Old Boys christen new Knights legion - 13/03/2004,  Newcastle Herald
THE Knights' Old Boys took pride of place at the club's season launch at Western Suburbs Leagues Club last week, when Newcastle's original first-grade team presented jerseys to this year's senior squad. Kiwis Tea Ropati and George Mann could not make the trip down under for the season launch and forwards Mike ``Rowdy" McKiernan and David Thorne were late withdrawals. McKiernan was working at Kempsey and Thorne, a merchant seaman, was working on oil rigs off the coast of Darwin. For the sake of the jersey presentation, 1988 originals Steve Fulmer, Robbie McCormack, Marc Glanville and Ashley Gordon who all still live in Newcastle filled in for Ropati, Mann, McKiernan and Thorne. McCormack and Fulmer made their senior debuts in round two against Wests, when the Knights opened their account with a 20-16 win over the Magpies at Campbelltown, and Glanville and Gordon followed shortly after. Fulmer is an entrepreneur and retired milkman and McCormack operates his own scaffolding company, employing former Knights players including Paul Marquet and Tony Herman. Gordon works in marketing and youth counselling and Glanville, a former real estate agent, is the business development manager at Turnbull Hill Lawyers. If you ever wondered what happened to the Knights originals, here is a rundown on where they are now: 

Glenn Frendo: Works in information technology at NIB Health Funds, where he has been employed since moving to Newcastle in 1988; lives in Newcastle. 
Rod Whittaker: Coalminer; lives in Cessnock. 
Gavin Hanrahan: Solicitor and partner with Turnbull Hill Lawyers, Charlestown; lives in Newcastle. 
Glenn Miller: Self-employed carpenter, plumber and developer; lives in Newcastle. 
Brian Quinton: Self-employed painter-decorator; lives on the Gold Coast. 
Rob Tew: Registered property valuer; lives in Newcastle. 
Steve Walters: Truck driver; lives at Caves Beach. 
Sam Stewart (c): Owns and operates graffiti-removal company; lives on the Gold Coast. 
Mike McKiernan: Bricklayer; lives in Newcastle. 
David Boyd: Finance broker; lives on the Gold Coast. 
David Thorne: Merchant seaman; lives at Noraville. 
Tony Townsend: Police Superintendent at Raymond Terrace; lives in Newcastle. 
Tony Butterfield: President Rugby League Professionals' Association; lives in Newcastle. 
Peter Malcolm: Restaurateur; lives at Inverell. 
Scott Carter: Waterside worker at Port Kembla; lives in Wollongong. 
Tea Ropati: Retired; living in New Zealand. 
George Mann: Retired; living in London. 

Newcastle Herald Knights of the Decade To celebrate the Knights 10th season, the Newcastle Herald invited readers to try and match the team picked by a 10 member selection panel.  The Knights of the Decade competition attracted more than 3000 entries, prizes were offered. The team was to be coached by Malcolm Reilly. The Captain named was Michael Hagan, who picked in the centres to allow the Johns brothers their places in the half and five eight positions.

Dream Team of the first ten years - Hagans selection in the centres along side Ainscough meant John Schuster was forced out to the wing, a position he played in his first years at the knights, while crowd favourite Ashley Gordon was chosen on the other flank.  Ever judge picked Andrew Johns at half, Glanville at lock with a front row of Harragon, Robbie McCormack and Mark Sargent.  O'Davis, Ainscough and Andrew Johns, Muir, Harragon, Sargent and Brad Godden played for Australia while wearing Newcastles colours and fresh reserves Tony Kemp and Sam Stewart represented New Zealand, Schuster came to Newcastle from New Zealands All Blacks rugby union team.  Five of the other six members of the team have played State of origin football.  Malcolm Reilly received seven of the 10 judges votes to coach the Knights, with David Waite polling the other three.

