History

Christian Brothers College Manly (now St. Pauls) formed a football team in 1934 for the Old Boys of the school.

It was based on the cricket team which had been playing for some years. Brother Gygar one of the teachers at the school was the chief instigator and mentor for the new club. Very few of the original team are still living and accordingly it has been difficult to discover exactly when the team was formalised as a club.

The club played Rugby Union until 1942 during which time it won many competitions and were state junior champions in 1938. In 1943 the switch was made to Rugby League and Brothers won the U16 competition in 1943 and 1944. Reub Hudson the former President of Manly Warrringah Football Club was a member of these sides and our teams regularly play games at the Reub Hudson fields to this day.

In 1944 and 1945 a significant number of our players (about half the team) played in the first ever Manly team which won the Presidents Cup in 1946. As a result of that success Manly (now the Sea Eagles) then entered the senior competition in 1947. The other half of that successful team was made up of neighbouring Freshwater players who wore maroon and white (as still worn by Freshwater Surf Club) and which is the historical origin of the current Sea Eagles NRL team colours.

Brother’s sides were outfitted in cerise and blue. These colours were chosen by Leo Worthington whose father had attended St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill (or Joeys as it is known to many) with Joeys having now competed in cerise and blue very successfully in the GPS rugby competitions for over 100 years. This link to rugby union is evident in the club badge which was designed by Leo Worthingtons brother, Tony and which was based on the Manly Rugby Union Club badge.

Over the years Brothers have won almost every competition and trophy in Junior League. In 1958 the club won its first premiership (since the early success of 1947). The clubs most dominant year was 1969 when it fielded 21 teams. 20 teams were fielded in 1970 thru 1973 and the club has won at least one division every year since. In fact the club won over 103 premierships in the 40 years from 1958 to 1998, of which 74 of these were First Division.

The numbers of players who have gone on to senior grade football are numerous. Two of our players, Peter Bourke and Bill Bradstreet have been selected to play as Australian Internationals whilst one of our past Presidents, the unforgettable Col Mills went on to become the President of Manly Warringah Junior League.

Importantly the proud history of the club continues to evolve with every young junior that decides to play football with Manly Brothers.

How good does it feel when you lace up your footy boots on a Saturday morning and throw on your Brother’s jersey?