Touching moment a devoted Manly fan salutes as the coffin of one Australia’s greatest-ever sportsmen, Bob ‘Bozo’ Fulton, is brought into St Mary’s Cathedral for his state funeral
- Bob ‘Bozo’ Fulton will be laid to rest on Friday at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral
- The rugby league Immortal was remembered for his legacy in the sport
- He is survived by his wife Ann, kids Scott, Brett and Kristie and eight grandkids
The remarkable life of Bob ‘Bozo’ Fulton will be celebrated in what is expected to be a moving state funeral on Friday – and a Manly Sea Eagles fan got in early to pay his respects.
Russell, a Manly fan for 61 years, saluted the coffin of the rugby league Immortal as it was brought into St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Friday morning ahead of the funeral.
Mourners from across Sydney and indeed Australia will gather at St Mary’s Cathedral from 10.30am to farewell the man many regard as the one of the best players, coaches and indeed sporting administrators, the nation has ever seen.
A Manly Sea Eagles fan (pictured) pays his respects to Bob Fulton before his funeral in Sydney
The coffin carrying rugby league Immortal Bob Fulton (pictured) arrives at St Mary’s Cathedral before his State Funeral
The coffin carrying rugby league legend Bob Fulton before his state funeral on Friday
Fulton, more affectionately known as ‘Bozo’, was born in the working-class northern English town of Stockton Heath in Warrington, England, and moved to Australia at age of four.
The Fulton’s settled in Wollongong, on the NSW south coast, and it didn’t take long for young Robert to become the best player for the Wests Wolllongong and then later his school, Dapto High.
Manly Sea Eagles ‘godfather’ Ken Arthurson signed Fulton as a teenager – and at just 19 he became the youngest captain in the club’s history.
As became apparent with all aspects of Fulton’s life, success quickly followed, with the Sea Eagles winning premierships in 1972, 1973 and 1976.
The remarkable life of rugby league Immortal Bob ‘Bozo’ Fulton was celebrated in a moving state funeral on Friday
Former rugby league great Robert Fulton is carried into St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Friday
Manly fan Russell stands on the steps of St Mary’s Cathedral as he bids an emotional farewell to the rugby league icon
Fulton, 73, also coached Australian between 1989 and 1998, with two World Cup triumphs the highlights
He then shocked many by defecting to Eastern Suburbs in 1979, but Sydney’s northern beaches lured him back, with Fulton returning to Manly, winning another premiership – this time as a coach in 1987 – in the last rugby league grand final at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Fulton, 73, also coached Australian between 1989 and 1998, with two World Cup triumphs the highlights.
He was officially named an Immortal in 1981 for his on-field genius, and in 1994 was awarded an Order of Australia in recognition for his service to the sport.
The father of three, proud grandfather and devoted husband to his wife Ann also excelled as a selector and commentator, leaving a legacy in the sport which is unlikely to be matched.
Vale Bob Fulton, rugby league, and Australian sport in general, is poorer for your absence.
Fulton, more affectionately known as ‘Bozo’, was born in the working-class northern English town of Stockton Heath in Warrington, England, and moved to Australia at age of four
Bob Fulton’s casket arrives at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Friday after the rugby league legend died at the age of 74
The father of three, proud grandfather and devoted husband to his wife Ann also excelled as a selector and commentator, leaving a legacy in the sport which is unlikely to be matched
Fulton (pictured) in his playing days with the Manly Sea Eagles, where he won three premierships