It’s always special to win the local grudge match, but for Maitland Magpies players last weekend there was an extra sense of meaning, with two club legends watching on from the grand stand.
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Among the old boys present were former Magpies Ian McFarlane and Harry Hetherington, who both played for the club during a golden period of success in the 1960s.
McFarlane played in goal for the Magpies in 1962 and 1963. The former keeper hadn’t seen a Magpies game since the mid-1960s, but after bumping into him at a pre-season match at West Wallsend, he was invited along to the long derby.
Marking the occasion, he wore his 1962 premiership blazer to the game. He was joined by former teammate Harry Hetherington. a foundation member of the Maitland club and a Hall of Fame member.
As a player, Hetherington had a total of 250 senior games with Wallsend and Mayfield, before holding the positions of secretary, registrar and director of the Northern NSW Federation.