The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles proudly launched their 2015 heritage jersey this morning on Dee Why Beach with some of the very men who wore the jersey that this year’s design is styled upon.
Bob Lennon, Bob Thompson, David Knox, Michael Simmons, Nick Yakich, Barney McEvoy, Fred Yakich and Bill Bradstreet all worn the famous white Sea Eagles on their chest during the 1960’s and we’re proud to once again be pulling on the jersey.
They were joined by current Sea Eagles players Josh Starling and Dunamis Lui who got to know just how difficult the old woolen jersey’s were to play in.
“It was good to hear some stories about the old jersey and how when the old Eagle on the front got wet, it got slippery. It’s printed nowadays so it shouldn’t happen to us on the weekend hopefully,” Lui said.
“I really like it. It’s always good to remember a successful part of the Club’s history and I’m pretty pumped to wear it,” Starling said.
“Hopefully we do the former players justice every time we wear it.”
ORDER YOUR 2015 HERITAGE JERSEY TODAY HERE
The Yakich brothers are two of those players.
Fred and Nick were both speedy backs in the era of thick woolen jerseys, but sadly haven’t had a Manly jersey to call their own until today, thanks to the Sea Eagles Merchandise team.
Although for very different reasons as Fred explained.
“My wife decided to wash everything one day and so all my footy jumpers were on the line. We went out, someone came in that day and they were all stolen,” Yakich said.
“I was disappointed as to me it was a Sea Eagles jumper and that was it. If it was brown, pink, it didn’t matter.”
Nick on the other hand, still knew who had his jerseys but was just as happy to have one to call his own once more.
“I’ve given all my [original] jerseys away to my sons; they’ve each got one. I’ve got nothing now except this one, which I’ll proudly wear once again,” Nick Yakich said.
“I remember the big eagle on there, it was nice and smooth but I was just proud to wear the Eagle each week.”
The Sea Eagles will be wearing the jersey tomorrow night against the Dragons and then again against the Bulldogs (Round 7), Tigers (Round 15), Cowboys (Round 19) and Eels (Round 24)
Members and supporters can purchase theirs by heading to the Sea Eagles Superstore on Federal Parade in Brookvale (opposite the Manly Leagues Club) or by calling them on (02) 9939 3889
As for what the old boys thought of the current crop and their coach
“I think Manly’s got a terrific team. I think Geoff is a terrific coach and we’ve bought at lot of young guys up, so he can continue doing the same with this opportunity I think.”
