STORIES of their glory days flew thick and fast as more than 500 members of the Cities football club gathered in Roma for a reunion to celebrate 100 years of the great club.
Prominent amongst the guests was 97 year old Ron Grant who wore the Cities’ colour before World War II and who served for many years as a club official.
Ron had the honour of cutting the centenary cake along with the current first grade captain, Kevin Ruhle.
Also in attendance was 89 year old Bill Galton who played in the club’s golden run in the 1940s when the boys in blue won five premierships.
Several members of the 1965 team, who broke an 18 year long drought for the club, had the opportunity to relive their glory days. The guest who attracted most attention were former Australian and Queensland players Darren Lockyer and Wally Fullerton-Smith who went on from Cities to achieve these higher honours.
The regard for Darren was demonstrated when his Cities’ Under 16 jersey was auctioned and raised $9500.
The framed jersey is now the prized possession of Bec and George Cannon from the Commonwealth Hotel and it is sure to find a prominent position at the local pub.
The club also auctioned 20 commemorative jerseys and it total the auction raised more than $50,000 with the highest price for the number 13 jumper coming in at $3500.
The huge crowd were entertained by Darren and Wally as well as a galaxy of former greats, Ron Pollock, Mike Cronin, Len Summer, Charlie Manns, Butch Smith and Frank Saunders who all reminisced about their time playing with the Gladiators.
The crowd was enthralled by a video presentation which had been produced by Lonnie Gilroy, the grandson of Cities’ club legend Roy.
The film entitled “Cities: A Century of Gladiators” can be viewed on YouTube.
Lonnie’s father, Brian had also produced a 100 page book tracking the club’s history.
The book which is full of photos and information was in hot demand and can still be purchased by contacting Desley Oates at desley53@hotmail.com or Brian at briangilroy58@gmail.com.
