THE RED V NOSTALGIA THREAD

[baggygreen man]

Photo is at Kogarah.

Given some drinking stories you hear about Billy Smith, I am surprised that any alcohol made it to the place he was supposed to deliver it to.

Akin to making Dracula manager of the blood bank.
Lets hear some of those drinking stories @Trifili13.

 

[baggygreen man]

Johnny Raper was also a larrikin, so when he was accused of being 'the man in the bowler hat' nude walker in northern England on the '67/68 Kangaroo tour, most would have believed it. But for the great man's reputation at the time the event was found to be a case of mistaken identity.
Nevertheless he milked the incident for all it was worth, wearing the very English bowler hat for various promos and his autobiography. (see below)


Jeez I'd love to read that book. Wonder if I can get the ebook version online.

 

[shazam]

Back in the Johnny Raper era my father use to come down to Sydney from the bush for a bit of fun !!!
He would go to Checkers night club at the Cross & drink with a lot of footballers
His one story was Raper would get the telegram guy to sing out telegram for Mr Raper so everyone would know he was there

 

[Saints Forever]

For some of our more esteemed posters on here - can you please provide an insight on to what the feeling was like at the time about the merger?

For context, I'm 32, so whilst I have some small memories of before the merger, my first real memories are of the 99 grand final. I would love an insight into that time period. I've asked my Father (who is also a Die Hard Dragon), I'm also interested in some others' thoughts as well.

Is anyone here from the Illawarra side of the merger?

It was like suffering a death in the family

 

[Trifili13]

Not sure if this is an urban myth buy older forumites might be able to confirm but there are stories of Raper turning up to games at the SCG on a Saturday straight from a night out the previous night and still turn in man of the match performances.

 

[blue bags]

Not sure if this is an urban myth buy older forumites might be able to confirm but there are stories of Raper turning up to games at the SCG on a Saturday straight from a night out the previous night and still turn in man of the match performances.

Yes it's true. Very common in those days
Johnny was extremely fit
He would jog to work. Jog back home
Jog to training. Jog back home

 

[baggygreen man]

Not sure if this is an urban myth buy older forumites might be able to confirm but there are stories of Raper turning up to games at the SCG on a Saturday straight from a night out the previous night and still turn in man of the match performances.

I say true as I have heard it from respected league identities. Seems he either did not get hangovers or learned to ignore them and also prided himself on being the fittest player in the fittest team, to the point of fanaticism, often training alone and pumping iron after the others had left.

 

[baggygreen man]

Such was Johnny Raper’s immense contribution to Australian Rugby League that his family were offered a state funeral when he passed two years ago.
Was there ever a better player to lace on a pair of footy boots than Johnny Raper and the ironic fact is he may have been lost to the Saints had not Frank Facer poached him from Newtown before he had gained his now legendary status.

The great man had too many accolades and awards to mention but perhaps his performance in the second Test of the 1963 tour of England best sums up his Immortal status. Played at Swinton in Greater Manchester on a bitterly cold November 9 the match became known as the 'Swinton Massacre' due mainly to Johnny Raper who had a major hand in the first seven tries in the opening 25-minute routing and he gave the final pass in four of them. Noel Kelly said 'Chook was unstoppable that day' and several former players said it was the 'best 80 mins of foot ball ever by a single player'.

The only footage I found of the match