Calling all old boys and fans of the mighty Magpies!
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There's just over a week until the Forbes Magpies host a reunion celebrating 100 years of rugby league in Forbes.
On Saturday June 8 league lovers, from those who are still local to those who have since left the nest, will flock to Forbes to remember the highs and lows of club history.
There's no doubt there'll be plenty to reminisce about.
Forbes' first rugby league club formed at a meeting on April 16, 1920.
Patron of that first committee was Mr J Foreman; president Mr George White; secretaries R Gunn and J Touhey; and treasurer F Prior.
Competition football began here in 1921, between the Forbes Federals, Eugowra, Our Boys and Calarie.
The major competitions in those years were the Jack Hore Gold Cup and the Johnnie Walker Cup: the 1935 Forbes team held them both.
Forbes entered the Group 11 competition in 1932, and that became the primary, two-grade, competition in 1936.
It wasn't until 1958 that Forbes claimed a Group 11 premiership, but the 1946 grand final loss was controversial and the Advocate reported "many feel the 1946 side should have been the first to win a Group 11 premiership after being beaten by Wellington in a grand final replay, 11-4".
The first match had finished 6-all under controversial circumstances, the Advocate of the day reported.
A special train was organised to convey fans to the rematch.
Forbes has gone on to claim its share of first grade premierships in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1977, 1987, 2016 and 2018.
In addition to team honours, there's a long list of individual league talent associated with the Forbes club.
As early as the 1930s, Archie Crippin was chosen to play on the wing for Australia.
It was 1936 and Crippin was just two years out of school, on the verge of a brilliant playing career.
His time at the top was all too brief with a shoulder injury forcing retirement in 1938. He had played three tests against Great Britain.
The honour roll of Australian representatives in the years that followed includes Darcy Henry, Ian Walsh, Ron Lynch, Ted Goodwin and international referee Jack Bradley.
The reunion is on Saturday June 8 at the Forbes Services Memorial Club from midday right through the afternoon, wrapping up about 5 or 6pm.
Guest speakers include former Australian rugby league and Balmain Tigers forward Paul Sironen, NRL star Willie Mason and Parkes' Australian women's player Talesha Quinn - more on those players appeared in last Friday's edition.
Tickets are $120 per person, they are available online through 123tix.com.au or at the Forbes Post Office Hotel.
if you would like to organise a table of 10 you can send a message to the Forbes Magpies Rugby League Facebook page or contact Matt - 0488622888; Andrew - 0419277334; or Greg - 0400755216.
Final numbers are needed by Monday June 3.
Sunday sees the annual June long weekend trip north to Parkes to take on our traditional arch rivals, the Parkes Spacemen.
This story compiled with the assistance of Forbes Family History Group records and past editions of the Forbes Advocate: our thanks for the Family History Group's work.
