Story from an outdated RL website 11/05/2004
Ken Irvine's Brilliance
The completion of the Harbour Bridge signalled a decline
in the working class population, and Rugby Union grew with the
influx of 'toffs' in the area.
Norths suffered as a result, but their junior ranks recieved
a major boost in 1958 when Mosman sprinter Ken Irvine ditched
plans to trial for the 1960 Olympics, and turned Rugby League.
Irvine was a sensation for the Bears (as they were now known),
and put in 12 years of loyal service for the bears, before spending
his twilight seasons with Manly.
In 16 seasons, Irvine amassed a current premiership record of
212 tries from 236 games.
This is almost an amazing 1 try per match!
He bettered this playing for NSW, scoring 28 tries from just
23 games, but his crowning achievement must surely be the 33
tries he scored in 31 tests, better than 1 try in every test!
Ken Irvine joined Norths during a period which threatened to
see them challenge for the premiership.
They won both lower grade grand finals in 1959, and Irvine was
the leading tryscorer in the premiership with 19 tries.
Sadly, premiership success was to avoid him.
In 1969, as captain, he led the side in a walk off the field
during a game against Canterbury!
Irvine's career repersents a highlight not only to Norths,
but to the sport as a whole.
The great man, sadly, died of leukemia in 1991, aged 50.
Appears in the following pages ....P82_Ken IRVINE
Date of posting ... 11-May-2004
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