Veteran journo still has some tales to tell

JOEL RITCHIE

WELL-KNOWN Illawarra sports journalist Brian Surtees has released a book chronicling some of the memorable moments from his 55 years in print and broadcasting.

Sports Stories is a collection of 86 short stories about the champion individuals and teams, dedicated administrators and colourful characters whose path Brian crossed during his career.

Mr Surtees’ print career included stints at Australian Consolidated Press, the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Telegraph.

After getting his radio start at 2WL (now Wave FM) Mr Surtees moved on to 200 (now i98FM) before heading up 2GB’s ‘Match of the Day’ program for six seasons in the late 1970s.

Along the way Mr Surtees built an impressive array of personal anecdotes, profiles and reports that have been brought together in this 302-page volume.

“It’s a good read; a lot of work has gone into it,” Mr Surtees said.

Among Mr Surtees’ favourite stories from Sports Stories was smuggling so-to-be Balmain league great Keith Barnes out of national service camp to play a final and the day iconic cricket ground Stuart Park played host to a Wests-Wollongong match and a nest of spur-winged plovers at the same time.

Other favourite tales include Mr Surtees’ 1970 trip to England for the league World Cup and a yarn about snooker player Don Spence.

Sports Stories reads as a veritable who’s who of sport in the Illawarra – outright champions, memorable moments and colourful characters are all brought to life.

Mr Surtees paid to have Sports Stories published himself. It is available from Dymocks and other good bookshops for $24.95.

“It was not done to make money – it was for the people I have written about over the years,” Mr Surtees said.

Mr Surtees isn’t just about reporting the sport – he was instrumental in the foundation of the Illawarra Basketball Association, Illawarra Steelers Rugby League Club and the South Pacific Bowls Carnival.