RABBITOHS MARK CENTENARY WITH 100 YEAR ENACTMENT

Victor Trumper's grandson Victor Trumper III, JJ Giltinan's great grand nephew James Giltinan and the grand nephew of Henry Clement Hoyle, Austin Hoyle were in attendance.

Victor Trumper, JJ Giltinan and Henry Clement Hoyle were on the podium at Redfern Town Hall when the South Sydney District Football Club was formed on January 17, 1908.

The evening, hosted by South Sydney Football Club Director Ray Martin, was attended by a host of luminaries and South Sydney greats including Jack Rayner, Clem Kennedy, Jack Lawrence, Bob McCarthy, Ken Stewart, Ian Roberts, Sean Garlick and Joyce Churchill, the widow of Rabbitohs great Clive Churchill.

A video presentation and ode to South Sydney's inaugural team of 1908 from the 2008 Rabbitohs squad was shown. Classic South Sydney memorabilia was also on display, some never before seen.

Mr Hennessy said he was proud to continue his family's association with South Sydney Football Club.

"With the family history that I have there is an immense feeling of pride that I have for the Club," he said.

"It is hard to explain but I couldn't wait to get here tonight. The Club has such strong and deep roots and I think that it is a wonderful thing that it is undergoing a rebirth at this time. I can't see why it won't still be going strong in another 100 years."

Mr Hoyle said he was "thrilled" to be part of the 100th birthday celebrations.

"It's a return to rugby league for me and for HC (Harold Clement Hoyle) and the family and for that I'm thrilled," said the long serving rugby league administrator.

"I've been involved with rugby league for a number of year and it's been great catching up with some of those who I have had so much to do with other the years. It has been a great night for rugby league and the Rabbitohs."

Former Rabbitohs captain Ken Stewart said the evening was a tribute to the 100 years of the South Sydney Football Club.

"I think this is something very special," Mr Stewart said.

"I wasn't around for the first meeting but I'm glad to be around for this one. I still take a big interest in the Club and it is good to see so many players from so many different eras here. This night has made me very proud to be associated with this great Club."

Some important historical moments in the history of the South Sydney Rabbitohs;

January 17, 1908, the South Sydney Football Club is founded at the Redfern Town Hall

August 29, 1908, South Sydney claim their first premiership with a 14-12 win over Eastern Suburbs

1925, South Sydney go through the season undefeated to claim their fifth premiership, the 1925 side is the only Rabbitohs side to go through a season undefeated

1928, "The Battle of Earl Park", before a then record crowd of 14,000 a South Sydney side down to 11 men triumphs 13-5 over St George in a brutal semi-final. A week later South Sydney defeat Eastern Suburbs 26-5 to claim their eighth premiership

1947, late in the season Clive Churchill signs with South Sydney for 12 pounds and 11 shillings a game, he plays two games for the Club in the season

1948, the Rabbitohs move to Redfern Oval

1955, "The Miracle of '55", led by Jack Rayner South Sydney win 11 successive sudden death games including the premiership decider 14-11 over St George to claim their 16th premiership

1959, the Rabbitohs emblem appears on the South Sydney jersey for the first time

September 16, 1967, a Bob McCarthy intercept helps South Sydney to a 12-10 premiership win over Canterbury before 56,358 at the SCG

September 18, 1971, The Rabbitohs win the last of their 20 premiership with a 16-10 Grand Final win over St George in front of 62,838 at the SCG

October 15, 1999, South Sydney are omitted from top flight rugby league competition

In 1999 and 2000 a total of 120,000 people march in two separate marches in support of the Rabbitohs' reinstatement to the NRL competition

July 7, 2001, the Rabbitohs legal bid for reinstatement to the NRL succeeds before the Full Bench of the Federal Court

March 15, 2002, South Sydney return to the NRL competition

March 19, 2006, 75.8 per cent of South Sydney Football Club Voting Members vote 'yes' to a partial privatisation of the Club under Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court

Source: www.souths.com.au