Vale – Brian ‘Chicka’ Moore

Born – 19 April 1944
Passed Away – 25 October 2014

Brian ” Chicka ” Moore was a great footballer and a great bloke. A personable and friendly man, Chicka easily made friends wherever he went. As a player, he was highly respected by team-mates and opponents alike, while he also enjoyed admiration from his colleagues after working more than 29 years with the NSW Police Force. In early 2011, Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione presented Sgt. Moore with a NSW Police Medal in recognition of his diligent and ethical service.

“Brian’s an icon of Rugby League,” said Commissioner Scipione at the time, “but he also contributed a great deal to policing in this state.”

Growing up in the inner city suburb of Alexandria, Brian attended Gardiners Road Intermediate High School and played Rugby League with Mascot, then Alexandria in the South Sydney Junior League. In 1957, while just 13, he was a member of the Mascot under 15 Premiership winning side who defeated Chelsea in the Grand Final. The Alexandria Rovers club named Brian in their best ever team, along with players such as George Peponis, Russell Fairfax and 1952 Kangaroo, Greg Hawick.

Newtown were quick to sign the star centre and he began the first of his 12 seasons with the club in 1962. He made his first grade debut, when just 18, at Henson Park on 15 July 1962 against North Sydney and also collected his first top grade try in this match, which Newtown won 27-14. That season Newtown finished second on the Premiership ladder, just one point behind St. George and Chicka played in the major semi final and final. Among his team-mates for these big games were Team of the Century Coach, Jack Gibson, well known detective and NSW player, Barry Nelson, centre partner Bob Keyes and sprint star, Dudley Towers. Chicka lost most of his hair at an early age and the sight of the big, powerful and bald headed centre making a midfield break was a common sight for fans in the 1960s and early 1970s. In his 12 seasons of first grade from 1962, Brian scored 90 tries in his 176 matches. He scored three tries in the 27-5 win over Canterbury at Belmore on 8 August 1964 and another three tries against the Sharks at Henson Park in the 29-9 win on 7 May 1967. His combination with fellow policeman, Bobby Keyes, was regarded by many as the best centre combination in the 1960s. Like Brian, Bobby also represented NSW.

The first of Brian’s three games for NSW was at the SCG on 31 August 1963. Brian was on the winning team in all games for his state and he picked up two tries. The other games were in 1965 at the SCG and 1970 at Newcastle. Brian also played three matches for City Firsts in 1966, 1967 and 1970, scoring three tries in these fixtures. His selection for the 1966/67 Kangaroos to England and France was a very popular choice and he became a cult figure on the French leg of the tour. At Perpignan on the Mediterranean near the Spanish border, Brian starred, scoring three tries in the 37-7 win over the Catalans XIII. He instantly became a crowd favourite, who named him, “Le Chauve” – ‘the bald one’. This tour was named the Bowler Hat tour and although Brian didn’t play a Test, he was the leading try scorer with 10 from his 11 matches.

While Newtown did not win many trophies during Brian’s time with the club, they did win the Wills pre-season competition in his last season. Coached by Jack Gibson in 1973, Newtown won the final of the Wills Cup on 17 March. St. George were leading 15-14, but with a minute to go, Brian scored an excellent individual try to give Newtown a 17-15 victory.

In early 1974, Brian moved to Toronto in the Newcastle area, where he worked as a detective. During his nine years in the area, Brian coached Macquarie United and Wests Newcastle, as well as coaching the NSW Country Police team for their match with City Police at Redfern Oval in 1983. After leaving the Police Force, Brian worked for several years as the Sergeant at Trinity Grammar School, Summer Hill.

Brian is survived by his daughters Kirsten and Nerida, his brother Colin and his sisters, Brenda and Marilyn, as well as his two former wives, Wendy and Suzanne.

The funeral service for Brian is to be held at Eastern Suburbs Crematorium, Botany at 10:30am on Friday 31st October 2014 and then at Henson Park Hotel, Marrickville.