The Lean Years: 1955-1964 /

The 1950s and early 1960s was a forgettable period for the Club, but still had a number of highlights.

• 1955 - Hey Takes the Reins
• 1956 - An Empire Begins
• 1957 - Another Drop
• 1958 - Groundhog Day
• 1959 - Captain Davies
• 1960 - Burns Returns
• 1961 - The Hangover
• 1962 - Pre-Season Champs
• 1963 - Churchill Chimes In, Johns Joins Canterbury
• 1964 - Bottom Dwellers

1955 - Hey Takes the Reins 

Despite another change of Coach and Captain with legend Vic Hey and the great Ray Gartner appointed, the side unfortunately fell further down the competition table.

Ending the season in ninth position with only four wins to their name, Canterbury's only conquests came in Round 3 against Norths (19-17) before a hat-trick of wins against Balmain (15-9), Parramatta (13-8) and Wests (9-6) from Round 8 to 10. 

Season Snapshot

• Ray Gartner, in his third season at the Club, was appointed Captain.
• International Vic Hey was appointed Coach.
• The side finished in ninth place with just four wins.
• The highlight of the season came in the form of a hat-trick of wins between Round 8 and Round 10. 

Debutants: Graeme Barclay, Jack Bowman, Roy Freedbody, Mick McGee, Jack Williams, Peter Hayes, Kevin Bennett, Joe Palmer, Ron Dewey, Mick Downey, Ron Thornton

1956 - An Empire Begins

While on-field results were hard to come by, off of the field the Club made arguably its greatest move with the opening of the Canterbury League Club in September of that year. 

Following Illawarra, St George and Manly and after a meeting of football club members, Canterbury officials set off to find a suitable building, agreeing to a £200 holding deposit for an old boot factory art Belmore.

However, a block of land became available in Collins Street, closer to the Station on what had once been a Salvation Army Hall. At the cost of £1750, the hall became the very first venue of the Canterbury League Club. 

The old Salvation Army Hall contained a bedroom and a kitchen, and just enough room after some renovations to hold between 40 and 50 patrons on a busy night. 

As the side finished in an improved seventh position with six wins, following the appointment of International Col Geelan as Captain. 

For a second year running the side completed a hat-trick of victories, this time against Parramatta (20-2), South Sydney (20-19) and North Sydney (18-17).

That one-point victory over Souths in Round 15 proved to be the highlight of the season against the Club who had won four of the last five Premiership titles. 

Season Snapshot 

• The Canterbury League Club is formed in September, 1956.
• International Col Geelan is appointed Captain.
• On the field, the team finished in seventh with six wins.
• Another hat-trick of wins is the highlight of the year, which includes a 20-19 win over Souths in Round 15. 

Debutants: Col Geelan, Eric Gilligan, John Kell, Charlie McAlpine, Les McDermott, Alan Lynch, Albert Paul, Brian Rose, Colin Wells, Paul Lawson, Bill Petley, Clive Gartner

1957 - Another Drop

With just three wins and a draw, 1957 marked another year in ninth spot, doing just enough to avoid the wooden spoon.

But Canterbury still managed to be a thorn in the side of the top dogs of the competition, highlighted with a 5-all draw against eventual Grand Finalists Manly at Belmore in Round 5. 

Another change in the ranks came with Col Geelan now appointed Captain-Coach with the departure of Vic Hey. 

Season Snapshot

• The results continue to wane with a ninth-placed finish with three wins and a draw.
• Col Geelan becomes Captain-Coach.
• A 5-all draw with Manly is the highlight of the season.

Debutants: Don Kerr, Tom Shiner, Rex Beath, Charlie Donovan, Noel Ryan, Alan Watkins, Barry Owens, Denis Dooley, Doug Gibbs, Noel Morgan

1958 - Groundhog Day 

It seemed to be a case of Groundhog Day for Canterbury in the late 1950s, with another change in Coach and Captain, and another ninth-placed finish.

In 1958, former player Cec Cooper was appointed as first-grade Coach, while Ray Gartner and Ken Rowlands shared Captaincy duties throughout the season.

Four wins and a draw was the final result from the season, and miraculously once again, it was an 8-all draw against semi-finalists Manly in Round 8 that proved to be the on-field highlight. 