Full back - Robbie O'Davis,  Wingers - Ashley Gordan and John Schuster Centres - Jamie Ainscough and Michael Hagan Five Eighth - Matthew Johns,  Halfback - Andrew Johns Lock - Marc Glanville,  Second Rowers - Tony Butterfield and Adam Muir Hooker - Robbie McCormack,  Front Rowers Mark Sargent and Paul Harragon Reserves -  Tony Kemp, Brad Godden,  Sam Stewart, Paul Marquet Coach - Mal Reilly

The Coaches -  The Knights have had three full-time coaches in their 11 years. The most successful has been the incumbent, Malcolm Reilly. The man who coached the Knights in their first game in the competition was Allan McMahon, a former Australian representative winger. At the time of his appointment he was the reserve-grade coach with the Canberra Raiders. He moved to Newcastle in late 1987 to prepare the Knights for their inaugural 1988 Winfield Cup season. 
That first season the Knights finished 14th on the table after winning five games, losing 15 and drawing one. McMahon's second season was better. The club finished seventh with 11 wins and 11 losses. McMahon's third season promised glory, but the team was beaten by Balmain in a play-off match for fifth position. In 1991 the club began with three wins and three draws but after 14 games had only won four of them. It was on July 2, 1991, that Allan McMahon resigned. He had coached the Knights for 81 matches with a record of 33 wins, 42 losses and six draws. 
The second coach, David Waite, took over from McMahon in mid-1991. That season the Knights finished 13th. In 1992, Waite's first full season as coach, the Knights qualified for the play-offs for the first time when they finished fourth. The Knights beat Wests 21-2 in the first semi-final, then lost 3-2 to St George. The 1993 season was less successful with the team ending ninth on the competition ladder. The 1994 season ended in disaster with the Knights losing their last six games. David Waite's reign as coach came to an end. His club coaching record showed 76 matches for 34 wins, 40 losses amd two draws. He was replaced by Malcolm Reilly, who resigned as England's coach to take over the Knights. Reilly had experience as a player in Australia, playing for Manly in the 1970s. 
Malcolm Reilly took Newcastle to fifth position in his first year (1995), beginning with nine straight wins. The team won 17 games in that season's competition and then beat North Sydney and Cronulla in the semi-finals before losing 12-4 to Manly in the final. In 1996 the Knights finished ninth after winning 10 games and just missed the final eight for the play-offs.  The 1997 season - the glory season for the Knights - saw the Knights winning 17, including the Grand Final, losing eight and drawing one. Malcolm Reilly's record to the end of the 1997 season was 73 games for 45 wins, 26 losses and two draws. Under the three coaches the Knights have played 231 matches to the end of the 1997 season. 

Players' caps in hand Hats off to best of Knights; Apr 8, 2006.
THE Australian cricket team have the baggy green. Now the Newcastle Knights have the baggy blue and red.
Always keen to embrace their history and cultivate their culture, the Knights have commissioned individually numbered caps to recognise every player to have played first grade since the club kicked off in 1988. Only 181 men have achieved that feat in 18 and a bit seasons, confirming the generally held belief that Knights players belong to an exclusive club. Knights operations manager Stephen Crowe, one of the driving forces behind the Once-a-Knight Old Boys, said the caps would be presented to debutants at the end of each year and hoped they would become prized possessions. "The Old Boys are trying to establish traditions and this is something we've adopted from the Australian cricket team to honour everyone who has played first grade," Crowe said. "Each player has been allocated a number corresponding to when they first played first grade. Milton Thaiday was our last debutant for 2005, making him number 180, and Brian Carney is 181 as our only debutant so far this year. "From this year on, the Old Boys will present all the debutants from that year with their caps at our presentation night."
Other players can buy their caps to cover costs. The caps are made by Albion C&D, makers of the baggy green worn so proudly by Australia's Test cricketers.
The first 17 players to represent the Knights against Parramatta on March 5, 1988, were sorted alphabetically, rather than by positions, for the sake of numbering.
That means the prized No.1 cap belongs to foundation forward David Boyd, who played 110 first-grade games for the Knights between 1988 and 1993. Boyd pipped good mate Tony Butterfield by six letters.
Other milestone numbers belong to Shane Christensen (50), Troy Fletcher (100) and Josh Smith (150). Fletcher played 89 first-grade games and was a member of Newcastle's 1997 ARL grand final-winning team, but Christensen (two) and Smith (six) might only be remembered by the most devout Knights fan.
Andrew Johns is 75, two spots behind older brother Matthew (73). The numbers of some other famous Knights are Paul Harragon (35), Michael Hagan (37), Mark Sargent (39), Ashley Gordon (46), Robbie O'Davis (68), Bill Peden (86), Matt Gidley (98) and Danny Buderus (103).

