Rugby League, Rugby League, nothing but Rugby League

An absolute goldmine of Rugby League stories, pictures, memories, information and just plain fun from the Good Old Days. If you visit the index page you will find the subjects listed with latest updates. Take your time, grab a coffee or a beer / beers and feast yourself on the content, its totally free and it's fun

QUIGS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VISIT THE INDEX PAGE TO FIND YOUR WAY AROUND THE GROUND - if you get lost see a copper.

Like to have a punt on the League - or any other sport - well now you can

website designed and created by
STUDIOQUIGS Emu Park(Q)(C) 2005 to 2008

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This website is dedicated to the memories of the rugby league supporters who were part of the era of the biff. Memories of famous clashes that were held at the Sydney cricket Ground, Lang Park, Wembley Stadium, and all the other famous pitches. Memories of Rugby League players, Harry Bath, Dud Beattie, Steve Kneen, Dave Cooper, Arthur Beetson, Les Boyd, Les Davidson, Peter Diamond, John Donnelly, Bumper Farrell, Clive Churchill, Nev Hornery, Norm Provan, Ted Goodwin, Dick Thornett, Ken Thornett, Ray Higgs, Craig Young, Keith Holman, Ken Irvine, Greg Dowling, Noel Kelly, Wally Lewis, Ray Price, Steve Rogers, Dane Sorensen, Graham Eadie, Billy Boston, Peter sterling, David Gillespie, Kurt Sorensen, Ken Irvine, Norm Provan, Eric Simms, Roger Millward, Brian McTigue, Steve Kneen, Ron Coote, Mark Graham, Kevin Tamati, Mick Cronin, Geoff Robinson, john O'neill, George Piggins, Terry Randall, Tom Raudonikis, Rod Reddy, Brian Poppa Clay, Terry Randall, Johnny Raper, Reg Gasnier, Graeme Langlands, Steve Roach, Kevin Ryan, John Sattler, Billy Smith, or poms like Vince Karalius, Tommy Bishop, Sid hynes, Cliff Watson, Mal Reilly, John Atkinson, Derek Turner, Nev Hornery, Jim Mills, Roger Millward, Brian McTigue. Referees like Col Pearce, Keith Page, Laurie Bruyers and Darcey Lawler, and many more, all of whom etched their names in rugby league folklore. Late inclusions to the Hardman list are Dennis Hartley, Mike Coulman, Ken Thornett, Andy Gregory, Ellery Hanley, Dick Thornett, Ted Goodwin, Keith Holman, Brian Bevan, Edouard Posinett, Elie Brouse, Puig Aubert, Billy Boston, Mark Broadhurst,and Gavin Miller.The Players were members of clubs like balmain, also known as tigers, tiges, brisbane, also known as brisbane broncos, canterbury bankstown, also known as canterbury, berries, cronulla, also known as cronulla sutherland, cronulla sharks, gold coast, newcastle knights, newcastle, north sydney, also known as bears, manly warringah, also known as manly sea eagles, penrith, also known as penrith panthers, parramatta, also known as parra, eels, western suburbs, also known as wests, west, magpies, newtown, also known as bluebags, jets, eastern suburbs, also known as roosters, easts, St George, also known as Saint George, saints, dragons, south sydney, also known as souths, rabbitohs, rabbits, illawarra, also known as steelers, canberra. The major English Rugby League clubs were, St Helens, Warrington, Widnes, swinton, Wigan, Hull, Hull Kingston Rovers, Bradford , Halifax, Hull, Leeds, Leigh, Oldham, Rochdale Hornets. Can you remember such memorable matches as the Swinton massacre, the battle of leeds, the battle of brisbane, the 1970 world cup final, the 1973 Grand Final, 1977 grand final replay, and other great Rugby League Grand Finals. In Favorite Moments No 10 Eddie Gordo mentions the following, Brian Johnson, Des Drummond, Paul Cullen, Joe Ropati, David Lyon, John Woods, Martin Crompton, Les Boyd, Kevin Tamati, Tony Humphries, Bob Jackson, Ronnie Duane, Billy McGinty, new Years day punchup, wilderspool, Kevin Allett, Tony Barrow, world war three, Adrian Shelford, Andy Goodway, Paul Cullen, John Woods,Steve Hampson, syd Hynes, and stones bitter. In Favorite Moments No 11 and 12 Gary Kitchen mentions Patrick Stewart, Rodney Emmott, Headingley, Oliver Reed, Strand Palace Hotel, Wallace Arnold Coach, Mary Millington, Kevin Dick, and the Queens Wood Club. In Favorite Moment No 13 Paul Saint of Hull mentions, Hull kingston Rovers, Zetland Arms, Colin Hutton, Gavin Miller, John Dorahay, Clayton Friend, and Mark Broadhurst. In Favorite Moments 14 Greg Milner pays tribute to James Lowes, mentions brian carney, and Brian Smith. Quigs with his three stories in Favorite Moments has call to mention and recall the Narooma Devils, the Dalmeny Deviates, being a Dalmeny Deviate himself, Group 16 Rugby League, the Narooma Bowling Club, Reg Nolte, Bega radio, the towns of bega, tathra, and eden. The watering hole of Hylands