Statue Honour For Eels Legend Ray Price

parragirl

13 December 2007

Legendary Parramatta Eels rugby player Ray Price will be honoured with a bronze statue at his home ground, the Parramatta Stadium Trust announced today.

"I've spoken to Ray and he's delighted with the plan," said Venue Manager Luke Coleman. "He will be offered a choice of two prominent locations at the stadium."

The Parramatta Stadium Trust has taken a commercial decision to change the name of the 120-seat Ray Price Lounge to the Cumberland Lounge. Another venue at the stadium, the Cumberland Suite, will be renamed the Ray Price Suite.

"The names are being switched for business reasons, but the move is in no way intended to disrespect Ray's enormous contribution to the Parramatta Eels," said Coleman.

"We understand and share the high regard our patrons and the broader Parramatta community hold for Ray."

The Trust will make representation to the Parramatta NRL Club to jointly fund the project.

Consultation will begin immediately on the location and construction of the statue, said Coleman.

http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/news1674.asp

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parragirl · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 4:11 pm Post subject:

Eels give Price his statue

By Nick Walshaw
December 14, 2007 12:00am

PARRAMATTA great Ray Price owns a million magic moments - and now one of them is set to be immortalised forever.

The Parramatta Stadium Trust yesterday surrendered to people power and amazingly agreed to erect a statue of Price outside his old stomping ground.

The decision, which follows a week-long campaign by The Daily Telegraph, means a bronzed likeness of the 1980s hero will now be unveiled during league's 2008 centenary celebrations.

"This is all such a shock, incredibly humbling," Price said last night from his Budgewoi home.

"And the first thing I want to do is thank all The Daily Telegraph readers, all the Parramatta fans and all the supporters of league generally who have pushed for this. Because without these people, mate, I'm nothing."

Now that you have helped Ray Price recieve his dues, we're asking how what his statue should look like. Click here to see five of his most famous poses, then click here to vote for your favourite.

The Parramatta Stadium Trust has been taking heavy fire since we exclusively revealed their decision to rename the famous Ray Price Lounge for "business" reasons.

The move had angry sponsors threatening to withdraw cash and fans tearing up their memberships. Fellow great Brett Kenny even insisted the board take back his terrace honour.

And while stadium manager Luke Coleman yesterday confirmed Pricey's bar would still be renamed The Cumberland Lounge, he said it was "obvious" a much higher honour was now appropriate for a hero of four Eels premierships.

"I was just hoping to get my bar back but the response has been incredible," Price continued when asked about joining bronzed greats Wally Lewis and Laurie Daley.

"I mean, Peter Kelly Flooring were going to quit their sponsorship after 30 years. And Brett Kenny, mate, that's one of the greatest honours I've ever received from a teammate."

Parramatta greats, supporters and club officials all welcomed news of the statue yesterday - which will most likely sit just outside the northeastern corner of the stadium.

And leading the charge was 1981 premiership captain Steve Edge, who said the decision would satisfy a number of angry Eels who had contacted him in the past week.

"Guys like Mick Cronin, Peter Wynn, we were all upset by it," Edge said.

"I just don't think the Trust understood what Ray Price means to this club."

Cult supporter Parramatta Jesus, aka John Ryan, was also rapt with the decision - saying the statue would become "like Mecca for all Eels fans".

"When you think about a player bleeding for Parramatta, you think Pricey," Ryan enthused. "I just can't believe you're telling me this . . . it's insane."

But what image does a duel international who played 22 Tests, 15 matches for NSW and 257 games for the Eels hope they use?

"Oh, I'm not sure to be honest," Price laughed. "I don't really mind what they choose. Although some of my workmates have come up with a couple of suggestions today . . . a few even joked about going with the old praying mantis pose."

Stadium Trust Chairman Craig Gallagher stressed his board "never intended to slight a Parramatta great" and said the new statue would be unveiled "as soon as possible" in 2008.

There will also be a Ray Price Suite in the corporate area of the stadium.

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,22921750-5006066,00.html
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parragirl · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:25 pm Post subject:

Price remembers happier times

Sign of the times ... this is the pose Ray Price has chosen to have immortalised in a statue at Parramatta Stadium - the last time the Eels won a grand final.

By Nick Walshaw
January 31, 2008 12:00am

PARRAMATTA hero Ray Price has given his fans the ultimate Groundhog Day - by forever immortalising September 28, 1986.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Price has chosen a classic snapshot from the '86 decider to be struck as his Parramatta Stadium statue.