STEVE FULMER
Nickname: Joey
Position: Halfback
Knights career: 1988-92
Born: Coonamble, NSW; May 6, 1966
Now living at: Tingira Heights
Marital status/kids: Married to Donna; sons Hayden (14) and Liam (12) and daughter Mikala (10).
Playing weight: 75kg
Current weight: 78kg
Currently employed as: Owns and operates freight company AirRoad Express; co-owns Denman Hotel at Abermain with
Knights director Trevor Crow; Knights Premier League assistant coach.
Best player you played against: Allan Langer
Favourite NRL player now: Sonny Bill Williams
Most memorable game you played in: Beating Manly [10-4] here in 1990. It was just a real typical Knights-Manly game.
Most annoying teammate at the Knights (and why): Marc Glanville, for the usual reasons, and because my invitation to
his 40th must have got lost in the mail.
Favourite memory of being a Knight: Moving to Newcastle and meeting so many new people. It's home now.

GLENN GRIEF
Nickname: Chunky
Position: Prop
Knights career: 1996- 2001
Born: Fairfield, NSW; August 15, 1973
Now living at: Merewether
Marital status/kids: Fiancee Kellie, no children
Playing weight: 98kg
Current weight: 105kg
Currently employed as: Small business owner and restaurateur at Grind on Darby Street.
Best player you played against: Glenn Lazarus
Favourite NRL player now: Andrew Johns
Most memorable game you played in: The 2001 grand final, when we beat Parramatta [30-24].
Most annoying teammate at the Knights (and why): Peter Shiels was my funniest teammate. I didn't really have
an annoying teammate as such, but I suppose the two years I had with Marc Glanville were enough to last a career.
Favourite memory of being a Knight: The friendships you build that are still there today. A lot of players come
here but either never leave, or decide to come back here to live after they've finished playing. Im a good example of
that.

TROY FLETCHER 
Nickname: Fletch
Position: Second-rower
Knights career: 1993- 2001
Born: Newcastle, NSW;
September 1, 1973
Now living at: Eleebana
Marital status/kids: Married to Kirsty; daughters Lily (5) and Mae (3).
Playing weight: 96kg
Current weight: 89kg
Currently employed as: Area manager for Castle Chemicals
Best player you played against: Allan Langer
Favourite NRL player now: Reegan Tanner
Most memorable game you played in: The 1997 grand final, but the 1995 reserve-grade grand final would be a close second.
Most annoying teammate at the Knights (and why): Evan Cochrane. He was just a pest, and had poor personal hygiene.
Favourite memory of being a Knight: Probably the week-long party after the '97 grand final, not that I can remember too much of it.

DAVID MULLANE 
Position: Hooker; secondrower
Knights career: 1989-94
Born: Tamworth, NSW;
June 7, 1969
Now living at: Sawtell
Marital status/kids: Married to Nadina; 14-year-old son Brandon, 10-year-old twin daughters Tnysha and Taylah, six-year-old daughter Logen.
Playing weight: 97kg
Current weight: 88kg
Currently employed as: Self-employed installing and repairing air-conditioners and domestic appliances.
Best players you played against: Steve Walters and Royce Simmons.
Favourite NRL player now: Andrew Johns.
Most memorable game you played in: The two games against Balmain in 1990, when we had to beat them in the last round in Newcastle to make a play-off and the
play-off two days later at Parramatta Stadium when they beat us.
Most annoying teammate at the Knights (and why): Marc Glanville, because he was and still is a pest.
Favourite memory of being a Knight: I suppose just being around and being a part of helping establish what the club was built on. We were all mates who played hard on the field and enjoyed a schooner together after the game.

