North Bankstown Soccer Club’s ‘old boys’ head home for dinner

He’s hoping to catch up with many of those friends whom he played with at North Bankstown, as he does every couple of years, when he returns to Bankstown next month to help the club celebrate its 70th anniversary.
Formed in 1953, the club welcomed him and his brothers Graeme and Alan in 1955 with Ken playing in the Under 10s.
There was no TV so you had to make your own fun with plenty of soccer and social events that the club would organise.
“Not many people had cars so if we weren’t playing at our local venue in Graf Park, Yagoona, half a dozen or more kids would pile into each of the few cars our parents had,” the 77-year-old said.
“There were no seatbelts and you certainly wouldn’t be able to get away with it today.”
Ken played with North Bankstown until he was selected for national service aged 20 and when he returned a year later, decided to settle in Bundeena.
“I did join the local soccer club there with my young son and was enlisted to play in the Over 35s but a hamstring injury put an end to that,” he said.
With players expected to journey from all over Australia to Bankstown Sports Club for the 70th Anniversary Dinner on October 21, Ken said he wouldn’t miss it for the world.
“I’m sure it will be a fantastic night with lots of opportunities to catch up, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone,” he said.
For more info or to book for the dinner: northbankstownsoccer.com.au, call club president Mark Kearns on 0407 505 377 or email secretary@northbankstownsoccerclub.com.