ON THIS DAY - 22nd September

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | September 22, 2025

In 1951, a true legend of Waratahs who played for 31 seasons, Alan Gray (#26) made his debut in A grade v University making 30 batting in what would be an unaccustomed role at five. Scoring 8,675 runs for the club including three centuries, with his 7,541 A grade runs being the most of any player in that grade, Alan was the grand old man of Waratahs. He was a shrewd tactician, playing in the first A grade Premiership victory and captaining the second 19 years later. Outstanding at slip where he held most of his 177 catches, only Albert Hofkamp (#476) held more. Even in the twilight of his career - or was it his second career - he made nearly 700 runs in two seasons in the lower grades in the early 1980's, winning a Premiership and being runner up in a second. The term of respect and endearment we now use for our Tahs President, "Father", was first coined by Alan. In all respects, he was Father Gray.

Waratahs v University - A grade, 22nd & 29th September 1951

In 1956, after the first six seasons as a one team club, Waratahs expanded its operations and added a second team to play in the B grade competition. Hugh Ferris (#32), an experience hand who had played since Waratahs second season, took the reins of a very young side with the view of blooding players who might graduate to A grade. In this first game only Ferris with 44 not out out and future top grade player Jeff Walsh (#84) reached double figures in Waratahs 77 but several would go on to substantial careers, including the wicket taking warrior of the lower grades Tony Morriss (#78), Geoff Whitton (#85) and Ron Marshall (#73). Arty See (#81), later to become a potent new ball bowled picked up two stumpings off the Skipper. In later games of this season, several other long servants of Waratahs debuted in B grade, including John Russell (#89) and Bruce McClenaghan (#74).

Waratahs v Rockvale - B grade, 22nd September 1956