The moment - of him holding aloft the Winfield Cup - is a bittersweet one for all Eels supporters, who've since endured 21 consecutive winters without any more premiership success.

"And that's the main reason for choosing this special moment, to give something back to the fans," Price explains. "I mean, they've waited more than two decades for another premiership.

"That's too long. But hopefully this statue gives them something to enjoy until our next one."

Asked when that next elusive triumph might be, the dual international continues: "I honestly believe we can win it this year.

"Michael Hagan is a terrific coach and he's now had that all-important year to settle. We've also got some great young players and, personally, I'm looking forward to seeing Tim Smith back and learning from Andrew Johns."

Stadium Trust officials say the bronzed likeness will take eight months to complete and may head a Walk of Fame around the ground - with plaques celebrating the achievements of other local athletes.

"And I think that would be terrific," Price adds.

"Because for me that moment in '86 was a real highlight. It was just after that shot was taken that I announced to the crowd I would never play at the Sydney Cricket Ground again. That I was retiring.

"And to do that immediately after celebrating a grand final win, yeah, it's one of the real touching moments of my life."

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,23134593-5006066,00.html
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parragirl · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject:

Tightwad Fitzgerald offers club legend the final insult

The ultimate insult ... Parramatta CEO Denis Fitzgerald (right) is refusing to chip in for a statue of club legend Ray Price that fans demanded. Is he just being mean?

By Nick Walshaw
February 01, 2008 12:00am

PARRAMATTA great Ray Price has finally been given the "ultimate kick in the guts" - with his beloved club refusing to fund a statue in his honour.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Eels have incredibly decided against paying one cent towards a $60,000 bronzed image of Price for Parramatta Stadium.

And the 1980s cult figure now fears this is yet another attempt by club boss Denis Fitzgerald to remove his imprint from the club altogether.

"Oh, this really is the ultimate kick in the guts, it just doesn't get any lower," Price fumed.

"I mean, it probably wouldn't matter so much if I had played with other clubs. But I stuck with Parramatta my entire life.

"So if they never really wanted me around then why keep signing me? I've always known Denis was jealous but . . . ."

Parramatta Stadium Trust officials yesterday confirmed the Eels were refusing to help fund their statue of the dual international.

But the board promised to push ahead with the bronzed likeness "no matter the obstacles".

"And that's what I want Fitzy to get through his head, that I'm not going anywhere," Price laughed.

"And I don't care if he has to look out that office window of his every day and stare straight at the statue he refused to help build.

"I mean, this is the bloke who's been at Parramatta two decades and achieved diddly squat.

"He doesn't give a s... about the club or its fans. The bloke has only ever cared about himself.

"So he doesn't have to let the club put in for the statue, that's fine. He can take his petty jealousies and shove them right up his a..."

Fitzgerald yesterday confirmed his club would not be helping finance the Trust proposal.

"We just don't have the money in our budget," the chief executive said.

Asked if he feared a backlash from irate fans who demanded the statue built in the first place, Fitzgerald added: "That's not my concern.

"The Stadium decided to build it, the Stadium should fund it."

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,23141444-5006066,00.html
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parragirl · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:09 pm Post subject:

Ray Price's amazing record

February 01, 2008 12:00am

WHY Ray Price is such a legendary name at Parramatta.

PLAYED in four Parramatta premiership-winning sides, in 1981, '82, '83 and '86, when he captained the side.

NOTCHED up 258 games for the Eels, second only to Brett Kenny's 264, scoring 77 tries and 254 points.

NAMED Parramatta's greatest ever lock-forward in their 2002 greatest side ever, as well as being selected in NSW's top 25 State of Origin players.

PLAYED 22 Tests for Australia between 1978-84.

DUAL representative who played for the Wallabies between 1974 and 1976 before switching to rugby league.

AWARDS: 1979: Rothmans Medal and Dally M Player of the Year

1979: The Rugby League Player of the Year Award and the Harry Sunderland Medal

1982: Dally M Player of the Year 1982-86: Dally M Lock Forward of the Year

1984: Awarded the Order of Australia

1985: Rugby League Week Player of the Year

1992: Inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,23141883-5001023,00.html
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Skyhunter · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject:

Well we know Ray Price is a Legend as for the other bloke hmmm ? Laughing