GREAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY AT GOODNA
The first time I heard mention of the Ipswich suburb of Goodna, was when other kids told me, that’s where you finish up, if you go crazy. I was living […]
Author Archives: SteveRicketts
FLASHBACK: August, 1950
FLASHBACK AUGUST 1950 Great Britain’s unhappy Southern Hemisphere tour finished with a 20-13 loss to New Zealand in the Second Test at Auckland’s Carlaw Park, giving the Kiwis a 2-0 […]
BRITAIN TO BRITTANY TO GERMANY
TRAVEL Recently, a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I should write a book. I’m not in […]
DIARY UPDATE: Week 48, 2019
DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 48 2019 MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 The funeral of our former neighbour, Susan Andersen (nee Biggs) at Little Flower Church, Kedron proves a […]
THE FIGHT FOR LIBERATION
TRAVEL A 2011 Rugby Union World Cup match between France and Wales was being played, but you wouldn’t have known it, as the people of Villeneuve-sur-Lot went about their daily […]
THE GUNSYND BAR
Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium boasts many fine hospitality suites, but there is nothing to compare with the ‘Gunsynd Bar’ in the old Frank Burke Stand, at what was called Lang Park […]
THIS WAS NO COMMON RIDING
TRAVEL Recently, a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20, he said I should write a book. I’m not in […]
DIARY UPDATE: Week 47, 2019
DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 47 2019 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Former Valleys’ premiership winning halfback, Ross Threlfo has died, aged 77, in a nursing home at Ballina […]
FLASHBACK: July 1975
JULY 1975 Queensland Rugby League Chairman, Senator Ron McAuliffe called for the Maroons to be included as a separate entity, in future international tournaments, after they came within an ace […]
DIARY UPDATE: Week 46, 2019
DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 46 2019. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Bush-fire smoke has cleared enough to be able to see Broken Head for the first time, from […]
A WEDDING IN THE PARK
TRAVEL Recently, a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I should write a book. I’m not in […]
WHAT A LOAD OF TRIPE
TRAVEL Roanne was once a power house in rugby league, with the funds to buy rugby union superstars, such as Jean Barthe and Aldo Quaglio, both regarded as the best […]
THE GREATEST DERBIES?
It is one of my great regrets, and yes, there have been a few, that I never had the chance to attend a Wigan v St Helens derby match in […]
A CHANGE OF MIND ABOUT FREDDY
I must confess to having under-estimated Brad Fittler, when he was thrown into a leadership role during the Super League War in the 1990s. To me, he wasn’t a great […]
DIARY UPDATE: Week 45, 2019
DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 45 2019 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Remembrance Day is observed with respect, as I shop in Coles, Lutwyche after a medical appointment at 10.15 […]
FLASHBACK: July, 1950
July 1950 Things turned ugly on Great Britain’s tour of Australia, with Queensland, in particular, accused of being poor hosts, after a controversial Second Test at the Gabba. It even […]
DIARY UPDATE: Week 44, 2019
DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 44 2019 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4 On the eve of the Melbourne Cup, Radio TAB’S John McCoy takes a shot at ‘idiot parents’ […]
WHITE CHRISTMAS IN TIPPERARY
TRAVEL Recently, a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and/or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I should write a book. I’m not in […]
DIARY UPDATE: Week 43, 2019
DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 43 2019 MONDAY, OCTOBER 28 Murwillumbah Brothers’ rugby league stalwart, Bill Carroll receives positive feedback from those who attended yesterday’s reunion for […]
FLASHBACK: July 1960
JULY 1960 The last rugby league Test played at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds proved an embarrassment for the French touring side, which capitulated 56-6 to the Keith Barnes’ captained Australia. […]
