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News, Reviews & Opinion - Sean Fagan - RL1908.com

In the planning since 2006, this Canterbury Bulldogs series traces the social and sporting history of the club from 1908 to the present. Volume I of the three-volume set The Mighty Bulldogs has now been released.

The Mighty Bulldogs dvd. 1908-1967 (Vol. 1)

With interviews, photos and footage that was thought lost, this will prove a valuable part of any Bulldogs supporters' collection.

The Mighty Bulldogs Volume 1 is only available through the club and its outlets.

The dvd looks at the first junior club in 1909 to the Canterbury Bankstown President's Cup team that won its first premiership in 1931.

This spurred on the attempts to enter a Canterbury team into the main competition with success when they were finally admitted for the 1935 season.

Then the dramatic rise of the team from second last in 1935 to semi finals in 1936 and Premiers in 1938 and 1942. And the hard seasons of the 1950s and then the building of a great side that would contest the famous 1967 Grand Final.

Covering the history of the Club from 1908 to 1967, Volume I shows the social history of the Canterbury Bankstown area and its people and is narrated by the foundation players of the time including Eddie Burns and Joe Gartner.

The story looks at the 1940s and 1950s through the words of Ken Charlton, Jack Stewart, Alan Scwhebel and Barry Nelson. During this time Peter Moore emerged in the lower grades and would later become the most respected football club secretary and CEO of Canterbury and in the game.

The Gartner family dynasty continued through the 1950s with Jim and Ray Gartner, and their brother Clive, who would be joined by wonderful players that came in the 1960s. These include Col Brown, Les Johns, Kevin Goldspink, John Greaves, Ron Raper, Bob Hagah, and the mighty Kevin Ryan, who would captain-coach the team into the now famous 1967 Grand Final.

There is footage and specially edited mini feature games from 1963 to 1967 and rare archival film of games in the 1940s. Some of this archival film has been specially restored and seen on this DVD for the very first time.

The Mighty Bulldogs Volume I is a must for all Bulldogs fans.

Available from Canterbury Bulldogs