Foundations and Early Success: 1935-1944 /

From having no home ground and recording heavy defeats to lifting the Premiership trophy twice in their first decade, the foundation years of the Canterbury-Bankstown Rugby League Football Club established a new and unique identity in the NSWRFL. 

• 1935 - The Inaugural Season
• 1936 - The Recruitment Drive
• 1937 - A Bump in the Road
• 1938 - A First Premiership
• 1939 - Champions of the State
• 1940 - Back to the Decider
• 1941 - Bailey's Boys
• 1942 - Premiers Again
• 1943 - A Change of Outfit and Fortunes
• 1944 - From Bad to Worse

1935 - The Inaugural Season

Preparing the Club for its first season was exciting, yet far from glamorous. Training was held at McMahon's paddock, a rough section of ground near Belmore station which players referred to as 'an old cow paddock'.

Lighting proved to be an issue, with the car lights of supporters at times the only way for the team to avoid potholes while training at night.

Despite these setbacks, the camaraderie was strong amongst the Canterbury players, with hardships uniting them - most of whom were local juniors, or those from Western Suburbs who joined due to the residential rule. 

Head Coach Ed 'Tedda' Courtney came from a reputable pedigree; playing 180 games for Wests, Newtown and Norths, and was one of the competition's pioneering players in 1908; playing thirteen Tests for Australia. 

As for home grounds, while the development of Belmore Campsie Oval had helped the Club's cause for a license in the top-grade, the venue had not yet been ready for the 1935 season. Therefore the side did not have a home ground in its very first season.

On April 25, 1935, thirteen pioneering players took the field for the very first time in Blue and White jerseys with large thick bars onto North Sydney Oval, a nice contrast to Norths' Black and Red. 

The very first team was as follows; G Main, V Dwyer, J Morrison (Captain), S Elliott, B Crawford, H Brown, T Carey, F Sponberg, A Wellington, J McConnell, J Hartwell Snr, R Lindfield, F Chaplin. 

Despite being a perfect April day bathed in sunshine, the side was defeated after a promising start, 20-5, with Jack Hartwell Snr holding the distinction as the Club's very first try scorer in first-grade. 

The following weeks would prove to be a hard adjustment to the fledgling side with some tough lessons learned; a horror 91-6 loss to St George - a competition record still to this day - before an equally humiliating 87-7 defeat to eventual Premiers, Easts, the following week. 

There was still light at the end of the tunnel, however, and on 22 June, Canterbury-Bankstown recorded its very first victory in first-grade, a 21-2 three-tries-to-none performance against University. In the penultimate round of the season, the side's second victory came, also against University, 16-15. 

By the end of the season, Canterbury had scored 22 tries, kicked 42 goals for 150 points, but had 140 tries and 120 goals scored against for a total of 660 points - finishing in 8th position just behind University. 

Despite the results, Club officials took charge and went on a search for talent for 1936, despite an unpopular practice in League circles at the time, it brought the Club a new reputation and a new name. 

Season Snapshot

• Canterbury-Bankstown took the field for the first time on April 25, 1935, going down to North Sydney, 20-5. Front rower Jack Hartwell Snr scored the Club's first try in first-grade. 
• Ed 'Tedda' Courtney was the inaugural Coach, while Jack Morrison was the side's inaugural Captain.  
• The 91-6 loss against St George in Round 5 remains as a competition record.
• The side's two wins came against eventual wooden spooners University; 21-2 in Round 8 and 16-15 in Round 17. 
• The side finished the season in 8th place with two wins and fourteen losses.
• George Main topped the point-scoring with 58, while Vic Dwyer topped the try-scoring with four.

Debutants: Jack Morrison, Harry Brown, Tom Carey, Fred Chaplin, Basil Crawford, Vince Dwyer, Sid Elliott, Jack Hartwell Snr, Bob Lindfield, George Main, Jack McConnell, Frank Sponberg, Alan Wellington, Harry Courtney, Bill Joass, Eddie Burns, Jack Hobson, Malcolm McPhillips, Clyde Cant, Jack Coleman, George Hall, Ted Burdon, Charlie Chignell, Joe Sharp, Roy McCallum, Barry Neville, Eddie Bowen, Jack O'Sullivan, Fred Brighten, Billy Knowles, Harry Hall, Charlie Morris

1936 - The Recruitment Drive

Season 1936 could be considered as historic as the Club's inaugural year; they finally had a home, made the semi-finals for the very first time and made their first big recruitment drive.

Acknowledging that swift action had to be made, the Club made a signing spree in the off-season, highlighted by legendary figure Frank Burge as Head Coach, while recruiting heavily from the country; earning the nickname 'Country Bumpkins'. 