MARC GLANVILLE
Nickname: MG, Paddle Pop Lion or The Pest
Position: Lock
Knights career: 1988-97
Born: Wagga Wagga,
NSW; June 12, 1966
Now living at: Rankin Park
Marital status/kids: Married to Sharon; children Jordan (12), Ryan (9) and Matthew (8).
Playing weight: 98kg
Current weight: 72kg
Currently employed as: Business development manager and touring golf pro for Turnbull Hill Lawyers
Best player you played against: Dally Messenger
Favourite NRL player now: Sean Hampstead
Most memorable game you played in: 1997 ARL grand final
Most annoying teammate at the Knights (and why): Marc Glanville. I couldnt stand myself then and nothing has changed.
Favourite memory of being a Knight: Leaving such a lasting influence on my former teammates.

GLENN GRIEF
Nickname: Chunky
Position: Prop
Knights career: 1996- 2001
Born: Fairfield, NSW;
August 15, 1973
Now living at: Merewether
Marital status/kids: Fiancee Kellie, no children
Playing weight: 98kg
Current weight: 105kg
Currently employed as: Small business owner and restaurateur at Grind on Darby Street.
Best player you played against: Glenn Lazarus
Favourite NRL player now: Andrew Johns
Most memorable game you played in: The 2001 grand final, when we beat Parramatta [30-24].
Most annoying teammate at the Knights (and why): Peter Shiels was my funniest teammate. I didn't really have an annoying teammate as such, but I suppose
the two years I had with Marc Glanville were enough to last a career. 
Favourite memory of being a Knight: The friendships you build that are still there today. A lot of players come here but either never leave, or decide to come back here to live after they've finished playing. Im a good example of that.

Matty Johns on Adam Muir - Newcastle Morning Herald. 
"G'day, I'm Hurtsie"  In 1989, while training for the under-21s season, I noticed a tall but skinny back-rower hitting holes, sidestepping and generally standing out from the crowd. In a certain drill we were paired off and I found we immediately struck up a great combination.  This bloke, Adam Muir, and I proceeded to use our combination to help us both survive in the cut-throat world of football.  From this meeting we simultaneously progressed from under-19s to under-20s to reserve grade, then first grade, State of Origin and Australia. 

TONY HERMAN 
Nickname: Smiley
Position: Winger
Knights career: 1989-96
Born: Toowoomba, QLD;
August 18, 1967
Now living at: New Lambton
Marital status/kids: Married to Lisa; children Matthew (15) and Montana (7)
Playing weight: 95kg
Current weight: 105kg
Currently employed as: Scaffolding supervisor for Team Scaffl ink
Best player you played against: Laurie Daley
Favourite NRL player now: Darren Lockyer
Most memorable game you played in: A few of our semi-fi nal games were pretty memorable, but Id have to say our first one, when we beat Wests [21-2] in 1992.
Most annoying teammate at the Knights (and why): Paul Marquet, because he was so fit and so good at training he used to make the backs look bad.
Favourite memory of being a Knight: All the friendships we made that are still there today, even though we dont get to see each other as much as we used to or as much as wed probably like to.
 

DAVID BOYD 
Nickname: "Boydy" or "Boydo"
Position: Front-rower or second-rower.
Knights career: 1988-93
Born: Wagga Wagga,
NSW; May 13, 1966
Now living at: Broadbeach Waters
Marital status/kids: Married to Kim; daughters Maddie (10), Tenika (6) and Kiaan (4), son Rourke (3).
Playing weight: 99kg
Current weight: 90kg
Currently employed as: Operations manager for Coastal Funding brokerage company.
Best player you played against: Bradley Clyde 
Favourite NRL player now: Sonny Bill Williams
Most memorable game you played in: The Herald Challenge Cup against Manly in 1988. That was our first game as the Knights.
Most annoying teammate at the Knights (and why): Marc Glanville, aka "The Paddle Pop Lion". He was the ultimate pest and, like I just did, he's about to turn 40.
Favourite memory of being a Knight: Having a full head of hair.
 

