Story Update September 2024
Valuable information about South Sydney Fernleigh has come to light since this article was published almost 2 years ago including an image of the 1950 D Grade team with thanks to Scott Dempsey.
The program that I refer to has unfortunately been lost, if I can recover the file I’ll add it back to the story.
I have however, gathered quite a lot of feedback on the South Sydney Fernleigh. See images and text below.
Minor Premiers, my uncle is the inset photo.” Scott Dempsey.
“I grew up in Alexandria, and attended my first game as a 4 year old in 1947/8 and I have been a loyal “Bunny” since. I played some games for the South Sydney Fernleighs, who I don’t think exist any more.” Wayne Pride.
The late Ron Tubb a clever half back or five eight played for the South Sydney Fernleigh in 1951.
In 2022 Russell Robinson posted on Facebook “My father played for the Fernleighs in the late 40s early 50s, he’s 89 years old now.”
Neil Barber
My father Noel Barber was involved SS Fernleigh during the late 1940’s and early to mid 1950’s as a player and official and began refereeing in Souths Juniors during this time. Dads pride and joy was his Pewter mug (Photo attached) for being the clubs ‘Officials Champ’ in 1954 after beating others in the beach sprint – let’s just say Damien Cook would have had nothing to fear, Dads running style was unique – and in later years as a referee in various Country groups he became known as ‘Skippy’ – because he tended to hop about. Ad a referee coach he often used anecdotes of his experiences with Fernleigh – talked often of A grade games against Rovers and Kenso at Redfern I vs Al.
Dad was also heavily involved in junior football administration in Blayney (Gp 10) and Wagga (Gp 9) achieving life membership of both as a club secretary in Blayney, and League Secretary/Publicity Officer for Wagga JRL competition (Gp 9) during this time he was a close associate of Henry Morris when he was at Botany and later as President of Souths Juniors. I have the actual trophy and a photo of the engraving which I can send to you.
Souths Sydney Fernleigh
This is a story about a mysterious rugby league program. It features a team named South Sydney Fernleigh and another called Olympians. The program poses a few questions that I hope you can answer for Bunnies TV.
The first thing I’d like to know is what year were these South Sydney Junior Rugby League games played at Coogee Oval?
I’d also like to know the final scores of each match. I do however doubt that any record of those results survives today.
Where and What?
Next question on the list. Who were the South Sydney Fernleigh (Red and Green Bars) and what suburb did they play out of? What I can confirm is that South Sydney Fernleigh won the A Grade competition in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1957 & 1967. This means there’s a rich history of success in the South Sydney District associated with the club.
Additionally I found what could be a hint as to the origin of Fernleigh. In a ‘Pre-Rugby League Clubs’ article on the SSR Almanac – “In 1892 two rugby teams based around Moore Park, the Fernleigh and Richmond clubs, held a meeting and decided to merge into a single club called the Richmond club, wearing blue and white.”
Another club I’ve also never heard mentioned before is Cleveland Street Olympians (Maroon and Gold). A bit of a background story would help there too. There’s also a Cleveland Street team. These sides I remember as the ones I used to play against from the school representing Cleveland Street Boys High aka Clevo.
The other clubs mentioned here are more familiar but I have no idea if Redfern (Green, Red Fern Emblem) is associated with the Redfern All Blacks that still compete today.
The two clubs that are easily recognisable are Waterloo (Sky Blue & Gold Bars) and Kensington aka Kenso (White, Red V).
The Search For Answers
I’m certain that readers of this article will be able to tell me more about some of the players listed. The couple I spotted are T. Cocking on the bench for Waterloo ‘A’ who I reckon is the late Tom Cocking, Rabbitoh 1st grade player #454 and Kenso ‘C’ fullback K. Longbottom. I’m almost certain this is the late Souths legend Kevin ‘Lummy’ Longbottom #485.
I knew both Tom Cocking and Lummy and both were fantastic blokes. Tom in particular worked at the Rabbitohs when I played there and he was a wonderful clubman to be around.
Tom began his career at Souths in 1959 and Lummy 1961 so if I had to guess I’d say the program is from around 1956-58. Ironically if it does turn out to be 1957 then it’s the year that South Sydney Fernleigh would go on to win the A Grade competition.
Let’s hope you the reader can shed some light on a few of the questions posed here. If you can please leave your thoughts in the comments section of this article, send me a message on our socials or email stevem@bunniestv.au
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this updated version of the article.
By Steve Mavin – stevem@bunniestv.au
Hi Steve,
My father has been a Souths member for many years and remembers the Fernleighs. My husbands uncles played for the Fernleighs which would have been around late 40s- early 50s and my husband often saw them play. Unfortunately there is no one left alive who can give more information. The uncles were Jackie and Joey Frost and my husband and father would love more information about the team if anyone has any further information.
Hi Liz
Thanks for your comment, I will make the Fernleighs a project to re visit because it’s an interesting topic.
Hi Steve, my name is John Cowles and I played with South Sydney Fernleigs from 1961 D Grade 1962-64 A Grade. My my brother Ken played for souths and Fernleighs for many years. My memory of Fernleighs was that it was formed in and around the Moore Park.
There were many excellent players players who came from this area, one was Kevin Roberts, both as a player and referee.
We trained on Moore Park directly behind the old sports ground, our colors were Souths Red and Green green. I have other stories I can tell if you would like to hear them.
One is in 1963 the entire A grade team was made up of brothers. A still have a photo of the team which was published in the sydney evening news paper.
I hope my e-mail is of interest to you, please let me know if you like me to forward any to you,
John
Hi John very interesting mate thanks for this. Send me an email to stevem@bunniestv.au
Hi
My Father is an ex Fernleigh player. He played B gde in 1947 , A gde 1948, 1949
His Name is Raymond Judd he is 96 and lives on his own in Waterloo
Your dad is a living legend mate thanks for sharing it’s much appreciated.
I added this comment you made to the article and on Facebook Warren Thompson from ‘Chelsea Old Mates’ asked for more info on your dad? Here’s what he said – “If you click on the heading and keep scrolling it mentions Ray Judd as playing for South Sydney Fernleighs. It also says he is 96 years old and still lives in the district. Can anyone confirm that statement. Ray was my first coach at Chelsea in E grade. The Judd name is well known at Chelsea as several family members played for us.”
Any extra info about Ray or the family would be appreciated.
Hi Steve
My father Noel Barber was involved SS Fernleigh during the late 1940’s and early to mid 1950’s as a player and official and began refereeing in Souths Juniors during this time.
Dads pride and joy was his Pewter mug (Photo attached) for being the clubs ‘Officials Champ’ in 1954 after beating others in the beach sprint – let’s just say Damien Cook would have had nothing to fear, Dads running style was unique – and in later years as a referee in various Country groups he became known as ‘Skippy’ – because he tended to hop about. Ad a referee coach he often used anecdotes of his experiences with Fernleigh – talked often of A grade games against Rovers and Kenso at Redfern I vs Al.
Dad was also heavily involved in junior football administration in Blayney (Gp 10) and Wagga (Gp 9) achieving life membership of both as a club secretary in Blayney, and League Secretary/Publicity Officer for Wagga JRL competition (Gp 9) during this time he was a close associate of Henry Morris when he was at Botany and later as President of Souths Juniors.
I have the actual trophy and a photo of the engraving which I can send to you.
Thanks for sharing this story mate, it’s a perfect addition to the article. You have added some much needed extra information to what was originally a mystery to me and plenty of others.