Dean Ritchie: North Sydney Bears supporters deserve to have a team back in the NRL

North Sydney Bears fans have remained stubbornly staunch for decades. The sliver of hope afforded to them by ARLC chair Peter V’landys has to be acted on, writes DEAN RITCHIE.

The North Sydney Bears must be reinstated, those long-suffering fans should be affectionately and warmly invited back into the NRL fold.

They are the heartbroken footy fans who doggedly refuse to follow another NRL side. Bears supporters are a resilient and dedicated mob.

They staunchly followed the unluckiest team in rugby league and then painfully watched hated-rivals Manly walk away from their joint venture in 2001 to leave Norths unwanted and unloved.

Yet through it all, Bears fans have remained stubbornly staunch.

Like a loyal dog waiting for its master to return, Bears supporters have been patiently waiting for that joyous moment when their side re-emerges in the NRL.

Perhaps that day is closer than we think after ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys revealed his hopes for a Bears’ return to top-flight rugby league as part of the NRL’s looming expansion plans.

As usual, V’landys has nailed it.

A survey found Norths have 220,000 fans. Most still watch and follow rugby league but never started to cheer for a rival side.They felt disloyal.

Once you’re immersed in red and black, once you’ve sat in the North Sydney Oval fig tree, once you had a pre-game beer at the adjacent Percy’s, you’re Bears until the end.

The Bears have the finances, pathways and brand to return to the NRL. They won’t be known as North Sydney but the foundation club’s logo and colours must be restored.

Rugby league is about tradition, history and passion. The Bears offer all three.

Perth Bears, Pacific Bears, Wellington Bears, it doesn’t really matter, let’s just get them back.

NRL, it’s time.

Stand aside, here come the mighty Bears...

Originally published as Dean Ritchie: North Sydney Bears supporters deserve to have a team back in the NRL