On a personal note, hooker Fred Anderson enjoyed his first cap for New South Wales, wearing the no.9 for the Blues in the 25-14 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground. 

Season Snapshot

• Former player Cec Cooper takes up the mantle as Head Coach.
• Ray Gartner and Ken Rowlands share captaincy duties throughout the year. 
• In another poor season, Canterbury finish in ninth position with four wins and a draw. 
• Another draw against Manly is the highlight of the year, this time 8-all.
• Hooker Fred Anderson makes his debut for New South Wales. 

Debutants: Kevin Brown, Vince Everingham, Pat Fitzgerald, Bill Owens, Ken Rowlands, Reg Cooper, Mick Vaughan, John Russell, Bob Ambrose, Ken Peet, Don McIntyre

1959 - Captain Davies

Realising a need for change, Canterbury sought out international recruits Brian Davies and Ross Kite, with the former named Captain. 

While a slight improvement on the last two seasons, it seemed like the 'Berries' were consigned to ninth place, with five wins and a draw edging them ahead of Parramatta.

This time, however, the highlight came in a victory against Grand Finalists Manly, prevailing 12-7 in Round 11, with Kite scoring in the five-point win. 

There was also some joy in the lower grades, with the reserve grade side reaching the preliminary final, while third grade reached the semi-finals. 

Season Snapshot

• Canterbury sign Internationals Brian Davies and Ross Kite, with Davies named as Captain. 
• Another ninth-placed finish comes with five wins and a draw. 
• A 12-7 victory over Grand Finalists Manly proves to be the season highlight. 
• The lower grades enjoy some mild success with reserve grade reaching the preliminary final and third grade reaching the semi-finals. 

Debutants: Kevin Cox, Brian Davies, Ross Kite, Arthur Fenwick, Dick McDermott, Noel Collie, Dick Pickett, Brian Thornton, Joe Bassett, Lloyd White

1960 - Burns Returns

The return of Club Legend Eddie Burns as Head Coach proved to be an inspirational move to begin the new decade. 

Canterbury shot from ninth place into fourth place after a playoff, with their first semi-finals appearance since 1947 with twelve wins and a draw.

The team's form also earned them their first Match of the Day at the Sydney Cricket Ground in seven years, defeating eventual Grand Finalists Easts 14-10 in Round 12. 

Burns' boys also strung together a four-match winning streak from Round 10, defeating Norths (22-12), Wests (20-10), the aforementioned win over Easts and defeating Balmain (15-5). 

However, Easts would exact revenge to reach the decider with a 16-9 win at the Sports Ground, ending the most promising season in over a decade for the Club.

Season Snapshot

• Club legend Eddie Burns is appointed Head Coach a decade after his retirement from playing. 
• Canterbury reach the finals for the first time since 1947. 
• The team finishes in fourth place with twelve wins and one draw.
• Canterbury play their first Match of the Day at the SCG in seven years, defeating eventual Grand Finalists Easts 14-10 in Round 12
• Between Round 10 and 13 the side enjoyed a four-match winning streak. 

Debutants: Col Brown, Ron Dick, Pat Wilde

1961 - The Hangover

Much like previous years, a great season was followed with a disappointing year. 

The team failed to qualify for the semi-finals, finishing in eighth position with six wins and a draw. The side's form against heavyweights Manly continued, with a 16-5 win in Round 10.

Off the field, one of the men responsible for Canterbury's admission into the Sydney competition, Life Member Barney Russell passed away. From 1941-1949, Russell was the Club's Secretary, overseeing a Premiership in 1942 and a Grand Final in 1947. 

Season Snapshot

• Canterbury failed to qualify for the finals, finishing in eighth position with six wins and a draw. 
• Another win over Manly was the highlight, with a 16-5 scoreline at Belmore. 
• Life Member and former Secretary Barney Russell passed away during the year. 

Debutants: Col Oates, Bob McWilliams, Ken Dawson, Alan Smith, Bob Laut, Peter Atkinson, Barry Smith, Graham Tunks, Dick Mulheron, Ern McLean

1962 - Pre-Season Champs

While they failed to make the semi-finals, Canterbury came away with silverware as the winner of The Preseason Cup.