Campsie-Belmore Oval, the venue that helped get the Club over the line for a spot in the NSWRFL first-grade competition, opened its doors on Monday, April 13 when Canterbury defeated rivals Wests in Round 1, 11-6. 

They then notched their first wins against Norths, Balmain and St George, going undefeated between Round 9 and Round 14, piped in the final round against Balmain.

Belmore hosted their very first Semi-Final match, where Canterbury fought bravely against the champion Easts side in a valiant effort - one that kick-started a period of early success for the fledgling Club. 

Season Snapshot

• 1936 was the first season playing at Belmore Campsie Oval, with the first match an 11-6 victory over Western Suburbs in Round 1 on Monday, April 13.
• The Club's biggest win at that point came in a 41-nil demolition of University in Round 11, which also saw wins in all three grades for the first time. 
• A signing frenzy including legendary Frank Burge as Head Coach catapulted the side to a third place finish after the regular season. 
• The Semi-Final defeat to eventual Premiers Eastern Suburbs (25-13) marked the Club's first finals appearance and the first at Belmore Campsie Oval.
• Bob Lindfield, the Club's talented hooker retired after injury in Round 4. A testimonial attended by 3000 patrons raised £30. 

Debutants: Alan Brady, Bill Howes, Tommy Kirk, Aub Mitchell, Henry Porter, Clint Quinlivan, Roy Gilchrist, Joe Gartner, George Mason, Bill Porter, John Connell 

1937 - A Bump in the Road

After a breakthrough season in 1936, new Head Coach George Mason - the third in as many years - was unable to continue the momentum into another post-season appearance. 

With the NSWRFL shortening the season to just eight matches to accommodate the Kangaroo Tour, Canterbury were unable to gain momentum, finishing in fifth place with an equal amount of wins and losses. 

The Club had the distinction of playing in University's final outing before exiting the competition, defeating the 'students' 13-12 in a muddy match, while their record would be mirrored in the City Cup, with four wins and four losses. 

Season Snapshot

• George Mason became the Club's third Head Coach in as many years. 
• The NSWRFL ordered changes to both the Premiership and City Cup, with just eight matches with a bye in both competitions. 
• The Kangaroo Tour saw the Premiership season shortened, while the City Cup was reintroduced. 
• Canterbury were the final team to play University before they left the competition, defeating the 'Students' 13-2 in a muddy match at Belmore Oval.
• Roy McCarter was the Club's top point-scorer with 41.
• Joe Gartner topped the try scoring with 13 across both the Premiership and City Cup.

Debutants: Roy McCarter, Jim McCormack, Bill Sponberg, Jim Pratt, Vivian Saunders, Jim Dickenson, Ossie Samuels, Cec Fifield, Jack Whitfield

1938 - A First Premiership

Just four years into their existence in the NSWRFL, Canterbury-Bankstown held aloft the Premiership trophy following a 19-6 defeat of heavyweights Easts as the competition celebrated its 30th year. 

The catalyst to the season could be put down to the appointment of coach Jimmy Craig and hooker Roy Kirkaldy; the former a Test player and master strategist who had been part of Balmain's golden era from 1915-21, and the latter regarded as 'The Prince of Hookers' and an experienced campaigner.

The year began with a bang defeating Norths (33-5), Wests (28-3), St George (29-17) and Newtown (35-11), scoring 27 tries in four games and conceding just eight. 

However, it was their Round 5 match against three-time Premiers Easts that gave the shot of confidence to take out the crown; the Blue and Whites putting their opponents to the sword in a 28-9 hiding.

Canterbury did not lose a match in the first round, drawing 3-all with Souths at the SCG and losing only to Wests, 19-9 in the second round. 

The final three rounds proved to be a litmus test for the side, coming up against their three toughest rivals, drawing with Easts (15-all) and defeating Souths (12-8) and Balmain (20-18). 

Appropriately, it would be Eastern Suburbs who would be their opponents in the Final, who were on the hunt for a fourth consecutive title.

Canterbury dominated their more fancied opponents in the final, 19-6, with Joe Gartner scoring two tries and Jim Duncombe once, while Tom Kirk kicked four goals and Roy McCarter one to Easts' two tries.

