RIP Denis Anderson

It is with heavy heart this afternoon I post this blog to announce that Denis Anderson has lost his battle with cancer and has unfortunately passed away.

Big D (what he was known as around the club) has been a volunteer at the club since the 1970s & has our dressing sheds at BankWest Stadium named after him.

Condolensces to Big Ds family & friends.

Terribly sad news and may he Rest In Peace.

Club statement:

It is with a heavy heart that the Parramatta Eels Club announces the passing of Life Member and Club legend, Denis “Big D” Anderson, at the age of 71. Denis had been battling cancer for the last 12 months and, unfortunately, passed away this afternoon, Wednesday 22 May, with his family by his side.

Denis started working with the club over 44 years ago and was involved at every level of the Eels footballing programs from the Junior Representative teams all the way through to our NRL team.

On countless weekends, Denis, having already been to the Club to collect the gear for the day, arrived early in the morning at a suburban ground to set up for the Eels Junior Representative games and ended that same day clearing out the dressing room after an NRL Game late at night. In many ways, Denis is the embodiment of what the Parramatta Eels Club has stood for in the game of Rugby League and the guardian of what it means to wear the Blue and Gold – Big D was the “heart & soul” of the Parramatta Eels.

Denis was named Clubman of the Year in 2013 and was made a Life Member of the Parramatta Eels in 2017. This year the Club created the ‘Denis Anderson Junior Club Person of the Year’ Award that will be awarded to the person that most embodies the spirit of the Blue and Gold within our Junior Representative Program.

Denis had been the long-time doorman for Parramatta Eels home games, yelling out his infamous call to arms as players made their way out of the dressing rooms “Parra’s in the tunnel!”

Fittingly on Easter Monday, the Eels dressing rooms at Bankwest Stadium were officially named the ‘Denis Anderson Rooms’ ensuring that Denis’ presence on Game Day remains for evermore at our new home.

On behalf of the Parramatta Eels we extend our deepest condolences to Denis’ family and friends.

The contribution Denis has made to the Parramatta Eels is immeasurable and the Club will honour his legacy at both the Panthers game tomorrow night and the Rabbitohs game next Friday.

Denis Anderson

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Replies

MontoEel May 22, 2019 at 4:10pm

Condolences to Big D's family and freinds
Garbage Binns May 22, 2019 at 4:10pm

Rest in piece what an absolute legend the heart and soul of the club!
Kramerica May 22, 2019 at 4:22pm

How fitting that Big D has part of the new ground named in his honour.

RIP legend. Blue & Gold forever.
Parra fan on The Hill May 22, 2019 at 4:51pm

RIP champ!
Parrafanalia May 22, 2019 at 4:51pm

.Condolences to all the Anderson family and Friends.Would anybody know if Denis originally came from Toongabbie?
hindburt May 22, 2019 at 4:52pm

Rest In Peace big D
Frank The Tank May 22, 2019 at 5:34pm

RIP to Big D and condolences to all his family and friends
Brett Allen May 22, 2019 at 6:03pm

RIP Champ
Vic May 22, 2019 at 6:07pm

Sounds like a top bloke. RIP Big D
colin hussey May 22, 2019 at 6:13pm

Never met him but all reports had him as a top bloke and ardent eels supporter and always there for them, black arm bands tomorrow night, and hope the players put in for a true supporter of the club.

DA, you will be missed, condolences to your family and freinds.