Newtown Rugby League Football Club - 1908-2008
VB NSW Cup Grand Final
Newtown Jets Vs Wentworthville [Parramatta]

"Congratulations are extended to all Newtown players, coaching staff, committee and members to the only Foundation Club that will be playing in the Centenary Grand Final.
Best wishes for a successful and memorable game.
I always wear my Newtown clothing with pride but this week will be extra special.
Once again well done."

From Phillip Dorsett, in Scarborough, Queensland.

Kevin Considine, a member of the Newtown first grade grand final teams in 1954-55, rang to wish coach Greg Matterson and the 2008 Jets team every success in Sunday's grand final.
He said that the good wishes of former Newtown players right across Australia would be with the boys in the NSW Cup Grand Final.

Kevin Considine played for Newtown 1951 to 1961.

"Good luck to the Newtown Jets for next Sunday."

From Les Motto and Steve Bowden, two Newtown legends of the late 1970s-early 1980s.

"CONGRATULATIONS! Please pass my regards on to Matto and the boys and best of luck in the Big One. I'll be wearing my Royal Blue Jets T-shirt on the day.
Go The JETS."

From Bulimba, Queensland, Shane Kelly, former St George front-rower who played with Newtown from 1992 to 1994.

"Boys, congratulations to you all in taking your great club through to the 2008 VB NSW Cup Grand Final! I would like to wish you well on Sunday and will be out there to enjoy what I'm sure will be a great game of rugby league."

From Mike Keech, Balmain Tigers DRLFC.

"Congratulations to my beloved Newtown Jets on making the NSWRL Grand Final 2008.
Good luck for the game.
I will be here in sunny Queensland watching the boys on the tele on Sunday........I just wish I was back down there in Sydney to see it!!
Go the Mighty Newtown Jets!"

From Mick Cooper, Newtown supporter, Queensland.

"Please pass on my sincere congratulations to the committee, players and coaching staff for the great effort in making the 2008 Grand Final in this important centenary year.
It must be very rewarding to Barry , Terry , yourself and all of the other people who have taken the club from near obscurity to being 80 minutes away from another premiership.
Well done - and go the mighty Bluebags!"

From Peter Foreman, Newtown RLFC 1968-1971.

"Congratulations to everyone at Newtown....a fantastic achievement thus far for the Jets. What a superb climax to the Centenary year! That Sean Rudder always was a good 'un. Best wishes from all of us for the big day....above all else, enjoy the atmosphere!
All the best"

From Alex Service, Official Historian, St Helens RLFC.

"My happiest years supporting the Jets were during the Metropolitan Cup years, and seeing the Jets up against Wenty has brought it all back.
I'll be thinking of the lads AND their great fans, so do keep me up to date with the result."

From Craig Wilson, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

"Well we've made it! And most of all through a fantastic team effort, both on and off the field.
We're one win away from making this a truly momentous year.
To all Newtown players best wishes and good luck and make us, your supporters and backers, truly proud of your efforts. We know you will.
One thing about Newtown after 100 years is we're still MAKING history and not just being a part of history.
Up the BLUES!"

From Craig and Sara Leonard, long-time Bluebags supporters.

"Please pass on my congratulations to all at the club on their efforts in getting us to the 2008 Grand Final. Here's hoping Sunday will be 'jedan bas sretan dan' ("a very lucky day") for the 'plave kese' (Blue Bags)."

From David Benham, in Zagreb, Croatia, Newtown supporter and former club Director.

"On behalf of the Maggies we wish Newtown all the best on Sunday.
If we can't be there then I would prefer Newtown to take the prize over anyone else.
I hope you can take home the prize on Sunday. Everyone in the Western Suburbs camp will be willing you home."

From Kevin Hammond, CEO, Western Suburbs RLFC.

"Congratulations on a great year and the best of luck for this Sunday."

From all at the Parkes Leagues Club and the Parkes Spacemen RLFC.

"Just bought my tickets to the Grand Final tonight. The last Grand Final I went to was in 1981 when my brother and I slept outside the SCG to run and save good seats for my family!! I'm an old Newtown cheergirl but I've hung up my pom poms. Went out to Campbelltown last Sunday - best of luck Jets - you're all winners in my book!"

From Leisa Curtis, former Newtown cheergirl.

"Ron Madden played with Newtown in the late 1940s after seeing active service in World War II and being "demobbed" in late 1945.
He is now 85 years old but still walks around Erskineville and Newtown every day and is particularly delighted to see the Newtown Jets in the 2008 NSW Cup Grand Final.
Ron asked me to extend his good wishes to all the officials, coaching staff and players and said that as he has had a new heart-pacemaker fitted recently, he is raring to go if needed on Sunday!"

