A tribute to The Godfather of Manly – Ken Arthurson, who turns 97 on Thursday.
The Sea Eagles’ 80th anniversary season has been a celebration not only of the Club’s history, but of the many people who have helped shape it across eight decades.
The anniversary celebrations will culminate with the release of ARKO – Celebrating 80 Years, a mini-documentary which shines a light on Arthurson’s various roles and achievements over many decades at Manly.
Affectionately known as ‘Arko’ and ‘The Godfather of Manly’, Arthurson’s contribution to the Club has spanned almost every role imaginable – player, captain, coach, administrator, recruiter, negotiator and leader.
After five Grand Final defeats, and in search of Manly’s maiden premiership, Arko used every trick in the book to bring a generation of great players to Brookvale, including Australian Rugby League Immortal, Bob Fulton.
In his role as Club Secretary, the modern-day equivalent to CEO, Manly appeared in eight Grand Finals and claimed four premierships.
The group he assembled would dominate the 70s and that success and winning culture would become part of Manly’s DNA.
To this day, the Sea Eagles remain the only club to have won at least one premiership in five consecutive decades.
This tribute brings together a neat collection of stories told by those who have also played a big role in building Manly into what it is today, and by others who know Ken well.
'ARKO – Celebrating 80 Years' will be released on Thursday, October 1.
