THE old saying "like father, like son'' holds true for Allen Morphett and Glenn Gray as the pair proudly watch their sons take to the rugby league field for Kingsgrove Colts, wearing the same jersey they grew up in.
As the club begins to celebrate its 50th year in St George junior rugby league, Morphett has lived a life with the blue, red and white colours of the Colts running through his veins.
Morphett, coach of the under-12s team which includes his son Ty, began his career at the Colts four decades ago.
"I love the place,'' Morphett said. "That's why sometimes I get a little too passionate.''
Morphett began his career as a four-year-old and played 25 seasons at the club.
"I've loved putting back into the place since I stopped playing,'' Morphett said.
When it was time for Ty to lace on a pair of football boots, Morphett had no hesitation in returning to Beverly Hills Park where he spent the majority of his childhood.
"The first time Ty played in the under-6s it brought a tear to my eye,'' Morphett said. "I just loved it. I wouldn't think about going to another club and it doesn't enter Ty's mind either.''
Although Heathcote is now his home, Morphett has no intentions of leaving the club which won the 2006 and 2007 junior club championship for the best performing junior club. It takes Morphett 30 minutes to get to training, twice a week.
Despite living opposite lives, the Colts connection is something that draws the likes of Morphett and Gray back to the club.
Gray, manager of the premiership winning under-11s side, watches his son William run around each weekend.
"I have fond memories from playing with the Colts and it's been fantastic to have my son play with the same club 40 years later,'' Gray said.
"It's a tremendous achievement for a local rugby league club to be around for 50 years and what a great asset for the local sporting community and St George district it has been.''
The clubs' greatest export has been former Dragons winger Michael Sorridimi (88 first grade games) who played in the premiership-winning 1979 team.
John French (two first grade games) and John Conway (four first grade games) also called the Colts home during their career.
Former South Sydney coach Shaun McRae played for Kingsgrove as did current club patron and Federal Attorney-General and Barton MP, Robert McClelland.
"It's a lot more slicker operation then it was,'' Gray said. "In the 1960s it was a fledging organisation.''
Over the past decade the club has moved away from operating out of a caravan and, with the assistance of Hurstville Council, has added start-of-the-art dressing sheds and a canteen.
Last year the club installed floodlights and is now capable of hosting night matches.
Details: Kingsgrove Colts will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with a dinner on Friday, May 30, at the Grand Roxy, Brighton-le-Sands. Entertainment includes Jane Scali and comedian Paul Martel. Rugby league great John Peard will be the guest speaker. Tickets: Leba, 0418449526.