Past Goey Greats...

Neil Stevens

The 2008 season has seen a new recruit in the First Grade squad with a recognisable name. Brett Stevens the current First Grade winger is the son of former Goey Neil Stevens. Which brings us to our next Goey Great.

Neil Stevens played his Junior football with the Cessnock Worker’s Club sides up until he was fifteen, then progressed to the Cessnock Juniors.

Neil was a member of the successful Cessnock Under 18’s side of 1976, who were coached by Garry Johns. With several other well known players from this side Neil progressed to First Grade in 1977 and played a major role in winning the Grand Final. This turned out to be one of the club’s most successful seasons in its history.

I was able to catch up with both Neil (who turns fifty this year) and his son Brett to discuss old times, the current state of the game and the Cessnock club.

(Q) What has been some of your career highlights?

(Neil) - Winning the Under 18’s and then going on to grade and winning the First Grade 1977 Grand Final are both highlights for me. We had a lot of locals in the sides and it was very satisfying to have such success with those players.

Another highlight for me was helping Mick Deacon coach the Under 18’s to win their Premiership in 2006. The team which included Brett were not expected to win, but won the match against Western Suburbs.

(Q) Who were some of the best players that you played with in the past?

(Neil) – Its hard to single people out when I played with so many great players. Bob Everson and Roger Mullard were awesome players. Peter Davies was another great player, Doug Tanna with his speed and the way he could turn a game was brilliant. I also had a lot of time for Barry Holden he was very tough and is a good mate. I could mention many, many more as I was fortunate to play with so many talented players.

(Q) What about players that you played against?

(Neil) – The Maitland sides we came up against were always great sides, they including players such as Brian Burke and Peter Sharp. Phil Emerty who played for Central was a very hard and tough player, tackling him was like tackling a tree.

(Q) How do you compare today’s game with the game from your era?

(Neil) – Today’s game is a lot faster. But I definitely miss parts of the old game, things like scrummaging and having to fight for the ball. In the old days you couldn’t put your hand up to come off for a break, you had to tough it out.

(Q) Brett have you seen any of the footage from when your dad played and if so what did you think?

(Brett) – Yes, the game was definitely a lot tougher and harder in those days.

(Q) How do you think Brett is going with his football career?

(Neil) – He is going pretty good. He is showing a lot of versatility with the positions he is playing. I try to be positive and encourage him.

(Q) Was their anyone who influenced your career?

(Neil) – Garry Johns played a big role. His enthusiasm and guidance were very valuable. It was a great buzz to play along side him when I entered First Grade. His half time speeches were at times very colourful, but seemed to inspire the team. He taught us how to hate Kurri, even though he was from Kurri.

(Q) Did you ever consider trying your luck to play in Sydney?

(Neil) – Looking back I would have liked to have had a trial, but at the time many of us gained good employment in the mines and it seemed the better option to stay here and work.

(Q) To Brett and Neil – What are you both up to now besides your football?

(Neil) – I am a Vigneron and am a contract grape grower for Tyrells. We also manage a weekender accommodation in the Vineyards and run a few cattle.

(Brett) – I am a plumber.

(Q) Brett – How are you enjoying First Grade and how do you think you will go this year?

(Brett) – I am enjoying it very much, I think we’ll go well as we have good depth in all grades.

Neil was kind enough to lend me some photos and paper clippings from his playing days. I’d always heard how tough and tenacious of a player Neil was and viewing his memorabilia definitely proved that. His versatility was a real asset for the club and this is currently being displayed by his son Brett. I’m sure Neil’s wife Bernadette, his daughter Alison and his other son Gavin would be very proud of what he achieved in Rugby League.

Neil made a point that he doesn’t class himself as one of the ‘greats’, he states that he was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. Its refreshing to meet a player who obviously was a great player yet remains a humble and great bloke.

By Troy Petrysen


Don Schofield

When choosing the first Cessnock player to be classed as a 'Past Goey Great', the late Don Schofield was the obvious choice. A man who literally lived and died for his beloved Goannas.

Don started his career playing Juniors for South Cessnock and began his grade career in 1949. He played 265 games for the Cessnock Goannas, and played with Western Suburbs in Sydney in 1952. He also Captain/Coached Muswellbrook in 1957.

Don represented Newcastle, NSW Country, NSW and Australia in the 1956 World Cup. He coached Cessnock 1st Grade in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967 and Third Grade in 1968.

Cessnock Ground Announcer Brian Davey offered his time to give us some insight into Don and his football career.

(Q) I know it is hard to compare, but is there anyone playing the game today who you would compare to Don?

(A) It is very hard to compare eras and compare players. Don would rate along side many great players. He was a lock forward / second rower and was a great worker on the field, he was also able to create opportunities with his own natural brilliance.

(Q) It seems like he had a great all round game.

(A) He sure did. Many opposition players would say 'you knew Don was going to throw a dummy, but you still fell for it'.

(Q) I was fortunate enough to be involved with Don when I came to play at the Goannas and he always seemed like a great bloke.

(A) Yeah, he is the best clubman we have ever had. Apart from his obvious involvement while playing or coaching, he ran the bingo at the club to help injured players financially, and sold doubles.

He was also a fantastic family man. Don was a teetotaller and only had a drink after Grand Final wins. After games I always ordered three squashes at the bar. One for Don, one for Gordon Caddis and one for myself. Don was also a plumber and ran his own plumbing business, as many people know.

After my discussion with Brian my mind wandered back to my experiences with Don Schofield. I remember sneaking through the creek into the old Sportsground in the early 80's as an 8 year old. There was Don selling doubles yelling abuse at referees. He would look at me, wink and say 'G'day young fellow'.

On my return to play for Cessnock in the mid nineties, Don was still there selling doubles and offering his help in anyway he could. He was also still keeping the referees honest.

His passion for the Cessnock club was awesome. I'll never forget the day he passed away at the old Cessnock Sportsground in 1999, while we were playing against Wests. It would have been great to win the Grand Final ironically against Wests that year for Don. Perhaps we needed him there to give the refs a rev up. Maybe Don provided that bit of luck for us when we did win in 2003.

I do know one thing though. If your ever walking alongside Schofield Way towards Big W and you feel the urge to bellow 'YOUR JOKING REF', don't be alarmed - its just the spirit of Don reminding us he's still about.

By Troy Petrysen