14/4/04
2BG Ray Hadley

Hi Ray,

I was on the North Sydney Bears website today and it listed 2GB as an option to send my feelings on my Bears and why they should be re-admitted to the NRL competition.

Ray, Rugby League was always about tradition and the undenying passion fans held for their respective teams! My Bears competed in the top grade for over 90 seasons and for the entirety of those years, my family followed them all the way! We stood by them when times where tough and we hugged and cheered when tries were scored! In 1999 my Bears were gone and the dream of watching my Bears hold up the trophy were fading. But once a Bears fan, always a Bears fan and I still go to their matches and keep an eye on their results in the premier division - I cant help it, they're in my blood!

When I was 7 years old my Dad handed me the draw and told me to pick any game I wanted! I couldn't believe it, it would be my first match at the famous old ground of North Sydney Oval. They played! C! anberra and I sat on the hill and loved every second! With my first baby on the way in a few weeks, I'm desperate to get the same chance my ancestors had before me!

I recently had my birthday party and my Mum and Dad threw me a Bears party. Everyone was instructed to dress in Red and Black and there was even a toast to the Mighty Bears! It was all in good fun, but I think that just highlights what it means to be a bears fan! It's not just a phase or fad, it's drilled into you from birth and it stays with you forever! It the passion that makes your knees week with the scores tied and 10 minutes to go and it's the tradition that carries on through the generations!

I could go on forever, but I think I've made my point! I love my Bears Ray! I hope that in 2006, I might be able to hand my dad the draw and let him pick a game!

Thanks for you time Ray.

Geoff Davidson
--------------------------------------------------------------------