Newcastle Knights lanch Hall of Fame

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS LAUNCH HALL OF FAME

The Hunter Ports Newcastle Knights are pleased to announce the launch of the Newcastle Knights Hall of Fame as the cornerstone of the Club's 25th year celebrations.

The Knights newly formed Advisory Board felt the formation of a Hall of Fame was an appropriate way to celebrate the Club's 25 year history which has featured premiership wins in 1997 and 2001.

The key objectives of the Hall of Fame is to acknowledge former greats of the Club and their contribution to the Knights both on and of the field in a region so rich in rugby league culture.

The Hall of Fame is supported by the Newcastle Herald and NBN, which will provide an opportunity for the Knights huge supporter base to contribute with their vote on the top 25 players.

The fans can vote through the Newcastle Herald, NBN and Knights websites from Thursday February 9.

The top 25 will be announced to coincide with the Knights opening game of the Club's 25th year against the St George Illawarra Dragons on March 1.

The selection panel with then reduce the list to a top 10 to be announced on Friday Match 16 at the Knights game against the Brisbane Broncos.

The Knights will hold a Hall of Fame and 25 year anniversary dinner on April 4 where the founding four members will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The four inductees will then be presented to the crowd at the Knights Round 6 clash with the Parramatta Eels, the Club's first opponent 25 years ago.

Players and coaches must be retired to be eligible.

Each following year, the selection panel will nominate up to two inductees each year.

The selection panel for the Hall of Fame is Michael Hill, Leigh Maughan, Alan Bell, Mike Rabbitt and Brett Keeble.

Knights CEO Matthew Gidley said the selection panel had a wealth of experience and they were the perfect combination to ensure these prestige appointments would go to the best possible contributors to the Club both on and off the field.

"This is the greatest honour a former coach or player at our Club can receive," Gidley said.

"The panel will weigh up all aspects of a player or coaches career from number of games right though to their contribution as a clubman.

"I am also excited that the fans will have a vote to nominate our top 25 players.

"I'm sure this will provide plenty of debate with crowd favourites being weighed up against long term and loyal contributors.

"One thing is for certain, I am glad I don't have the responsibility of selecting the first four inductees."

For fans to enter and vote they can go to the Knights, NBN or Newcastle Herald websites. There will also be a voting form published in the Newcastle Herald.