Eels Blogs

THE PARRAMATTA EELS, March of the Blue and Golds celebrates the life and times of one of the great clubs of rugby league. This long awaited book with over 300 photos and almost 300 pages, is a kaleidoscope of events and emotions ... of the glory days, the struggles, the legends of the game and of those who have given their soul to the Eels.

The journey began in 1947, in the shadows of the Second World War; the new club filled a gap as the population of Sydney spread westwards and quickly established itself as a worthy member of the rugby league family.

Today the club stands as a monument to the game, one of the power bases in a flourishing code.

Through author Neil Cadigan’s intimate knowledge and passion for the Eels, this book is rich in history and compelling in its story telling, bringing to life the early struggles, the premierships, the grand finals and the stories of the modern Eels, the likes of Nathan Cayless, Nathan Hindmarsh, Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne and so many more in a year by year look at the Eels’ 55 seasons.

It’s also a story of broken dreams, but never of broken spirits.

There have been so many fine and notable moments, along with some never before told insights:

• The early years of struggle at Cumberland Oval and the development of the leagues club
• The mighty Thornett era of the 1960s
• The day Bob “The Bear” O’Reilly cried the happiest tears of his life after the Eels won their first premiership in 1981
• The day Peter Sterling came to the Eels and became a legend
• The intensely motivated Ray Price who played in every premiership winning Eels team and grand final side from 1976-86
• The premierships – 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1986 - and the Jack Gibson era. How he turned Parramatta into the slickest outfit in the game
• The stunning recovery of 1997-2002, unrewarded with a premiership but oh so close
• The story of how Brian Smith had to forgo some of his own income to free himself from Bradford to take on the Eels, and why his successful reign finished with such anguish
• The rise and fall of the controversial, but always Eels-passionate, former CEO Denis Fitzgerald

The Blue and Gold Army have been there for the journey, loyal and expectant that each season will bring its rewards and ultimately the next premiership.

This compelling coffee-table book will take you through a labyrinth of excitement and achievement, a revealing story told with passion and integrity.

RRP (Standard edition) - $49.95. Special leatherbound edition - $295

Special leatherbound limited edition features:

• An exclusive print run of just 400 copies
• Each numbered and personally signed by Eels legends, Peter Sterling, Ray Price, Steven Edge, Nathan Cayless, Nathan Hindmarsh and Jarryd Hayne.
• Beautifully presented and bound in “Parramatta blue” leather;
• Gold blocked with a yellow silk ribbon marker, the edition also comes with a special slipcase
• This edition will end at 400 and can never be repeated.
• Never again will such an edition contain the names and signatures of these Parramatta legends.
• A collector’s edition at just $295 (including gst).

TO ORDER VISIT THE BGA HQ STORE AT 2 GROSE ST, PARRAMATTA OR CALL (02) 8843 0302