From Ron Madden, Newtown player from the late 1940s.

"The Good Lord has never created a more laidback redhead than "Razor" Rudder. He can fire up a bit on the field but he's the king of cool off it.
It was good to catch up with him for an interview.
Again, good luck for Sunday. It would be great to see the Jets win in the centenary year of your club."

From Brett Keeble, Newcastle Herald Rugby League writer.

"Just a quick note to wish everyone at Henson Park all the very best for the Grand Final on Sunday.
I'll be barracking for you from a distance (and wearing my Jets jersey for good luck).
Have a great day. Give 'em hell Newtown!"

From Jim Stringer, Rochdale Hornets RLFC, UK.

"To everyone at Newtown involved in Sunday's grand final, the Wests Panthers RLFC (Brisbane) wishes you all the best in your endeavours to win the premiership. As a foundation 1909 Brisbane club, we are the oldest senior club in existence in Queensland, as are the Jets (nee Bluebags) in NSW, and we can fully appreciate the importance of our respective clubs' histories.

On behalf of our great club, there are plenty of us up here who will be cheering on your great club, the Jets, during Sunday's grand final.

And to all the players in particular... Best of luck for Sunday fellas, and rip into Wenty like there is no tomorrow. A century of past Newtown souls will be with you every second of Sunday's game, all wanting you guys to add your own stamp on this great club's history."

From Mike Higgison, Secretary - Western Suburbs RLFC, Brisbane.

"Good luck Bumper, go the Jets!
I'm coaching the New Yorkers to become Jets supporters for this Sunday. Be sure to tell all Newtown Jets fans that they're very welcome to call in here when they're in New York City - this bar is a home away from home for Aussies: The Australian Bar & Restaurant, 20 West 38th Street, New York."

From Matt Astill, Newtown Jets 1998-99.

Best of luck to the mighty Jets on Sunday. From all your supporters in Southwest Western Australia!

From Leon Maag.

"Just a word from East Hull, the home of Hull Kingston Rovers, and best wishes sent to the Jets, especially to ex-Hull Kingston Rovers star Byron Ford and his team mates for the Grand Final on Sunday.
Hope all goes well and you get the win."

From From Paul the Red.

"I would like to send my congratulations to the players and staff for making the grand final and to let them know they do not need good luck because you will belt them you are a much better team than they are. I do not know if Greg or Jim has messaged you; if not this is from the Walters family, supporters for more than 50 years. Some also played during the 70's and 80's, being Peter and Jim.
All the best for Sunday"

From Peter, Jim and Greg Walters.

"All the best for Sunday. It's great to see Newtown still running around and being so successful. GO THE BLUES!"

From Horrie Kessey (ex-Newtown player, coach, committeeman and club secretary).

"Fingers crossed for a win on Sunday, we'll be cheering for you all!"

From Jodie Hawkins Media and PR Manager, Sydney Roosters.

"Over the moon that the Jets have made the 2008 Grand Final.
I will be sitting glued to the TV dressed in my old Newtown jumper and lifting the roof off cheering for the Jets.
Pass on my best to all involved in tomorrow's GF and say hello to Greg for me. Go the Jets."

From Mal Graham, former Newtown winger (1982-83), now coach at Macquarie United, Newcastle.

[Phone message] "Best wishes to the Newtown Jets for Sunday.
The club is one of Rugby League's Jewels in the Crown."

From Phil Mitchell, Sports Editor, Sun-Herald.

"Best of wishes to the Jets (Bluebags!) on Sunday.
My admiration for the club and its traditions is unbounded...and what great timing ...to be in a grand final at the end of Centenary year.
I will cheer the boys on... and remember old and happy days in the King George V Stand (second row) with my Uncle Reg at Henson Park.
Cheers mate ...to you and all 'Blues'."

From Ian Heads, veteran rugby league journalist and historian.

[Text message] "Good luck and best wishes for a win on Sunday.
The Newtown club will always have a special place in our hearts.
Go you Jets and Bluebags!"

From Greg Hyde and all the Hyde Family.

"Best wishes for Sunday in the Grand Final from all the supporters of Hull Kingston Rovers. Us regulars in the East Stand remember with great affection the role that Byron Ford played in taking Rovers into the Super League and of course the day that we beat Warrington at home in the Challenge Cup.

Byron was always available to the supporters and on a personal note, the way that he was most approachable when my Grand Daughter had her Rovers shirt signed by him and photos taken with him. Quite a number of us over here visit your web site regularly for the match reports and to see if Byron is still running them in.

Once again best wishes for Sunday, let's see you lift that Cup and please send our best regards to Byron and thank him for all the wonderful memories he gave us going down the touchline of the East Stand."

From Brian Sanderson and Grand Daughter Charlotte.