1987 Magpies Max Lambe, Lee Merritt, Martin Cahill and Wayne Budden at last weekend's reunion.
Memories of the 1987 first grade win against Narromine were relived last weekend as part of the Forbes Rugby League Club’s 25 year first grade premiership anniversary.
A film of the first grade premiership win was played at the Forbes Sports and Recreation Club for the returning team members on Friday evening to help mark the start of the 25th celebrations.
Co-ordinator of the event Martin Cahill described the weekend as being “fantastic”.
As part of the celebrations team members returned to the scene of their victory, Spooner Oval, to support the current first grade side, who coincidently played and defeated Narromine 54-0, before heading out for an anniversary dinner on Saturday night at the Services Club.
Mr Cahill said all players from the premiership team were able to return to Forbes for the weekend, with only one player, Glen Merritt, missing the celebrations due to other commitments.
Former captain / coach Ted Goodwin was amongst those who returned to Forbes but was only able to attend the Friday evening function due to family commitments.
Mr Cahill named the viewing of the premiership game as a highlight of the weekend with the former players reliving the game’s memories.
“There was a lot of interest in that … some of the boys told me that they didn’t know the copy existed,” he said.
Following dinner on Saturday evening Mr Cahill and several other players were invited onto the stage to answer questions on rugby league today and describe how the game has changed.
The 1987 premiership team were also joined by the 1992 Under 18s Magpies team who celebrated their 20th anniversary since defeating Narromine in the junior grand final.
Mr Cahill said the anniversary reunion was the first time the players had all been back together again.
“Some of these guys I haven’t seen for 25 years and we were talking like it was yesterday,” he said.
“Once you have been through something together like that, you have always got this bond, even 25 years after.
“You still feel like you are part of the team.”
Mr Cahill said when the idea to have a reunion was initially broached he wondered if any of them would even be interested in returning.
“They couldn’t wait. They are all talking about having another one down the track.
“We thought the best time to have one would be the next time Forbes wins a competition, thinking that wouldn’t be far down the track, but it may be 30 years [instead],” he said.
Mr Cahill thanked the Forbes Rugby League Club for all of their support during the weekend.