Hotel, and now called the Hylands Tavern. Favorite Moments No 4 has a great article on Jack Fairbanks, from Marshall Wornop, of Alicante, Spain. In Favorite Moments No 5 Martin King, from Singapore, recalls an incident when Alan Davies, replaced Billy Boston, in an Oldham Wigan clash at Central Park. Davies laid out Cynedd Williams, Len Killen, Len Killeen and others. Favorite Moments No6 has entries from Mick Carr, Select Paving, Sandshouse Steve, all about Ronnie Gibbs, aka Rambo Ronnie Gibbs, and his involvmente with Phil Edens, Gary Pearce and the BBC television. In Favorite Moments No 7 Quigs recalls his visit to Odsal Stadium and the hospitality of Mr Jack Bates, the chairman, and the Bradford Club Members. He also mentions incidents involving, 1954 Challenge Cup Replay, Channel Nine, Australian TV, sterlo, vautin, RLW, and the Rugby League Week cartoonist Scott Rigley singing Rolf Harris two little boys. In Favorite Moments No8, Jim Stringer a Rochdale Hornets fan recalls the time former Manly fullback aussie Mark Harrigan decked a rampaging Blackpool Borough Prop in a game at Borough Park earning Harrigan eternal history in the Hornetes folklore. In Favorite Moments No 9, Martin King also recalls an incidet involving Craig Richard, Kelvin Skirt, Robin Whittled and Hanley. They are all great reading. In 'Yours Stories' Quigs mentions his meeting with Roger Millward and Jack Thurgood, in a Hotel Opposite where the Queen parks her stagecoaches in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. The discussion inolved many subjects ranging from Rugby League week supporters tour, the transfer ban, an experienced front rower from the Emu Park Reserve Grade in Central Queensland who happens to be a shark supporter. Quigs has included his memories of the Sharks first ever appearance at the SCG. The game was remembered by Ray Corcoran scoring two tries late in the game. W. G. Buckley spoke in glowing terms about this game. Quigs also mentions a game he watched when St George, Fijian League star, Apisia Toga broke his leg. In the Interviews No3 Legendary Australian TV identity Ray Martin speaks about his involvement with the South Sydney rugby League. The interview was by David Hundt of the Queenslanders for South Sydney and is off the QforSS webiste. Ray speaks about his dad growing up in Maroubra, old players such as Mario Fenech, Jack Rayner, Ian Moir, Hazem El-Masri, benny Elias, Clive Churchill, Kevin Longbottom, Eric Simms, jim Lisle. Ray Martin is quoted as saying Craig Coleman - he was a terrific, tough little roustabout of a player. Spud Carroll was up there too - he was the last really great player. Terry Fahey of course. But Mario was the giant of the modern era. I can understand the reasons for him leaving. It's sad when local boys have to do that. It makes you cry sometimes to see Brathan Anasta and Craig Wing run around for the opposition. Ray remembers the time a group of aboriginal Ladies gave it to Les Davidson at Redfern Oval when he dropped a ball in a close Souths victory over Manly. Ray also mentions Paul Langmack, Bryan Fletcher, Paul Stringer, North Queensland, Penrith, Canberra, and Brett Kearney. South Sydney has a strong aboriginal following from the redfern area of inner Sydney. Many indigenous players have made the ranks of South Sydney and many other clubs through out the NRL and the ARL.. The interview with Graeme Changa Langlands, from Saints Immortals, he mentions great players such as Brad Fittler,Ken Irvine, Barry Beath, Paul Mills, Frank Hyde, Frank Facer, bullfrog Moore, and ovals such as Scarborough Park, Jubilee Oval. Changa also talks about the famous white boots from adidas. In the interview with John Sattler he mentions some great players and places such as, Gunnedah, Paul Saite, Bernie Purcell, Kurri Kurri, Newcastle, Maitland, Charlie Gibson, George Hanson, Andrew Johns, Cessnock, George Arubana, Luke Branighan, Ray Branighan, Arthur Branighan, Bill Sweeny, Ian Walsh, Des Morris, Ron McAuliffe. Satts talks about his time in hotels at Redcliffe and with Carlton United, Gladstone, the Young Australian Hotel, the Queens Hotel, Bribie Island, the Helensvale Tavern, and living at Southport. A great story was sent in by Mike Higgison about the 1990 Brisbane Grand final between Valleys and Norths, players mentioned include Paul Dinte, Troy Evans, Bill Holmes, Tony Catton, Neil Whartan, Peter Shields, Brad Foster, Scott McKay, Peter Elmore, Frank Rolls, Peter Coyne. Also mentioned in Higgisons article are Rod Tiley, Bruce Warwick, Alan Thomas and Referee David Manson. The Era has received a great story from Jim Duffy of Rockhampton about his trip to Sydney to watch