ADRIAN BRUNKER 
Nickname: "Archie"
Position: Centre, winger
Knights career: 1990-93
Born: Collinsville, QLD;
September 23, 1970
Now living at: Gold Coast
Marital status/kids: Married to Nicole; children Sky (11), Kaleb (8) and Chloe (4)
Playing weight: 94kg
Current weight: 94kg
Currently employed as: Property developer. I own a company called The Maroon Group. We build mining accommodation.
Best player you played against: Jamie Ainscough was the hardest player I played against. He was hard to catch.
Favourite NRL player now: I don't watch much footy now but I'll say Joey (Andrew Johns).
Most memorable game you played in: Missing a goal from in front against Manly at Marathon in my last year there. I scored with about five minutes to go and the conversion would have given us a draw, but we lost by two [16-14]. I've never forgotten it because the supporters never let me forget it. They cut the fuel lines and the brake lines in my truck and tried to burn my house down. 
Most annoying teammate at the Knights (and why): No one annoyed me, but "MG" (Marc Glanville) was definitely the funniest. Favourite memory of being a Knight: Playing outside John Schuster was pretty good.
 

GARY WURTH 
Nickname: "Whatsy" or "Wurthy"
Position: Fullback
Knights career: 1989-91
Born: Canberra, ACT; June 2, 1961
Now living at: Charlestown
Marital status/kids: Partner Eebecca; two daughters, Jody (19) and Bec (16)
Playing weight: 89kg
Current weight: 89kg
Currently employed as: General manager at Central Charlestown Leagues Club
Best player you played against: Brad Fittler
Favourite NRL player now: Benji Marshall 
Most memorable game you played in: Beating Balmain in our last game of 1989 to make a play-off against them a couple of days later in Sydney.
Most annoying teammate at the Knights (and why): Marc Glanville, because he's a KF. I can't say what that stands for but he knows what it means.
Favourite memory of being a Knight: The mateship - coming through those first years of the club with blokes that I'm still friends with now.
 

ASHLEY GORDON 
Nickname: "Flash"
Position: Fullback or winger
Knights career: 1988-92; 1995
Born: Collarenebri, NSW;
March 6, 1969
Now living at: Newcastle
Marital status/kids: Married to Jane; children Laura (10), Thomas (8) and Joseph (5)
Playing weight: 81kg
Current weight: 81kg
Currently employed as: Counselling and marketing manager at Life Activities (Hunter-based charity helping the disadvantaged).
Best player you played against: Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart or anyone else from that Canberra back line.
Favourite NRL player now: Mark Gasnier
Most memorable game you played in: The games against Balmain in 1990 when we beat them [16-14] at home in the last round to make a play-off, and the
play-off against them two days later at Parramatta Stadium [which Balmain won 12-4]. 
Most annoying teammate at the Knights (and why): Without a doubt, Marc Glanville. He was and still is a world-class sledger and pest, but 'MG' never realised
we were always laughing at him, not with him.
Favourite memory of being a Knight: Running out and playing in front of our home crowd. It was awesome. 
 

John Schuster - Newcastle regularly looked beyond the Winfield cup for affordable attacking genius, as most of these players came with a huge price tag the knights could not afford. One of these players was John Schuster from the all blacks who played all but one game scoring 11 tries and becoming a crowd favourite on the hill.A former all black originally from West Samoa.  Schusters strong runs out on the flanks and radar like goal kicking set knights fans cheering for more during the 1992 season.  Despite setting two club records - greatest career points and most points in a season (152 pts in 1992), Schuster spent most of the 1993 season in reserve grade and then shifted to Halifax the next year.  Schuster became a league international after leaving the knights when he captained Western Samoa in the 1995 World Cup.
Newcastle 1991 - 1993,  46 games.
scoring 16 tries, 101 goals,  total 266 points.
Schuster in 1991 said, "I've played with teams, like the All Blacks, which are a very close unit and possess tremendous team spirit. It didn't take me long to realise that Newcastle offers the same sort of thing." McMahon is acutely aware that the earthquake last December forever altered the peoples' perceptions of themselves and their city. He was determined that the Knights would be a positive focus against a backdrop of introspection and, in many cases, despair.
 

