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The Blue and Gold Alliance Annual Reunion is the major event on the calendar for former graded Eels players and officials. A measure of the growth and importance of the reunion is its extension to a weekend of activities.
Saturday kicked off with the official luncheon in Jacks Bar and Grill inside Parra Leagues Club. The Eels provide funding for the BGA and this event, whilst Parra Leagues are proud sponsors.
Every year, the reunion honours a specific group and their achievement. This year they celebrated the 35 year anniversary of the Eels team which won 1988 Presidents Cup title.
A photo of the Presidents Cup fellas in Jacks Bar & Grill
Team leaders David Danes and Rod Collins were interviewed by BGA Chairman Bill Richards about their memories of that year, their coach Bob O’Reilly, and of course the Grand Final itself. Incidentally, their victory meant that they were the very first team to win a premiership on what was then the brand new Sydney Football Stadium. Footage from the match was shown on the big screen throughout the function.
Outside of any speeches and interviews, the luncheon was an opportunity for former players and staff from across the decades to catch up over a drink and a feed. Some were attending for the first time. Others were seeing team mates that they hadn’t seen for years. Stories were shared, and probably embellished. Laughs were loud. Smiles found everywhere.
Troy Campbell joins me for a chat
Celebrations continued on Sunday with a brunch in Eels Lane, followed by a lap of honour around CommBank Stadium. Fortunately the Eels NRL team put the icing on the cake by winning their clash with the Dragons.
A number of former players that couldn’t attend on Saturday were able to be there on day two. There were some big names in that group of Sunday arrivals, including Ray Price, Steve Ella, David Liddiard, Michael Vella and Barry “Bowser” Rushworth.
Ray Price, Barry Rushworth and Bill Richards
The informal outdoor gathering in Eels Lane saw a number of fans mingling with the stars of yesteryear, and it was terrific to see the players from different eras getting to know each other.
Supporters can get behind the Blue and Gold Alliance, which is a not for profit organisation, by purchasing merchandise such as polos, jackets, hoodies, singlets, shorts, bucket hats and bags. The gear looks great and it helps the BGA in their important role of assisting former players and staff in addition to keeping them all connected. You can find their website in this link.
Businesses can also get involved with the BGA through sponsorships. Bill Richards would be very pleased to discuss partnering with the organisation.
Fitzy with his recently received Premiership ring
Weekends like this involve countless hours of planning, and ultimately the hard work of staffing aspects such as setting up, checking people in and even distributing passes and tickets. There were two days of events, accommodation assistance, and daily logistics to be taken care of. The BGA Committee and Mel Brazzill and Kristi Bell from the Eels deserve congratulations for a job well done.
The Cumberland Throw were proud to be part of the reunion. At the luncheon, Forty20 was busy taking photos for the BGA, whilst Sixties was working the microphone as he caught up with a cracking group of former players and officials for chats that we could share via The Tip Sheet podcast. Our Sunday involvement was less formal as we mingled and grabbed some photos that we could share here.
With many thanks to the former players, we can share some unofficial photos in addition to these recorded chats.
Our podcast kicks off with the youngest player in attendance as Joel Reddy has a sprawling chat with Sixties. A lower grade crowd favourite from yesteryear and long range try scoring machine in Giulio Pomponio then jumps in before rugged backrower Chris King has a yarn. Rod Collins, captain of the 1988 Presidents Cup premiership team, is up next with Troy Campbell following him up. Bill Richards, Eels five-eighth from the 1960s and BGA chairman is the penultimate guest before the podcast closes out with Denis Fitzgerald, a man who experienced success as both an Eels player and an administrator.
We hope you enjoy what we are able to share.
For any BGA members reading this, especially those who attended the reunion weekend, a full gallery of photos has been forwarded to the Blue and Gold Alliance.
The Cumberland Throw
Joel Reddy
Giulio Pomponio
David Liddiard, Troy Campbell, Ray Price and Barry Rushworth
Bill Richards and Steve Ella
Chris King, Peter Johnston and Troy Campbell
The BGA merchandise looks great.
Wonderful article and Podcast Sixties. Sounds like BGA will only get bigger from this point. What a fabulous interview with Giulio Pomponio. Certainly a crowd favourite back in the 70’s and absolutely no doubt he would have been one of the all time greats had it not been for injury. I hope this does not embarrass him but back in the day, my mates and I would sit near a girl supporters group who had a giant banner with “Terry’s Terrors” emblazoned on it. The girls made up songs for most of the players and especially for opposition teams using their club songs but changing the lyrics such as “Manly Waringah, Fultons a stinker…etc…” Giulio didn’t miss out and had his own song (that he will have no idea about) that they made up to the tune of “Julie Anne” by Kenny. they changed the lyrics to be “GGGGGGGGiulio Pomponio and he runs and he runs, runs away, and he scores a try coz he’s such a great guy, we love Giulio…GGGGGGGGiulio Pomponio….” etc etc I hope the girls may make a very rare comment for Giulio if they see this. Giulio is right about the crowds at Cumberland then. We would get to the ground around 10:00 am, have our cardboard season pass hole punched by the gate keeper and then race around to get a seat in the Grandstand to sit near to Jim Porter’s Aunty, who was great fun to sit near. What wonderful days they were. A sea of streamers when the players ran out while eating “peanuts in the shell or sugar coated, 20 cents”, buying a doubles card and eating all your pre made sandwiches by 11:00 am. Thanks for the memories Giulio. You scored more long distance tries than anyone I can remember and I probably played touch footy against you at some stage.
Wait for the chorus….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkchPy8dlGM
I was trying to remember the song. I needed this clip for reference. Cheers mate. Hopefully the girls do see this and send a message for Giulio.
Hey Sixties! So all this time I have been reading your TCT articles unaware that I knew you from our Terrys Terrors days.
Our banner was stolen (I think at the 1977 grand final v St George) we weren’t allowed to cover the advertising at the SCG so placed it over the railing in one of the stands. When we went to pick it up after the game someone had taken it
We made a replacement in time for the replay the following week…. but alas it did us no good
Thanks for replying Narelle. No you didn’t know me from those days though I was around then. It’s Parramatta Tragic that you’d know. The banners were a big deal back then
Cheers Tragic. I had be off those cardboard season tickets and was probably racing against you in the dash to the grandstand to lay down the blankets on the seats to reserve seats for the family.
The grand old days.
Hey
One of the original Terrys Terrors girls here. Now residing in Perth but still a parochial Parra fan
Wonderful to hear from you Narelle. You made a lot of us laugh and we all cried in 1976 and 1977. I hope you remember all your songs! Sixties may want to interview you and the girls to record your songs your posterity! You would make excellent guests at the next BGA player gathering to do a set and much better and more relevant than the Spice Girls.
I think you nicknamed Mick Pattison “spew” after an onfield incident 🙂
I went along to Terry Fearnley’s funeral as a mark of respect for the great years he gave to everyone and there was a group of of very good looking women in the overflow area just outside the Church which I thought may be you girls?
Next year the plan is for a massive Back to Parra day with the goal to get as many former Eels players and staff together on the one day as they can. Will be a big task but the BGA Committee and Bill are dedicated people.
Thanks again for checking in!