Green Island taking trip down memory lane

Green Island will roll back the years and play in a strip resembling the jersey worn during the 1970s when the club won three titles.

The premier team seniors are hosting Alhambra-Union at Miller Park on Saturday and the heritage jersey should bring back a few memories.

If the kit does not inspire nostalgic reflection, the list of names printed on the back of the jerseys should.

The strip will bear all the players and coaches’ names from Green Island’s three championship-winning teams in a wonderful nod to the club’s history.

Club president Craig Anderson said Green Island introduced a heritage day last season to celebrate its history and entice old members back to the club.

Green Island Rugby Club president Craig Anderson at Miller Park, Green Island, yesterday  with a...
Green Island Rugby Club president Craig Anderson at Miller Park, Green Island, yesterday with a new jersey modelled on those from the 1970s to be worn at a heritage day at the club this Saturday. Photo: Gregor Richardson

"But this year we’ve stepped it up a bit," he said.

"We’re going to honour our banner winning sides of  ’73, ’74 and ’78. Basically, we are going to present all those guys that are there from those sides just a wee memorial badge."

The sidelines should be dotted with Green Island royalty with the likes of Lyn and Merv Jaffray and Brian Mckechnie expected to attend the event.

"Merv was the captain of those sides," Anderson said.

"Brian McKechnie, who played in the 1974 side, is turning up and hopefully Dick Bunton."

Anderson said the club planned to auction off the jerseys afterwards, including three framed ones. He is hoping the auction will raise up to $5,000.

"Last year was a bit of a learning curve for us. It went all right but a lot of people did not know about it.

"This year we have really pushed it right from the start to get it up and running."

Green Island has two wins from five games this season. Those two wins came against the No1 and No2 ranked sides from last season, so the club is tracking back up following some lean years. A win against Alhambra-Union would keep the team in touch with the top four.

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