FOR many winters he was the voice of Group Three Rugby League.
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For those who couldn’t attend the game, Sunday afternoon meant listening to Marshall Loadsman’s concise call on Radio 2RE. He was an at times controversial figure, his views getting him offside with players, officials and particularly supporters in an era when plenty of people took their local footy very seriously. They didn’t always agree with him. But they still tuned in every Sunday at 3pm to listen to his description of the match of the day.
He was a caller par excellence. Marshall knew the game, the players and he could vividly describe the tries and tackles and the drama to his thousands of listeners.
Marshall called his last game for 2RE at the conclusion of the 1986 grand final, although he has remained closely associated with the game in the years since as a committee member with the Men of League, while he’s also been involved with a number of other sports, particularly power boats.
Marshall had a stroke a few weeks back at his Tuncurry home. He’s currently in Manning Hospital after a stay in the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. On Saturday in conjunction with Taree United’s annual Christmas get-together at the Manning Hotel there’ll be a fund raiser to assist Marshall in his recovery.
This will start at 3pm and anyone can attend. All proceeds will go to the Marshall Loadsman trust account. Taree United Reunion Committee, Taree Old Bar Reunion Committee and the Taree Old Boys have all donated to the trust.
There are initial plans for a further fund raiser to be held early next year, run by the Men of League Mid North Coast Branch and other groups.