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In 1988, a team representing the Newcastle Knights first ran out onto the playing field. In terms of natural talent and financial resources the team was not well endowed. However in terms of courage and commitment the same team was without peer.
In those formative years, while the Club's win/loss record remained less than overwhelming, a fearful reputation was simultaneously being forged by the blue and reds, a reputation which the Club has carried as a badge of honour ever since.
As time has elapsed, success on the field has come more frequently. At all times however, the standards set in those formative years have applied. Names like Sargent, McCormack, Harragon, and Butterfield have become synonymous with what it means to play in the red and blue. The tradition has been faithfully perpetuated through the likes of Johns, Buderus and Gidley.
A play-off for fifth spot in 1990 was the first time many in the rugby league world took our Club seriously. Two years later semifinal footy was a reality. A narrow one point loss in a preliminary semi in 1992 cost the team a chance at glory but confirmed its status as a team with an abundance of character. A semifinal appearance in 1995 was an early indicator of what was to come in the watershed year of 1997.
That season probably went a long way to describing what being a Newcastle Knight had become. The team was made up of around 70% local talent. Of the rest, most had adopted the town and Club of Newcastle as their home and played accordingly. It proved a valuable lesson.
The 1997 Optus Cup title was followed up with the unforgettable 2001 Telstra Premiership victory. Two premierships in the first fourteen years of the Club's existence creating an enviable record, and cementing the Club's hard-won reputation as consistently one of the best in the League.
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Team formed under the name Newcastle Knights, so named as Knights are men of steel, and Newcastle was a steel town; |
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Entered the competition with a squad of young players building foundations for the future of the Knights; |
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Sam Stewart first Knights Captain, Allan McMahon first grade coach; Sam Stewart and Adrian Shelford played for New Zealand and Rest of the World; |
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Newcastle fans supported their new team with home games averaging 21,000 with a huge 30,000 fans for the Broncos game. |
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Signed five class players to boost the ranks including Michael Hagan and Mark Sargent; |
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We're one of the best defensive sides in the competition and in contention for semifinals berth all season; |
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President's Cup side was the first Knights team to make the semifinals; |
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Michael Hagan was selected for Queensland State of Origin side. |
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Mark Sargent was selected for NSW State of Origin and was the first Newcastle player to represent Australia, touring England and France; |
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There were six Knights in the Australian train on squad; |
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Competition's equal top try scorer was Ashley Gordon with fifteen. |
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First grade did not fulfil expectations, reserve grade had their most successful season finishing sixth; |
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David Waite took over as first grade coach; |
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Newcastle won their first major championship trophy, the Nissan Sevens; |
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Mark Glanville and Michael Hagan played in every match for the season; |
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Mike McLean selected in Queensland State of Origin side. |
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Life membership of the Club awarded to Sam Stewart; |
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First semifinal appearance in first grade; |
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First grade lost the major semifinal to St George 2-3 finishing fourth on the table, their most successful season to date. |
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Paul Harragon represented Australia; |
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Mark Sargent named Captain of City and Paul Harragon named Representative Country Rugby League Player of the Year; |
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David Boyd, Michael Hagan and Marc Glanville were the first players to pass 100 first grade games; |
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Club Captain Michael Hagan left the Club to play for Halifax in Great Britain; |
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Reserve grade were the minor premiers and grand finalists, losing by a narrow margin 5-4 to North Sydney. |
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Mark Sargent and Robbie McCormack reached their 100th first grade game for the Club; |
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Reserve grade were again the minor premiers and grand finalists going down to Cronulla; |
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Five players selected for Country v City Origin; |
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A record number of six in the Kangaroos train on squad. |
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Reserve grade won the premiership after reaching their third consecutive grand final defeating Cronulla 22-10; |
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First grade also had their best result finishing equal third after being undefeated in the competition until round 10; |
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New point scoring record 549 points with 92 tries; |
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It was the last year for Knights faithfuls Mark Sargent, Robbie McCormack, and Brad Godden. |
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Marathon Stadium hosted the ARL v Fiji test match; |
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Continued presence of Knights players in the representative ranks at both state and international level; |
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Paul Harragon named Dally M Prop of the Year and Country Player of the Year for the second year running. |
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The Club's 10 year anniversary in the competition; |
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Knights first grade win the Optus Cup v Manly on "a perfect day", the winning try being scored by Darren Albert in the final six seconds. Captained by Paul Harragon and coached by Malcolm Reilly. Final score 22-16; |
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Fairytale ending to Knights careers of Marc Glanville and Adam Muir. |
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Most successful year ever for the Club as every grade reached the semifinals from the U16s to first grade; |
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Farewelled coach Malcolm Reilly; |
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Newcastle's home crowd exceeded all others in the premiership; |
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Tony Butterfield earned his first "Blues" jersey; |
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Ended the season on equal points with minor premiers Brisbane who won on points difference. |
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First grade made it to the play off; |
