This page pays homage to the best football team around.  Formed in 1946, The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have won 6 premierships (1972, 73, 76, 78, 87.  Runners up 1951, 57, 59, 68, 70, 82, 83, 95, 97.), the most recent back in 1996, which was the second year running that they had won the minor premiership (finishing top of the table), and although they won the minor premiership they lost the 1997 grand final to the Newcastle Knights in a nail biting game that was won by a stroke of luck in the dying seconds, for it had been a draw up until that point, with both teams tiring and a draw seeming imminent.  As much as i hate to say it, it was the best football game that i had seen (without manly winning) in a long time.  My only wish besides the obvious was that it didn't happen on my birthday.
Oh well...  that's footy.
 
 


Prime Minister Bob Hawke standing beside the victorious Manly players Paul Vautin and Noel Cleal.
The shield is the premiership shield presented to the winning team each year.


Here is a picture of the 1999, 12th placed Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.  Even though they only finished 12th, they put in a gutsy effort to come from last placed to 12th.  And hopefully next year we can again hold our title of the most consistent team in the game, as we used to be known.
 
 
 
 

Above you can see some of the legend of the game, Cliff Lyons - who at the age of 38 (?), still trains with a cigarette in one hand, and a schooner of beer in the other.  He is the best 5/8 in the game - no buts about it.  All these pretenders can try  but will never be able to wield the magic that Cliffy can.  And if you want to argue that, then answer this - why is it then, when Cliffy comes on field, the opposition close on him totally, but yet 90% of the time Manly scores?  And how many players do you know who were brought back out of retirement to play? It is a title well deserved.

    Another is the little Geoff Toovey, described as the best player in the game, pound for pound.   Born in 1969, "Tooves" mad his first grade debut in 1998 and he has done it all... Played for Australia, for New South Wales in the State of Origin Series, and won a premiership.  His determination is always incredible, never afraid to take on the big boys, and his leadership skills all make him a man to be admired.  his constant effort week in week out for a team that originally looked like it was going nowhere kept the team spirit alive.

    These are but two men. To go through them all would take forever with the like of Terry Hill, Steven Menzies, John Hopoate, Jim Sedaris, Neil Tierney, Owen Cunningham... the list goes on. And that is only the most recent players.  Others include Bob "Bozo" Fulton, Mal Reilly, Paul "Fatty" Vautin, Noel Cleal, Michael O'Conner, Des Hasler, Matthew Ridge, Ian Roberts, Danny Moore, Mark "Spud" Carroll, David "Cement" Gillespie...  all past players who have retired or moved on to other clubs.
There is a history of about 53 years associated with the club, and it is my hope we go on for a long time.

This image and some of this information comes from the Official Manly Warringah Sea Eagles web site located at http://www.seaeagles.com.au.     Go there... if any of my facts are wrong i am sorry.
Plus another good site to go to is one run by a family who are good friends of mine, despite being Newcastle Supporters.   I suggest you go there to find more people who are as passionate about their footy as i am.  The address is http://www.geocities.com/colosseum/park/9885
 

Here is the club jersy for 1999, and even though we didnt do as well as we could have, i wear it around with pride.
 

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Well, thats the number i want on my jersy...  Cliff Lyons