1931 – 2024.
Jack was always a larger-than-life figure who had a great reputation and presence in the Wests Magpies Family.
When you look at his amazing football career, it is only then that you realise what a giant of a person he was.
Prior to joining Wests Magpies in 1954, Jack had an outstanding career in Athletics and Rugby Union. Indeed, he held numerous sprint records at Combined High Schools, clocking times of sub 11 seconds in the 100 yards sprint.
A product of Homebush Boys High School, he progressed through Eastwood Rugby Union from their Junior Grades before playing First Grade in the early 1950’s, culminating in his selection in the NSW Waratahs in 1953.
The NSW Rugby Union recently issued all former players with a commemorative cap.
The same year, 1953, Jack was selected in the Probables v Possible teams vying for selection in the Australian team to tour South Africa. Despite scoring two tries in a 26-22 win over the Possibles team, and only narrowly missing national selection.
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Jack’s first First Grade game at Wests.
In 1954 Jack switched codes to play rugby league with Western Suburbs Magpies. It was an interesting time to play for our Club as we were 1st Grade Premiers in 1952, but wooden spooners in 1953. In 1954 we finished seventh on the ladder, with Jack finding his way in his new Code. He played eight First Grade and six Reserve Grade games that year, missing a few games mid-year with injuries. He was determined to make it in rugby league, and as a dedicated trainer he would work on the fine points of his game, including often staying back alone after training to work on his sprinting.
In 1955 Wests opened the competition with two good wins, but lost the next twelve straight to finish with the wooden spoon. While Wests had a disappointing year, Jack was just starting to hit his straps as a rugby league player. He played fifteen of the eighteen competition rounds in First Grade and finished the season as leading try scorer with six tries.
In 1956, Wests introduced twelve new First Grade players which obviously reshaped the team from the previous season. The Club made the Semi Final, only to lose comprehensively to South Sydney. It was however the start of a very successful period for our Club, making the Semi Finals in the next eight consecutive seasons.
During the 56 Season, the Wing positions were keenly contested by a number of players and unfortunately for Jack, guys such as Ernie Hills and Cliff Smailles were preferred. John played two First Grade, ten Reserve Grade and four Third Grade games that year.
Showing grit and determination, Jack bounced back in 1957, playing ten First Grade and four Reserve Grade games, and scoring six First Grade tries. He was once again in contention for the Wing positions with Ernie Hills and Darcy Henry, who arrived at Wests that season.
Wests made the Semi Finals in 1957, only to go down to Souths once again.
Jack played his final year for the Magpies in 1958, arguably his best season. Wests and St George were the stand out teams that year, and met in the Major Semi Final which Wests won comprehensively 34-10. The two teams met again in the Grand Final and the tables were turned with St George coming out victors 20-9.
Jack played fourteen First Grade games for Wests during the season, scoring seven tries and played up until the final round of the regular competition. He was not selected to play in the Major Semi Final or the Grand Final, listed as a Reserve for both games.
The irony for Jack is that the player who replaced him for the final series was Bernie Kelly, who was knocked out and had to leave the field in the first half of the Grand Final, to seek attention for concussion. Under today’s protocols the player would not have been allowed to return to the field and Jack would have had his chance to play in the Grand Final. Nevertheless, after a distinguished football career, it can be said that Jack retired on top.
In summary, Jack played forty-nine First Grade, twenty-three Reserve Grade and four Third Grade games for the Magpies. He scored twenty-four tries in First Grade and six more in the lower grades. He played with Wests in the mid-fifties when we struggled and then into the era when Wests were known as the ‘millionaires.
After retirement from footy, Jack remained active in various capacities at our Club, as he very much enjoyed the mateship and camaraderie of former team mates, particularly Wally Tebbutt, ‘Dukey’ Taylor, Neville ‘Boxhead’ Charlton, and Harry Wells. Indeed, his friendship with Harry became lifelong and they remained the closest of friends.
Jack, Bill Owens and Ben Fisher.
In 1986, after what was an informal gathering of former Wests players, Officials and supporters at the Moore Park Bowling Club prior to watching a Test Match @ SCG, Jack along with former player Bill Owens and Ben Fisher decided to create an ‘Old Boys’ network and called it Pratten Park Magpies, named after their old home Ground in Arthur St Ashfield. Its purpose was to restore friendships, support mates who had fallen on hard times, to research and preserve the Magpies in any way it could and organise reunions. Those same core values exist to this very day, defining who Pratten Park Magpies are, and what we do.
We have a current membership of just under 450 former players and officials with our own charter and organisation structure with our oldest Member, well into his nineties.
Jack and Harry Wells at the old Sydney Sports Ground.
Jack, Harry and the remaining players from the early years, have always been held in the highest esteem by the younger guys coming through. I know, Jack was extremely proud of what Pratten Park Magpies had achieved since that humble beginning back in 1986.
Throughout his football career, and his ongoing connection with the Magpie Family, Jack made lifelong friendships with many, many people. One great friendship that comes to mind is that with John Wiles. John or JW as he was affectionately known, was responsible for collecting Jack’s Waratahs Cap from the NSWRU just a couple of months ago and was trying to organise a suitable time to pass on to Jack. As fate would have it, sadly, both men passed away within a fortnight of each other.
Nath Cole, Yvonne, Jack Thompson, John Wiles and Trevor Cogger.
Photo taken (July 2024) at Budgewoi Soccer Club.
Jack, Heritage Number 514, Life Member Number 100, was a very proud Wests man, a Magpie through and through and as previously mentioned, a founding member of the Pratten Park Magpies.
Whilst we are all deeply saddened by his passing, his legacy and memory will live on.
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‘Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends’. – Yeats.