains obtained from the bolonaise on the 3rd night) much to the bemusement of the other patrons.
I can’t wait for the Storm game and win or loose, the fans, players and staff have everything to win and nothing to lose. The turnaround under BA is as exciting as it is spectacular!
Go you Eels!!!!
You champion JonBoy! Wear those colours mate.
Hi Sixties. As a long time reader of TCT I would like to commend you and your team for providing entertaining reading and detailed info on games each week.
My earliest memory of the Eels was the 76 grand final. Great memories came from the next decade as we all know.
The best thing to happen lately is Brad Arthur in my opinion. I believe he’ll get the job done, this year or next.
In Brad we Trust!
Cheers Ox. It’s an easy task for us to write about the footy team that we love, but the site wouldn’t exist without loyal readers.
I completely agree with you about BA, and a big part of what he brings to the club is not just his own dedication and football smarts, it’s the people that he’s brought into key roles in the organisation. It’s quite a team that’s taking the club forward.
I just noticed how many people reference the ’76 GF as their first real memory, not strange considering the magnitude of our FIRST grand final, but for me having followed Parra right through that list you put up Sixties starting in ’66. The 1975 season was the catalyst for our success over the next decade.
The former St George great, Norm “Sticks: Proven came to coach Parra for one year and took us from wooden spooners to semi finalists. It was the making of us as a tough talented footy team. Up until then we’d had some really great players like Ken “The Mayor”and Dick Thornett, Ron “thirsty” Lynch who was as skillful and teak tough as they come. Brian Hambly, Billy “Bullet” Raynor, Ken Hey, Bobby Bugden, and had been coached by Killer Ken Kearney also from Saints magic era. Well with all of that I reckon what “Sticks” brought was an attitude that no-one could take away after he left and was evidenced in the following two years and 3 GF’s which sadly we lost. But hey, players wanted to now come in numbers to play for Parra in the real hope that we were a chance of winning the big one!
Ray Higgs came in 76, Mick Cronin in 77 which made local juniors like Geoff Gerrard, Dennis Fitzgerald and the rah rah Ray Price better players. Imagine a young locals like Steve Ella and Brett Kenny arriving on the scene as 17 year old in 3rd grade along with a blond kid we’d bought from Wagga Wagga via the Newcastle region playing a couple of hours before those fellas and imports from Easts in the Bomber Johnny Peard, Jim Porter and Johnny Quayle. When Fitzy was able to seduce Big Artie to join his old mates from the broosters it’s little wonder his mate Bob O’reilly was convinced to go around for one last dance.
My apologies to the the other hardheads like John Baker (from the Magpies) how tough was he? Pound for pound the toughest front rower I ever saw in an era when frontrowers were real tough, not that they aren’t tough today. “Bake” was as mad as a cut snake and wouldn’t have pushed the scales to 13 stone ( ~ 83kgs) wringing wet! He and many others showed the courage and never say die attitude that Norm Proven was going to instill in our club and which he left a legacy for what came after.
1975 was a watershed year in the evolution of the Mighty Parramatta Eels. Thank you Norm Proven, I’m proud to see you on The Trophy with your little mate Arthur Summons. What you did at our club was a very good benchmark for the players in toughness as an attitude which I see plenty of in our current coach Brad Arthur.
Good read Rowdy. You are right about 1975 it was the beginning of the Dynasty. The final piece of the jigsaw was adding Jack Gibson for the 1981 season.
Well said Rowdy. In trying to find a comparison to this year (for supporters) I referenced the 1975 season as my parallel experience. However, I didn’t provide that praise of Provan that you detailed.
When we spoke to the Bear, and I think he said this on camera to us, Provan had an incredible impact on the players. He could still compete with the players in the fitness work, which made them realise how hard they needed to train to achieve success. After all, here was a man who was central to the Dragons record run of premierships. He took a team of players who were wooden spooners the previous year, into the finals. There was a strong talent base there – he just tapped into it in a way that previous coaches had not.