Bob Fulton facts for kids

Robert Fulton (1947–2021), also known as "Bozo", was an amazing Australian rugby league legend. He was a player, coach, selector, and commentator. Many people consider him one of Australia's greatest rugby league players ever.

Fulton won three championships with the Manly Sea Eagles in the 1970s. He was even captain for one of those wins. He played for the Australian national team 35 times, leading them as captain seven times.

After playing, he became a successful coach. He led Manly to two more championships in 1987 and 1996. He also coached the Australian national team in 39 international matches. Bob Fulton was a national selector for the sport. He worked as a radio commentator until he passed away in 2021 at age 73. In 1981, he was named one of the first four "Immortals" of Australian rugby league. In 2008, he was chosen for Australia's Team of the Century.

Early Life and Start in Rugby League

Bob Fulton was born in Stockton Heath, England, in 1947. When he was four years old, his family moved to Australia.

He started his senior football career at 18. He played for Western Suburbs in the Illawarra Rugby League in 1965.

Playing Career Highlights

Joining the Manly Sea Eagles

In 1966, at age 19, Bob Fulton joined the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. He quickly became a key player, often playing as a centre or five-eighth. By 1967, he was playing for his state, New South Wales. In 1968, he became the youngest captain ever in a Grand Final. He led Manly against the Souths.

Fulton played 219 games for Manly between 1966 and 1976. He scored 129 tries, which was a club record for many years. He helped Manly win championships in 1972, 1973, and 1976. In the 1973 Grand Final, he scored two tries to help Manly win.

After the 1976 season, Fulton left Manly. He signed a three-year deal with the Eastern Suburbs club.

Playing for Warrington Wolves

After the 1969 season in Australia, Fulton played for Warrington in England. He played 16 games, scoring 16 tries. He then returned to Manly for the 1970 season.

Time with Eastern Suburbs Roosters

Fulton played 56 games for the Eastern Suburbs club. In his first year, Easts won the pre-season cup. He was also the club's top try-scorer that year. In 1979, he became the captain-coach for the Roosters. A serious knee injury forced him to retire after only eight games that year.

Representing Australia

Fulton first played for Australia in the 1968 Rugby League World Cup. He played in the World Cup Final where Australia beat France. He won three World Cups with Australia (1968, 1970, 1975). He was named the World Cup Man of the Series in 1970.

He played for Australia for eleven seasons. He toured New Zealand in 1971. He also went on the 1973 and 1978 Kangaroo Tours. He played in many Test matches against Great Britain and New Zealand.

In 1978, he was made the captain of the Australian team. He led his country to 4 wins and 3 losses. On both Kangaroo Tours, he was the top try scorer for Australia. Overall, he played 20 Test matches and 15 World Cup games for Australia.

After Playing: Coaching and Commentating

Coaching Success

After retiring as a player, Fulton became the coach of the Eastern Suburbs in 1980. In his first year, he led Easts to the Grand Final.

He returned to Manly as coach in 1983. In 1987, he guided Manly to a championship victory. This made him the first person at Manly to win premierships as both a captain and a coach.

In 1989, Fulton became the coach of the Australian national team. He coached the team in 39 Test matches, winning 32 of them. He led Australia to victory in the 1990 and 1994 Kangaroo Tours. He also coached Australia to win the 1992 and 1995 World Cup Finals.

In 1993, Fulton returned to coach Manly again. He led the club to three Grand Finals in a row starting in 1995. He won his second and final premiership as a coach in 1996. Manly defeated St George 20–8 in that Grand Final.

Role in the Super League War

During the "Super League war," a time when two rival rugby league competitions were forming, Fulton played a big part. As the national coach, he helped sign players to keep the traditional Australian Rugby League (ARL) competition strong.

Selector and Commentator

From 1999, Fulton helped select players for the New South Wales and Australian teams.

From 1997, he was a popular member of the "Continuous Call Team" on radio. He worked on 2UE and later on 2GB, sharing his rugby league knowledge with fans.

National Service

In 1968, Fulton joined the Army for national service. He was posted as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI). This allowed him to continue his professional football career. He also helped troops with physical training on ships.

Awards and Recognition

Bob Fulton received many honors for his contributions to rugby league.

In 1981, he was named one of the first four "Immortals" of Australian rugby league. This is a very special title given to the game's greatest players. He was also inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985.

In 1994, he became a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to rugby league. He received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000. In 2002, he was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame.

In 2008, Fulton was named in Australia's list of "100 Greatest Players". He was also chosen as an interchange player in Australian rugby league's "Team of the Century".

He is one of only two people to have gone on four Kangaroo Tours. He toured as a player in 1973 and 1978, and as the team coach in 1990 and 1994. He is also the only person to have captained and coached Kangaroos touring teams.

Personal Life

Bob Fulton was married to Anne. They had two sons, Scott and Brett, and a daughter, Kristie. Both of his sons also played first-grade rugby league for Manly.

Bob Fulton passed away from cancer on May 23, 2021, at the age of 73. A state funeral was held for him in Sydney. Many people from the Australian sporting world attended to pay their respects.