Bleeding blue

NARRABRI Rugby League has honoured dedication to the Blues with the recent presentation of life memberships.

Well-known club identities Michael Knox, Jeff Pattison and Mark Lyon were applauded for their contributions when the Blues held their first game of the season at Collins Park.

Each of the new recipients has contributed to the club in different aspects but one thing they have in common is a love for the Blues.

Reflecting on his time with the sport in Narrabri, Lyon said he had joined the Blues in what was an exciting period for the club.

Mark Lyon received his life membership from Kevin ‘Flood’ Hulbert. Photo: Tom Pattison.

Lyon started playing first grade in 1988 while the Blues enjoyed several years of playing finals football.

Lyon played wing in first grade but was more of a five-eighth and centre when in the reserves.

A highlight of his playing career, and involvement with the club, was the 1990 premiership victory against West Tamworth.

In 1992 and 1993, Lyon also spent his time coaching and playing in a bit of reserves competition while still playing first grade.

His playing career ended in 1993.

Lyon, a retired police officer, had moved away from the area from 1995 to 1998.

Upon returning to Narrabri, he resumed his involvement with the Blues.

“I’ve helped out at the club since,” Lyon said. Lyon has served on the committee, assisted on game days and has enjoyed being involved with the Old Blues.

Lyon credits playing with the club during the exciting 1980s–1990s period as driving his initial love and passion.

“We’re all still good friends,” Lyon said of the playing squad of that time which featured the likes of John Rumsby, Kevin Hill and Wayne Saunders. Other well-known identities included Michael Brooks, Wally Bentley, Danny Hancock and the French boy among others.

Jeff Pattison receives his life membership badge from Jake Newton. Photo: Tom Pattison.

When Lyon joined the Blues, the Nandewar Eagles were still playing in second division football.

Gaining selection for league was a competitive process.

“The good thing about back then was that we were vying for our positions,” Lyon said.

“That was all part of the comradeship.”

Lyon and the other players of his era still maintain a keen interest in the Blues and want to see the club succeed.

“I’m a rugby league tragic. I just want to see them do well,” he said.

“We’re hanging in there and want to see them get another premiership.

“We want them to experience what we experienced back then.”

Growing up in Coonabarabran, league has always been a big part of Lyon’s life.

“That’s what all kids did,” he said.

His involvement in league continued while working as a police officer in Sydney.

But the Blues have featured as the biggest part of Lyon’s league involvement.

“I’ve enjoyed being part of the Blues,” he said.

“It helped me settle into the community.

“I’d love to see others get that passion.”

Lyon credited mentors and well-known club figures including Frank Fish and Barry Ford for their influence on him.

For Pattison, his involvement with the Blues started playing juniors and lower grades in the 1980s.

He returned to the club in the 2000s eager to drive a revival of junior rugby along with John Rumsby.

“The Blues were going through a tough time,” Pattison said.

By building up the juniors, Pattison and Rumsby wanted to build a strong base of players who would make their way through to the senior grades.

“We coached the boys over a three to four-year period and wanted to create some future first grade players,” Pattison said.

The junior league revival was a success and by the time the boys had reached under-18s, they had claimed the grand final in 2008.

“The boys kept on playing and went into the senior ranks,” Pattison said.

Narrabri Rugby League life membership recipients Michael Knox, Jeff Pattison and Mark Lyon have been celebrated for their contributions to the Blues. Photo: Tom Pattison

Juniors aside, Pattison was also involved as a water runner for the seniors for 11 years.

Pattison, who now lives on the Gold Coast, has been buoyed by the passion of some former juniors – the likes of Jake Rumsby, Hayden Bell, Peter Quirk and others – who have been part of the revival of the Blues.

“If we don’t create juniors, then we don’t have the seniors,” Pattison said.

Reflecting on the life membership honour, Pattison described it as a massive shock.

“It’s an honour to be a life member of a club with such a rich history,” he said.

Michael Knox, who was also a life member recipient, was unavailable to comment. He will be featured in a future edition.