In 1975, now long serving chairman of the Dolphins, Bob Jones, then a young aspiring rugby league player from the New South Wales country town of Gunnedah, took up residence in Redcliffe and commenced playing for the Redcliffe Dolphins as their A Grade hooker.
1981 Redcliffe Dolphins Team:
Back Row - Forrester Grayson, Mick Waller, Terry Webb, Ian Thinee, Peter Leis.
Middle Row - Steve Cherry, Bob Abbott, John Chapman, Gary Cox, Arthur Beetson, Chris Close, Greg Oliphant
Front Row - Mark Shultz, Vic Tighe, Ian Pearce, Colin Part, Wally Fullerton-Smith, Tony Obst, Bob Jones
In 1977 the Sydney Roosters briefly attracted him, but he was back with the Dolphins the following year and here he stayed, continuing his playing career as a player and subsequently as coach of the Reserve Grade side. In 1993 he became director of the club and was an integral part of the club's phenomenal growth during the next near 3 decades.
His dogged persistence and belief in the game of rugby league and the Redcliffe Dolphins in particular, ultimately paid off. After 33 years of unsuccessfully applying the the club's entry into the NRL, Bob Jones was the first person to learn of the Dolphin's successful bid into the NRL Season of 2023, becoming the national league's 17th franchise. He said it was just reward for a club that plays rugby league at the highest level. The Redcliffe club started in 1947.
Bob Jones is listed on the wall of the Redcliffe Wall of Fame:
A collection of portrait and information honouring the achievements of individuals who have influenced and shaped Redcliffe. The collection is in the Jetty Arcade at 139-141 Redcliffe Parade.
For a complete list of people who appear on the wall click on the following blog post: