Last night at the Hall of Fame dinner I had the delight last night of sitting next to two wonderful gentleman, Derek and Russell - both long-time Eels supporters who grew up watching the club in the sixties and are die-hards in the truest sense of the word. They’ve been in attendance at just about every famous Parramatta match you can recall, and I had a great time not just hearing their stories but also hearing them exchange memories with some of our greats from the past. However, one story certainly stood out.
Derek asked Mick Cronin about a friend of his, who claimed that he had helped the Crow get past an accident that had threatened to stop him getting to the 1986 grand final on his way up from Gerringong. Mick told Derek that yes, he remembered the incident vividly and that he regretted that he never had the opportunity to properly say thank you. Had it not been for this gentleman’s assistance, Mick may never have gotten to that history-making grand final. He asked Derek if he still kept in contact with him, and Derek said that while he didn’t see him regularly anymore, he believed he could get in contact with him again. So Mick pulls out a couple of fifty dollar notes, gives them to Derek and asks him to pass it on and thank his friend and have a couple of drinks on him. He said it was a “bucketlist” opportunity to pass on his thanks to the stranger for his kindness, with Derek noting he was an ardent Wests fan, who regularly reminded him that he’d played his part in Parramatta winning a grand final.
You don’t have to spend long with Mick Cronin, to understand just why he’s so universally held in such high regard and esteem and it was a story I just had to share with my 1Eyed brethren.
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Russ goes to every game sitting in Cronin concourse.
Great story one eyed, just another reason why he was voted the Legend of Parramatta.
Phil im very confused with who Derek and Russell are, you say they were 'forwards' for us, who are they and when did they play? surely Derek would be an eels fan, but you state he is a wests fan? are they players or fans or both?
Then im confused with Russells part in getting Mick to the game, and who was the money from mick for?
This is not your best work Phil lol.
It was Derek's unnamed friend, a Wests supporter who helped Cronin. Come on Snake, keep up. Buggered if I know what the forwards bit was about. Maybe Phil is not used to putting in such a short post.
Does your wife know about this Phil?
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