Season Snapshot

• Season 1938 marked two significant milestones in the Club's history; the first Minor Premiership and the first Premiership title. 
• Former Test player Jim Craig, the Club's fourth coach, joined the Club. The master strategist was part of Balmain's first golden era, winning five titles from 1915-1920.
• Legendary hooker Roy Kirkaldy also signed over from Newcastle. Known as 'The Prince of Hookers', he dominated the scrum and joined the triumvirate 'Three Musketeers' with fellow front rowers Eddie Burns and Henry Porter. 
• Fellow signings Edgar Newham, Ted Anderson and Jim Champions signed.
• In Round 5, Canterbury claimed their first win over Easts, a 28-9 thumping.
• The first-grade Grand Final against Easts was scheduled for 3:15pm, but didn't start until four o'clock due to a drawn out extra time in third grade.
• The year also marked the first Club Championship claimed by Canterbury.
• Another trophy for 1938 included the Inner-City Championship, defeating Waratah-Mayfield, Kirkaldy's Newcastle club, 31-5.
• Tommy Kirk was the competition's points leader with 90 points from two tries and 42 goals.
• It was the first season that all three grades made the semi-finals. 

Debutants: Ted Anderson, Jim Champion, Roy Kirkaldy, Edgar Newham, Harry Griffin, Jim Duncombe

1939 - Champions of the State

Despite being unable to back up their Premiership defence, Canterbury were still able to come away with silverware in 1939, taking home the State Championship title, while Jerry Brien arrived as Head Coach in his first stint at the Club.  

The NSWRFL season itself was another strong one from the Belmore boys, finishing in second place after recovering from a 0-2 start with a string of seven consecutive wins.

Finishing the year with two wins after a patchy month, the side faced against rivals Balmain in the Semi-Final, narrowly downed 13-9.

The post-season competition saw them dispose of Easts (27-10), NSW Group 7 down in Wollongong (13-7), Newtown (34-17) and then Souths (25-12). 

Season Snapshot

• Jerry Brien arrived at the Club as Head Coach.
• Despite not backing up their Premiership title, the Club claimed its first and only State Championship title, beating South Sydney 25-12 in the final. Centre Jim Champion scored two tries. 
• The seven-match winning streak was a Club in-season record held until 1985 (although it was equalled in 1980 and 1984). 

Debutants: Lloyd Atkins, Geoffrey Robinson, Bob Allison, Alan Kent

1940 - Back to the Decider

Canterbury continued to compete as a heavyweight of the competition despite the Second World War raging on, reaching their second decider in 1940.

Bouncing back from a horror start to the season - two wins in the opening six matches - the side strung things together with six consecutive victories, finding themselves in second place with a fortnight remaining.

The final two weeks of the season, losses to Souths and Newtown, put them down a notch in third place, but Alan Brady's men were prepared to fight tooth and nail to bring back the cup.

Canterbury got revenge in the Semi-Final against neighbours Newtown, with a 19-11 victory despite star front rower Henry Porter being sent off, alongside his opposite Gordon McLennan. 

However, their second Premiership title would have to wait, with Easts besting them in the Final. While they kept in touch with their opponents at the break, trailing by just two points, the boys from Bondi ran away with the result, 24-14.  

Season Snapshot

• Alan Brady was named as the Club's new Head Coach in his sole season.
• The side bounced back from two wins in their opening six rounds to record a six-match streak.
• Canterbury reached their second decider following a maiden finals win against Newtown, 19-11. 
• The final ended in defeat against Easts, 24-14 after a close 11-9 halftime scoreline. 

Debutants: Gordon Clunas, Jack Bonnyman, Merv Denton, Lin Johnson, Jack Reilly, Jim Gibbs, Bob Farrar, Bernie Martin, Bob Russell, Les Clare, Arthur Morris

1941 - Bailey's Boys

Centre Ron Bailey arrived at the Club, and quickly established himself as a capable Captain-Coach, taking Canterbury back to the playoffs. 

Much like they had started in recent seasons, the side showed inconsistent form before a mid-season winning streak, toppling Norths (22-12), St George (15-14), Balmain (21-15), Souths (16-13) and Wests (22-17), climbing to first position. 

However, the promising year ended in three consecutive losses, including the Semi-Final against rivals Easts. 

The State Championships ended in a Semi-Final finish as well, this time against Newtown (36-19) after scraping by against NSW Group 10 (11-10), Norths Newcastle (17-10) and Kurri Kurri (13-7). 

Season Snapshot

• Future great Ron Bailey joined the Club, taking his side to the semi-finals as Captain-Coach. 
• The side reached the top of the table with two weeks remaining, finishing the regular season in second position. 
• Losing their last three matches, the season ended with a narrow 24-22 defeat to Eastern Suburbs.
• Canterbury reached the Semi-Final of the State Championships, defeated by eventual champions, Newtown. 

Debutants: Ron Bailey, Ron Knight, Tom Lyons, Bob Jackson

1942 - Premiers Again

Just a few years after the Club's initial triumph, Canterbury-Bankstown took home the Premiership trophy in the midst of World War II. 

Captain Ron Bailey relinquished his coaching duties, allowing him to flourish in an on-field leadership role, with Jerry Brien taking the helm. 

