Linnane and Hughes led St Johns first premiership

Two future Sydney first graders were part of St John's historic first premiership in Dubbo Junior Rugby League in 1972. The new club downed Westside 9-3.

Steve Linnane played 100 games with St George after starting his career in lower grades at Souths and finished up with Newcastle after notching up another 18 NRL appearances.

“Chris Hughes was man of the match and destined for a big future in the game” according to Les See, the local JRL correspondent. He was right, the classy half played back-up to the great Steve ‘Turvey’ Mortimer at Canterbury in 1982.

These were pioneers in a fledgling club that had grown out of De La Salle juniors when the school became co-educational in 1989.

Lindane and Hughes were forerunners with older player Martin Meredith (14s) headed for a long career at Manly and with Halifax, England from 1978.

So how did this club that now boasts nearly forty teams and over 400 girls and boys from mod league through league tag and across all age groups spring into being?

The seeds were sown at a meeting in February 1972 when a gathering of De La Salle Brothers, parents and interested people met at St John’s College in Fitzroy St. Little did they know they were on the cusp of a dynasty that would boast two NSW State of Origin stars in the club’s Jubilee.

The late Dubbo City Council General Manager Tony Kelly was voted in as President at the inaugural meeting with Brothers Theodore and Paul and Peter Crowley as deputies.

Brother Malachy, the College’s new Principal, Dan O’Sullivan and Bob Whitney were elected Patrons.

Peter Hughes, Chris’s dad was secretary and with wife Ann was to bring five youngsters through the ranks.

CYMS first grade prop Mick Wilson took on the treasurer's role and was still serving the club through to third generation when he died suddenly two years ago.

Coaches and managers were selected in a secret ballot – Tony Linnane, John Meredith, Mick Wilson, Neil Dodd, Hugh Hopkins, Noel Baker, Tom Nelson, Kevin Walkom and Brian McMahon.

An interesting fact – the famous Mick Simmons Sports Store in Sydney supplied seven sets of football guernseys at a total cost of $684!

In the early days teachers, including the De La Salle Brothers, former players and parents pitched in to ensure the boys were well looked after and a Ladies Auxiliary made up of mothers, sisters, grandmothers and friends catered at canteen and other fund-raising events.

Betty Carroll, Betty Walkom, Marcia Nelson and Margaret Pilon were amongst the early names to put up their hands to help the club go forward.

Players of note

Martin Meredith was destined to reach the top. His dad John was a CYMS pioneer and Marty represented De La Salle and led St John’s in 14s and 16s when the new club was formed. He was a long-serving Manly Sea Eagle who won an English Challenge Cup. His last 30-40 years have been spent as a Manly then NSWRL and NRL Development Manager.

Dean Pay was St John’s JRL’s first international. After he captained Macquarie Juniors to a Group 11 premiership in 1988, the tough forward was recruited by Parramatta and then Canterbury.

Andrew Ryan’s toughness and determination to get the most out of his ability led to selection in Combined Catholic Colleges and junior league rep teams before he followed a similar path to Dean. His crowning glory must surely have been Australian Test selection but other highlights include selection for State of Origin, Captaining NSW Country Origin to a win over City here at Apex Oval and leading Canterbury to the 2004 NRL Premiership.

Isaah Yeo and Matt Burton. Their ages are different; their achievements very similar – premiership with Penrith and State of Origin representatives.

Many have succeeded in Sydney and the NRL – Steve Linnane, Chris Hughes, Bernard Wilson, Justin Yeo, Brandon Costin, Brett Patterson, Steven Yeo, Daniel Conn, Matt Toshack, James Harvey, Billy Greentree as well as Beau Robinson, wjo played for the Wallabies.

Today many former players head the line-up of coaches and those who wore the St John’s guernseys in 1972 sit proudly on the sidelines as grandchildren run out every weekend.