Balmains last game at Liechardt oval. Jim in company with Russell Carson and his dad Danny Duffy drove from Rockhampton to Sydney and return, a distance of over 4,000km. Dan, Duffman and Carso, must be the most dedicated Tigers supporters in League. The Era received a great email from Lyle Beaton who suggested the inclusion of the great French 2nd row pairing of Edouard Ponsinet and Elie Brousse. It was through Lyle's suggestion the the Era unearthed information on Puig Aubert, the french rugby league fullback, Bob Samatan, the french coach. Duncan Hall and Edouard Ponsinet involvement in the battle of the boulevard. Others whoose names as a result of Lyles email are Jean Dop, Comes, Merquey, Contrastin, Crespo, Johnny Bliss, Paul Bartoletti, Jim Mathers, Cyril Connell, Vic Hey, Wally O'Connell, Brian Davies, Tom McMahon, Dally Messenger, Rene Duffort, Denis Donoghue, Holman, Flannery, Pidding, Contrastin, Calixte. In the picture gallery the Ear has obtained a great pic of the 1951 French Rugby League world champions and their spectacular return to Marseilles. We at the Era are proud to now be a part of the irish Amatuer league, with our offically supporting the East Coast Eagles in the Lenister Conference of the Irish Rugby League. The other two conferences are Munster and Ulster. The Eagles play in Dublin along with other clubs, Dublin Blues, Dublin City Exiles, Churstown Warrior, North Kildare Nights, and the Cork Bulls. The East Coast Eagles homeground is Monkstown FC, Sydney Parade, on the East coast of Dublin Bay. The East coast Eagles are sponsored by theDown Under Bar, Major Tom's, St Stephens Green Shopping Centre, Dublin, the only Aussie bar in Dublin. The Eagles boast players of the calibre of Scott Wilson, Wayne Comerford, Jeremy Kemp, Ritchie Whittaker, Pete Cunningham, Dave Hancock, and Carl de Chenu. The warrington wires faithful have sent stories about Mike Nicholas. This website was created and designed by jeff Quigley, also known as quigs, of studioquigs fame..Quigs also included in the favorite moments the Ahern family Reunion which was held in the Park in September 1989. The highlight of the event was the Ahern family challenge rugby league match which include 23 sons of the brothers Gordon, Bill, Fred, Ron Clarry, and John Ahern. The sons are from Bloomsbury, sarina, Rockhampton, Tambo and Dysart. The game featured referee Barry Grasshopper Gomersall assisted by David Hill and Peter Connell. The scorers were Jan Slotosch, simon guest, kirk doak, shawn doak, kent svendsen, gavin tydd. It ranks with the best State of Origin Clashes at the SCG or Lang Park. Emu Park non playing Coach Steve Kiwi Anderson, the Emu Park Publican at the Pine Beach Hotel made his comeback in this game. The preliminary game was between the Rockhampton Correctional Centre and Australian Meat Holdings. The players retired to the Piney for after game drinks. Gordon ahern mentioned that his grandfather had the last bare knuckle fight on emu park beach against bare knuckle fighter Joe McCallum. The game made the Guiness book of records. The era received a great song from Perry Keyes and the Stolen Holdens called Johns Sattlers broken jaw. It was organized by Paul Craven aka ica. Perry Keyes and the Stolen Holdens often appear at the Warren View Hotel, Enmore. Team Era is proud to promote the Larrikans of League Tour - The Larrikans are Steve Roach, Noel Cleal and Gary Freeman and are friends of Era of the Biff Rugby League - Creative Stars for International Sporting Tour with Steve Blocker Roach, Noel Crusher Cleal, Garry Wizz Freeman. You will stay at the following luxurious hotels York Novotel, London Hilton Olympia, Headingley Lodge, Leeds, The George, Huddersfield, Dublin Blooms, Novotel Manchester West. Creative Stars are an Australian Company located at Loftus Sydney. Creative Stars is lead by former referee Greg McCullam. Tony Lewis and Greg Willis of the Great western suburbs magpies website Kelly's Kids, a site honouring Noel Kelly, have sent some great pics to team era. there are some pics of Neville Hornery, Pat Hundy, and Maurie Raper. Also of Don Graham, Noel Kelly, Bill Keato, and Ron Watson, at the Pratten Park reunion 2003. Team era received a great story from Paul Schmalz of waterloo sydney, about legendary wests toughman Peter Diamond. Read some stories on the Memories of Dennis Donoghue, Old Souths toughman. The Era of the Biff has nothing to do with Channel Nine Footy Show or the Reg reagan Character. received from the latest issue of Harry Edgar Rugby League Journal, the one and only Vince Karalius reflects on how he got his hardman reputation that led to the Wild Bull of the Pampas nickname.