The Newcastle Knights have had plenty of great players - Paul Harrogan, the Johns brothers, Danny Buderus.
Kurt Gidley may never have had the natural skill of those names, but he had a competitive hunger and desire to work hard that got him a spot in the Knights' youth ranks and ended up taking him to the very top.
Over his 15 years wearing red and blue, Gidley scored 81 tries and kicked 452 goals in 251 games, totalling 1228 points.
He represented NSW Country, New South Wales, Australia, the PM's XIII and the NRL All Stars.
At full time, Gidley was the Club's most capped skipper and the second most capped player.
Danny Buderus
"I first met Kurt when he was 12, and you could see he was going to grow into one of those guys that just competes."
Warren Smiles - Football Manager
"Kurt came in as a skinny little fella, he was never the biggest or strongest, but certainly determined. That was one of the things that really got him into our program."
Andrew Johns
"I've never seen someone train so hard... I've never seen a young player that wanted to succeed and play first grade so much."
Clint Newton
"He's always been the hardest trainer, and I think that's why he's been so durable. He's never let the fire go out."
Peter Sterling
"Theres a bit of a catch-cry in rugby league, and that's to be the player that other players want to play with. Kurt Gidley has certainly been that."
Matt Gidley
"It's not about being the most talented... if you're willing to work hard and love what you do, then you're able to go and achieve your dreams."
Michael Hagan
"Always looking to play even if he's wounded, I think he's been a good role-model for how tough the game is and how resilient he's been."
Jarrod Mullen
"He's been here since day one for me, and he's definitely taught me a lot about rugby league."
Ricky Stuart
"I feel very lucky and privilged to be able to say that I've coached Kurt at representative level, and that I'm a mate of Kurt's."
Craig Bellamy
"He's a Newcastle boy through and through, and they've been very lucky to have him there."