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Paul Harragon, one of the founding players, Club Captain since 1995, state and Australian representative, retired; |
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It was an injury ridden season for first grade who used 33 players throughout the season. |
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Finished outright third on the premiership table; |
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Club Captain Tony Butterfield retired after a record 229 games for the 'red and blue'; |
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Life member Matthew Johns left the Club to play in England; |
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Scored more tries in the season than any other team with 126; |
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End of Warren Ryan's coaching at the Knights. |
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Andrew Johns named Captain, Bill Peden Club Captain; |
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Ex-Club Captain Michael Hagan takes over as first grade coach with enormous success winning the Telstra premiership against Parramatta; |
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15,000 people at Marathon Stadium at 3.30am following the victory; |
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Newcastle had a record five Australian, three State of Origin and six country representatives. |
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Lost minor premiership to Warriors on points differential; |
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Big year for injuries losing valuable players at critical times. Many young players step up and take responsibilities; |
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Andrew Johns takes over from Brad Fittler as Australian Captain. |
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Andrew Johns and Robbie O'Davis play their 200th first grade games; |
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Josh Perry becomes the latest State of Origin representative; |
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Knights beat Broncos in Brisbane for the first time; |
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Andrew Johns suffers severe neck injury; |
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Knights make semifinals for the seventh year in succession. |
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Knights suffer worst injury hit ever with captain and chief playmaker Andrew Johns forced out of entire season with knee injury in round 3 against Parramatta; |
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Star players Timana Tahu, Ben Kennedy and Steve Simpson also outed for extended periods throughout the season through injuries; |
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Danny Buderus named Captain of Newcastle and also captain of the NSW Origin Blues for all 3 games; |
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Danny Buderus and Kurt Gidley instrumental in keeping the Knights strong throughout the season. Notable win was 17-16 win over Brisbane at ANZ Stadium thanks to late solo try by Buderus and field goal by Gidley; |
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Knights finish 10th on the ladder, falling two spots clear of the top eight and thus miss finals for first time since 1996; |
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Danny Buderus wins Dally M Player of the Year award; |
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Danny Buderus named as Vice Captain to Darren Lockyer for Tri-Nations tournament against New Zealand and Great Britain; |
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Danny Buderus captains Australian side against Great Britain through injury to Lockyer. |
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Newcastle has their worst season on record taking out the wooden spoon for the first time in the clubs history. Newcastle had to contend without Andrew Johns early in the season as he departed with a broken jaw. Fans can take heart; however, as there are many shining displays that will be remembered far more than the wooden spoon. |
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It was one of the tightest ever competitions in history as other top sides Roosters, Bulldogs and Panthers also do not make the finals. Newcastle ended the season as the team with the best momentum, winning 8 from 11 games. |
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3 Knights players make Country Origin: Matt Gidley, Danny Buderus and Steve Simpson |
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3 Knights represent Origin this season: Johns, Simpson and Buderus. |
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Knight's coach, Michael Hagan, coaches the Queensland Origin Squad for the 2nd successive year. |
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Danny Buderus continues as the NSW Blues Captain and takes the Origin side to victory for the 2nd year under his reign. Andrew Johns is instrumental as he is dramatically called into the squad with only one game under his belt in weeks since his injury. Despite the critics, Johns performs as expected and wins Origin II and the Man of the Match. Johns goes on to win the Dally M Representative of the Year. |
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Danny Buderus again wins Dally M Hooker of the Year. Andrew Johns almost takes out his 4th Dally M player of the year, losing to Cowboys Johnathan Thurston by 1 point. Had Johns not been injured for weeks in the early part of the season the story may be different. |
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At season's end, Andrew Johns plays 3 games for Warrington in the UK impressing all the fans and players of the game overseas. |
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To end 2005, Newcastle has all the momentum going into 2006. Andrew Johns continues to concrete his status as Rugby league's greatest player, with Danny Buderus regarded by many the 2nd best player in the game. Coach Hagan has at his disposal a Newcastle team still playing with the very same spirit and determination that keeps Newcastle fans flocking to Knights home and away matches in droves. We cannot wait for 2006! |
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Andrew Johns played his final Test for Australia |
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Kurt Gidley selected for Country Origin |
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Danny Buderus captained the Blues for his 3rd consecutive season |
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Andrew Johns became the games all time leading point scorer |
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Newcastle end the season in 4th place on the competition ladder |
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Knights defeat Manly at home in the first week of the finals, but bow out to Brisbane the following week |
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Matthew Gidley finishes his career with Newcastle and joins English club St Helens |
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Andrew Johns announces his retirement from rugby league |
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Danny Buderus, Kurt Gidley and Clint Newton represent Country Origin. |
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Jarrod Mullen and Kurt Gidley debut for NSW along with teammates Danny Buderus and Steve Simpson |
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Knights suffer 7 straight losses from rounds 18 |
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Kurt Gidley (Knights Player of the Year) earns an Australian Test Jersey against New Zealand |
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