FORMER Taree United Rugby League Club players, committee members and supporters will meet at the club's spiritual home, the Poplars Lounge (aka The Waterfront Room) at the Exchange Hotel on Saturday eventing evening for the club's second full reunion.
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The Greens, as they were known (or for a short while in the 1970s, the Unicorns), played locally from 1960 to 1994. For much of that time the club was a powerhouse, winning six first grade premierships, (1971, 73/74/77/83 and 85), nine reserve grade titles and 13 under 18 premierships.
More than 300 are expected to attend. Some will first head to the Jack Neal Oval - the scene of some of the club's most famous victories, for the Group Three game between Taree City and the Old Bar Pirates before adjourning to the Poplars.
Organising committee spokesman Kevin Hardy - the most successful first grade coach in the club's history - said a number of players from United's formative years will be attending.
"Les Tisdell, Darby Hardy, Pat Northam and George McCartney from the 1960 team will be there,'' he said.
"Tom Jukes, the captain-coach in 1961 said he's coming and so did Jock Daley, who coached in 1963.''
There'll be a strong representation of first grade coaches. The four who guided United to premierships - Ron Boden in 1971, Kevin Hardy in 73/74 and 77, Jim Brown in 83 and Tony Clifton in 85 are sure starters.
Ex-players will travel from throughout NSW and interstate.
A number of members of the last side to wear the club's colours, the premiership winning under 18 team of 1994 will be there along with the coach, Terry McCartney, a United junior who later played first grade with Canterbury.
An organising committee comprising Errol Ruprecht, Kevin Hardy, Ken Bourke, Con Berry and Max Coggan met for the first time earlier this year to plan the reunion. There are plans to run a lower profile get-together each year in similar fashion to once bitter rivals, Taree Old Bar's muster day.
The muster will also be held tomorrow at Taree Leagues and Sports Club starting at noon. This is also open to anyone who had an association with the club.