Player Profile Tony Townsend By Mark Hughes
Family: Wife Christine, children Kaitlin & Lauren and a bird Lovey (all females) 
Years with Club: 1988-1991 
First Grade Games with the Knights: Not enough 
Nick Name: "T", "TT", or "Double T". 
Most memorable game: 1988 Challenge win over Manly, I still have the $10 FIA man of the match watch. 
Least memorable game: A toss up between breaking my cheekbone, breaking my arm, getting knocked out after 30 seconds or Mal Meninga leaving his boot print in my chest on the road to a successful come back. 
Most annoying team-mate: Marc Glanville - every time I see him he sings happy birthday to me. By his calculations I would be older than Leigh Maughn. 
Funniest Team mate: Scott Carter - The highlight was watching him do a 10-second 100-metre sprint attached to a giant elastic band. 
Best thing about playing for the Knights: Fantastic community support and team mates who enjoy an occasional quiet beer. 
What do you miss most: Not playing during the super league. I probably would have a smaller mortage. 
What do you miss least: Joe Dunnage's (former fitness coach) medieval torture device the "Versi-climber". 
What are you up to now: Living and working as a police officer at Raymond Terrace. 
MH - Would you consider writing meaningless, exaggerated and sometimes ridiculous articles on crime? 
TT - Yes you should be locked up.

Robbie McCormack
Player Profile Robbie McCormack - by Mark Hughes
This week I caught up with former Robbie McCormack 
Years with Club: 1998 - 1996 
First Grade games with Club: 154 
Nick Name: Moth 
Why? At a party I had too many drinks and fell asleep in a cupboard. 
Family: Wife Sheree, sons Geoffrey & Connor and daughter Montanah 
Most memorable game: First First Grade game against the Broncos. I was marking King Wally. We were at home and they made Wally Buster T-Shirts. A huge week for a boy from the bush. 
Least memorable game: Breaking my leg and ankle in 1989 round 6 against Norths.
Funniest Team Mate: Marc Glanville - he just can't help himself.; Brad Godden - His dry one liners - he didn't know what he was saying. 
Best thing about playing for the Knights: The mateship and the friends made. Also the support of Newcastle & Hunter Valley supporters week in and week out. 
What you miss least: Losses and injuries 
Bus trips home after the game: Depended on the results. Early days there was not much success, though when we did win it usually continued into town and big dogs (Dave Morley) second home the Cricketers Arms Hotel. 
What are you up to now: Working with a mate at his scaffold company, Newcastle Scafflink (the Erection Specialists). Also still doing green waste recycling and most importantly spending more time with my family. 

Robbie McCormack played half for muswellbrook where he had a hard won reputation for giving his side momentum and being able to read the point of attack.  Newcastle signed him up immediately for a modest contract.  St George and Balmain having rejected him.  By the end of his career with the knights he had played almost every position on the field and surviving horror injuries including a broken leg.  He was one of the most inspirering players the knights had.
Veteran knights centre, a compact player equally at home at the scrum base.  McCormacks strenght was seen to good effect in the clubs historic 1992 semi final win.McCormack won the Excalibur Club players' player-of-the-year award  for the first time in 1988, is the only back-line player to win the award. McCormack also took the title in 1992 and 1994 when playing hooker. 
Played for the Hunter Mariners in 1997. 
NSW rep in 1990 and 1993.
Newcastle 1988 - 96, playing 146 games,  Scoring 17 tries, 68 points.
A real Rugby League great  -  5 Jun 2001,  Newcastle Herald

ROBBIE McCormack is a retired first grade rugby league player. He played first grade from 1988-1998 for the Newcastle Knights, the Hunter Mariners and Wigan in England.  Robbie played because he loved playing football. He began his football career when he was seven, playing for Inverell East. He would have liked to have played halfback but was forced to play in the centres. He played soccer for only a year because he wore braces and could not play League. He was selected to play professionally in 1988 because he trained hard and he played hard. When he played professionally he liked to play five eighth and hooker.   His worst injuries were a broken ankle, a broken leg and a dislocated ankle. He retired in 1998. His favourite players were Hory Hastings and Stumpy Stevens. His hobby is spending time with his kids. Robbie's favourite junk food is his homemade egg and bacon burgers and his favourite movie is The Blues Brothers.