Starting with a dominant 21-6 win over Parramatta in the opening match, close losses to Norths and Wests were compounded by an 11-5 victory against Souths at Redfern to propel Canterbury into the semi-finals. 

Eddie Burns' side then defeated Manly 10-7 - an ongoing theme of the era - to meet West in the Final.

Tries to John Conna and Barry Smith as well as four goals to winger Dick Mulheron did the trick, landing the Club's first title since their 1942 Premiership triumph. 

Their winning form bled into the early parts of the first-grade competition, winning four of their opening six matches, including a hat-trick against Easts, Balmain and Manly in Rounds 2-4. 

However, bad habits crept in mid-season, with the side finishing in sixth place while ending the year on a high with back-to-back wins against Norths and Parramatta. 

Burns retired from his post at the end of the season following three inconsistent seasons at the helm. 

Season Snapshot

• Canterbury claimed their first Preseason Cup, defeating Wests 14-10 in the Final. 
• The season begins with four wins from the opening six matches. 
• Highlight of the season includes a 6-all draw and a 9-8 win over semi-finalists Parramatta. 
• The season finishes in sixth place with seven wins and two draws. 
• Head Coach Eddie Burns retires from his role at the end of season.

Debutants: John Conna, Doug Hambilton, Jim Matthews, Roger Sheedy, Laurie Neale, Tom Cooper, Roger Ward, Ray Beavan

1963 - Churchill Chimes In, Johns Joins Canterbury

Just four years after retiring from the game, legendary fullback Clive Churchill was appointed Head Coach of first-grade.

However, the diminutive fullback would not be able to replicate the glittering success of his playing career at South Sydney with Canterbury, with an eight-placed finish. 

Despite starting well with five wins and a draw from the opening eight matches, Churchill's Canterbury side ended the season with just a solitary victory in their last ten games. 

A gritty 4-all draw in Round 8 against seven-time Premiers St George at the Sydney Cricket Ground was a highlight, with fullback Tom Cooper kicked two goals. 

Despite the unfavourable result, there was certainly promise for the Club heading into the thick of the 1960s; the second grade finished Minor Premiers, while thirds reached the Grand Final. 

Meanwhile, a young blonde-haired fullback called Les Johns, hailing from Newcastle much like Churchill, made his first-grade debut in the opening match, kicking five goals in the 19-9 win over Souths. 

Season Snapshot

• Australian international and Souths Legend Clive Churchill is appointed first grade coach.
• The great Les Johns makes his debut for the Club in Round 1, kicking five goals in the 19-9 victory over Souths.
• The season starts well with five wins and a draw in the opening eight matches, only to finish poorly with a sole victory in the last ten weeks.
• Canterbury finishes in eighth position with six wins and a draw. 
• A 4-all draw against St George proves to be a major highlight of the season. 
• The Club's lower grades perform well, with reserve grade finishing as Minor Premiers and third grade reaching the Grand Final.

Debutants: John Burns, Les Johns, Kevin Neal, Doug McManus, Kevin Goldspink, Don Hobson, Terry Johnston, Rod Pilon, Alan Ross, Ray Newton, Heinz Blume

1964 - Bottom Dwellers

After so many near-misses, the dreaded wooden spoon finally fell in the laps of Canterbury, with just a solitary win from their eighteen matches.

To add insult to injury, the reserve grade team also finished with the wooden spoon. 

In a bright spot, Future Hall of Famer John Greaves, joining from St George, joined the Club. The scintillating centre scored three tries in his nine matches in his debut season in Blue and White. 

The dismal season marked the end of Churchill's tenure at the Club, with Eddie Burns returning as Head Coach ahead of 1965. 

Season Snapshot

• Team has a poor season winning only one game and a draw finishing the season with the wooden spoon.
• Reserve grade finish the season with the wooden spoon. 
• Former St George player John Greaves joins the Club. 
• Clive Churchill hands the head coaching reins to Eddie Burns for the 1965 season.

Debutants: Bernie De Witt, Colin Goldspink, Ralph Harding, Paul Hassab, Leo Toohey, Keith Glen, Roger Pearman, Arthur Connell, Dennis Ward, John Greaves, Dick Wells, Les Boyle