Cessnock Rugby League fans were saddened by the news this week of the passing of one of the club's greatest ever players, Lester Batey at age 85.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Batey, who was a Cessnock junior, was selected in both the Team of the Century and the Local Team of the Century during the Goannas’ centenary celebrations in 2011.
He holds the record for the most games played for the club – 304, of which 247 were in first grade.
He played for Newcastle on numerous occasions – against the touring French once, English twice and New Zealand twice.
Along with club legends Don Schofield and Barry Levido, Batey is one of only three players to have played in all four premiership winning teams during the club’s halcyon years during the 1950s.
Batey’s family has also made tremendous contribution to the club with his son Jim being the fullback in the 1972 premiership-winning team, and his daughter Carol Ninness and granddaughter Kate Ninness members of the club’s hard-working ladies’ committee.
Batey’s efforts for the club will be forever remembered as he has a bay of seats in the grandstand at Baddeley Park Sportsground named in his honour.
His funeral service will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Cessnock on Friday, January 23 at 10.30am.
