Visit to Chris Armstrong

John Peard, Alan Webb and Brian Finegan recently visited Chris Armstrong who was undergoing rehab at Calvary Hospital, Kogarah. 

Chris was a rugged and feared forward in the 1960s and early 1970s.  After playing on the winning Souths side in the President’s Cup in 1963, Chris played his grade football with the Souths and Easts, finishing up with Corrimal in the Illawarra competition.  Chris was also well known in surfing circles being the sweep for Maroubra and South Maroubra surfboat crews over a long period. Chris played in the Souths 1968 Reserve Grade Grand Final win over Manly where the Souths forwards were Gary Stevens, Paul Sait, Bob McCarthy, Dennis Lee, George Piggins and Chris. (Kevin Longbottom, Ray Branighan and Ivan Jones were amongst the backs.) 

Chris had recently had a few falls and was experiencing balance problems, he is doing his rehab in Calvary following an operation where a shunt was inserted to regulate blood flow from the brain with an aim of providing Chris with better balance.  Chris has maintained a keen interest in fitness which is making the rehab process easier.  However, he was bright and cheery during the visit and is looking forward to a better standard of life once he returns home.  As a retired school teacher, he attended Marcellin College Randwick, where he was presented with a Men of League Polo shirt and a South Sydney Rabbitohs Cap.

Left to Right: Brian Finegan, Chris Armstrong and John Peard

13/08/15