ANDY Roberts can recall every one of the 234 national league games he played for Newcastle.
Known affectionately as the pony-tailed man marker, Roberts is among more than 300 players to represent the region on the national stage.
Most of the defender’s appearances were for the Newcastle Breakers.
A largely home-grown outfit, the Breakers punched above their weight in the NSL from 1991 until 2000 when Newcastle United was formed.
It’s hard to believe it has been nearly 15 years since the likes of locals Roberts, Shane Pryce, Todd McManus, Mark Wilson and Scott Thomas combined with ‘‘imports’’ Bob Catlin, John Buonavoglia, Andy Harper and Peter Tsekenis to take on the best in the nation.
The Breakers will hold a reunion which will then flow into the Jets’ annual Old Boys Day for the clash against Melbourne Victory at Hunter Stadium On April 5.
Roberts, who owns a successful menswear business which supply suits to the Jets, is one of the organisers and is confident of a crowd of 200.
Apart from former players, Roberts hopes to get all the coaches together. Lee Sterrey and John Kosmina are confirmed starters.
The get-together begins at the Duke of Wellington Hotel before moving on to the game.
KB on song
STILL on old boys, former Lake Maquarie striker Dave Simpson thrilled Sidelines by sending in a copy of the original KB United team song. Dave acquired the recording from John Hersee.
‘‘John’s father, Jack, had it on an old 45 record and re-recorded it into an mp3 format,’’ Dave told Sidelines.
One for the ages
AND finally on old boys, Dave tells us that the Friday night over-45s competition is always on the lookout for new teams. So if all this has got your competitive juices flowing, get busy and pull a team together. Contact Macquarie Football for details.
Hair we go
JETS utility Josh Brillante hasn’t felt the sharp blade of a razor on his face in more than 18 months.
Even more time has elapsed since Ben Kennedy last set foot in a barber shop.
Both will be at the front of the queue tomorrow when the Jets shave their locks in support of Hunter Breast Care Foundation.
The great shave is part of a week-long promotion between the Jets and the HBCF which culminates in a ‘‘Pink Day for BK’’ when Melbourne Heart visit Hunter Stadium on Saturday.
Kennedy’s mum, Karen, is receiving treatment for a breast cancer recurrence.
She is ‘‘doing well’’, but BK is keen to do his bit and has vowed to part with his long locks for a No.1 buzz cut.
‘‘I haven’t had a haircut in nearly two years and have never had a No.1,’’ he said.
‘‘Hopefully we can raise some funds and create some awareness for breast cancer research and make a difference to the lives of people affected.’’
Brillante’s facial hair has reached cult status.
UK newspaper The Independent last year included the 20-year-old’s Ned Kelly look among the best beards in sport.
He has since had it trimmed but will go the whole hog with a cutthroat razor.
In total 16 members of the Jets playing and coaching staff will participate in the great shave.
Those who don’t have agreed to donate $100.
The Jets have produced a pink t-shirt to raise funds for HBCF which will be on sale at Saturday’s clash against the in-form Heart. For every pink t-shirt sold, $5 will be donated to HBCF.
Both teams will wear the pink t-shirts as they make their way onto the field before kick-off and Jets players will wear pink laces during the game.
HBCF will be the match-day partner, and all members and fans are encouraged to dress in pink, with prizes for the best dressed.
All-star line-up
IT’S a who’s who of Australian football and a date you don’t want to miss.
Ray Baartz, Col Curran, Mark Bosnich, Simon Hill, Mel McLaughlin, David Carney, Michael Bridges, Taylor Regan, David Gallop ... as far as football sportsmen’s lunches go, it doesn’t get much better than the panel for the Charlestown City Blues function at Charlestown Bowling Club on Friday.
Fox Sports commentator Hill will play host, Baartz, Curran and Bosnich will talk Socceroos and the World Cup, the Jets trio will be quizzed on the A-League and Gallop will give an insight into the direction of the game.
As well as the speakers, there will be lucky door prizes, including a week of coaching from Emerging jets academy director Gary van Egmond, and an auction of sporting memorabilia.
Tickets cost $125 or $1100 per table of eight and are available from Charlestown Bowling Club on 4943 3766.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/21...galong/?cs=306