Still, the wartime effort affected clubs across the competition; Canterbury had to cancel training on some nights due to a lack of players, with many engaging in shift work and military duties. 

The classic case can be found with winger Edgar Newham, who, while restricted to just six matches due to his military duties, scored the most tries for the Club with eleven.

Canterbury faced Balmain for a play-off for the Minor Premiership, which was won in a high-scoring 26-20, six tries to four victory. Five of those tries were scored by Newham, a record only equalled by Nigel Vagana in 2002. 

As Minor Premiers, Canterbury had a second chance, and it was just as well after being blindsided by St George in the semi-finals, 25-10. 

After a tense wait ahead of the Grand Final to see the winner between St George and Easts in the final, with a rematch against the Dragons setting up a blockbuster finish to the season. 

Grand Final day arrived under grey skies, with the muddy turf at the Sydney Cricket Ground favouring Canterbury's rugged pack of forwards; and despite the atrocious conditions, a crowd of 26,171 braved the weather to witness the 11-9 victory. 

Season Snapshot

• Canterbury claimed their second Minor Premiership and Premiership double.
• Ron Bailey resigned as Coach, but remained as Captain, with Jerry Brien taking the clipboard as manager. 
• The Grand Final replay saw Canterbury defeat St George 11-9 in a muddy affair. 
• It proved to be a record year for the Club; financial returns were the largest ever, with players receiving a bonus almost double previously.
• The City Cup knock-out match against St George at Belmore set a suburban crowd record of 12,000 attendees.  
• Edgar Newham score a Club record five tries in the match in the play-off victory against Balmain. 

Debutants: George Elley, Charlie Simmatt, Jack Stewart, Tom Ezart, Tony Nash, Jim Hargreaves 

1943 - A Change of Outfit and Fortunes

Season 1943 was a forgetful one for the Club; their second Premiership title was backed up with a dismal 3-11 record - and their first wooden spoon.

The most notable mention of the season was the drastic change of the Club's jersey due to rationing of dyes and materials. 

Across the NSWRFL, clubs had changed their designs to assist in the wartime effort, with many moving from stripes to a chevron design, while foregoing colours such as white and blue. 

Because of this, Canterbury made the bold decision to run out in jerseys with a maroon base and sky blue chevron, one that was met with very little fanfare and success. 

While things got off on the right foot in Round 1 with a commanding 16-8 win over Easts, the season produced just two more victories; a win against Wests in Round 10 by the same scoreline, and a second win over their Bondi-based rivals in Round 14 (13-10).

Between that all was a tough eight-week losing streak from Round 2 to 9, while the State Championships saw Canterbury disposed of by Maitland, 20-6 in the first round. 

Season Snapshot

• The Club's first major jersey design change was made, going to a maroon base with a sky blue chevron. 
• Round 4, marked the first game as Captain for future Hall of Famer, Eddie Burns.
• The side managed just three wins; two against Easts and one against Wests, claiming their first wooden spoon. 
• Canterbury suffered an eight-match losing streak between Round 2 and Round 9.
• The State Championship campaign lasted just one match, downed 20-6 by Maitland in the opening round. 

Debutants: George Day, Lew Fisher, Bill Harris, Bill Shippen, Steve Zaccaria, Alan Woods, Elwyn Ryan, John Benson, William Isles, Russell Kelly, Charlie Jupp, Ray Power, Tom Small, Bill Anslow

1944 - From Bad to Worse

If things were bad in 1943, they were about to get a lot worse in 1944; the Club's first decade in the competition ending with back-to-back wooden spoons. 

Captain-Coach Ron Bailey was relieved from his duties after five consecutive losses, and while his on-field replacement Lin Johnson's first two outings resulted in victories - 25-18 against Easts and 22-12 against St George - a draw and a loss was all the side could muster for the rest of their campaign.

New caretaker coach Cec Fifield also came in to alleviate the pressure on Bailey, eventually taking over the role full-time from Round 8 onwards. 

While the season ended with a morale-boosting victory over Souths, 22-8, it was a forgetful end to the Club's first decade in the Premiership, one that had been relatively successful. 

Season Snapshot

• An unwanted record, Canterbury took home their second consecutive wooden spoon. 
• Lin Johnson took over the Captaincy from Ron Bailey from Round 5 onward, while caretaker Coach Cec Fifield joined Bailey before taking over full-time from Round 8.
• The team managed just three wins and a draw from their fourteen Premiership matches.
• Just one point separated them from Souths Newcastle in the first week of the State Championships.  

Debutants: Joe Donohue, George Kilham, Johnny Payne, Alan Watsford, Joe Wilson, John Anderson, Lennie Willan, Norm Young, Jim Collins, Ernie Bright, George Cook