Former Bear on the mend

Paul Hancock is a true blue North Sydney Bear. A former player and supporter for life, Paul began his career in the centres playing in the north Sydney junior league competitions with Willoughby CYO and North Sydney United with the likes of Greg Hyde, Jeff Simmons and Warren Chatfield.
Following that he played on the wing for North Sydney the President’s Cup in 1963 and being graded in 1964 with the North Sydney District Rugby League Club, where he played more  than 100 games in 3rd, 2nd and 1st grades commencing as a centre and then in the 2nd row.
 
During his time in 1st grade, Paul’s teammates included North Sydney greats Ken Irvine, Fred Griffiths, Ross Warner, Lloyd Weir, Billy Wilson, George Ambrum, Eric Sladden, Denis Cubis and John Gudgeon.
 
Prior to ending his career as a result of knee problems in 1969, Paul is proud to have only missed one 1st grade game in 1966. He then served on the North Sydney coaching panel with Jeff Simmons, was a selector for the North Sydney Jersey Flegg representative team, and coached the North Sydney President’s Cup representative team before serving on the North Sydney Football Club committee for two years in the 1980s.
 
In subsequent years Paul could be heard on radio station 2SM alongside the famous commentator the late Frank Hyde calling Match of the Day at the Sydney Cricket Ground, when he would cross to Paul for the latest score of the game at the famous North Sydney Oval.
 
Currently recovering after bad a fall at home, Paul was very pleased to receive a visit from Men of League Northern Sydney welfare officers Fred Jackson and Ken Vessey.
 
Paul and his wife Leone have been married for 47 years, have two married daughters, and four grandsons who are all keen sportsmen, including Zac who was this yearselected in the Manly Warringah Rugby League Matthew Shield representative team.
 
We presented Paul with a Men of League polo shirt and cap for his outstanding service to the game of rugby league and wished him a speedy recovery; in turn Paul expressed his thanks and wished the Men of League continued success.
 
By Ken Vessey