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Player or fan, he’s an Eel for life
Melissa Yeo, Parramatta Advertiser
February 15, 2017 10:39am
JERSEYS may fade and emblems may change, but the spirit of the blue and gold remains the same for Matthew Johnston.
The 80-year-old is a fanatical supporter, attending every home game and a regular at club reunions with a sense of competition that’s hard to shake.
“There’s only one real eel that I’m concerned with,” the life-member of the club said.
“The winning eel. You’ve always got to have a winning team.”
Matt Johnston pictured third from left in centre row, captained the third grade team to win the first title for the club in 1964.
Riverstone-raised he joined the Parramatta Eels as a 19-year-old in 1955 going on to captain the third grade side for the club’s first title in 1964.
According to Johnston, the secret of the club’s success has always been it’s local talent.
“There was always a sprinkling of Parramatta juniors who moved up the ranks,” he recalled.
“You had a few imports but the nucleus of the side must be truly Parramatta.”
Contrary to the modern tendency of players to ebb and flow across clubs and codes, Johnston stuck it out at the eels for ten years, but has been active with the club ever since.
The players he took the field with 60 years ago stuck around as some of Matt Johnston’s best mates. Picture: Phil Rogers.
“That’s how it was in rubgy league, you get to know people and then you just stick with them,” he said.
“Now it’s much more professional and driven by money — it used to be that if you got a team together you could bring out the best in each other, it was like all for one and one for all.”
His Constitution Hill home is filled with old mementos — team photos, jerseys and newspaper clippings — a physical reminder of the 62-year connection with the club.
And though the old legs might not run like they used to, there’s no regrets.
“I’ve had both hips done and a knew, but time over again I’d still play football,” he said.
“The people you meet, the guys you grow up with, they’re with you for life.”
Johnston has a plethora of jerseys and memorabilia dating back to his debut in 1955.
A key member of the Blue and Gold Alliance he regularly checks in with other former players and long serving members to continue the legacy of the club.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Club’s entry into what was then the premier NSWRL competition in 1947.
The Eels will hold the Blue and Gold Army Festival from 3.30pm at Bella Vista Park on Sunday.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...e/news-story/d4387e65971ae30d9bae5f0dce88410c
