Ron Gibbs hopes Manly supporters treat Daly Cherry-Evans better than they treated him

Ron Gibbs knows what it is like to be booed by his own supporters at Brookvale Oval, and the Manly legend has a word of advice for any Sea Eagles fans who plan to sledge Daly Cherry-Evans on Sunday.

The controversial Manly player famously condemned at Brookvale Oval has claimed Sea Eagles fans would be “weak” to jeer skipper Daly Cherry-Evans this Sunday.

Ron ‘Rambo’ Gibbs attracted heavy criticism from Manly supporters after signing with Gold Coast midway through 1987

And he’s hopeful Cherry-Evans doesn’t get the same treatment.

“I really hope they don’t boo Cherry-Evans,” he said.

After defecting to Gold Coast for 1988, and having replaced club legend Terry Randall, Gibbs had to endure a giant sign on the Brookvale hill which roared: ‘GIVE BACK RANDALL’S JUMPER.’

Gibbs desperately attempted to play through the drama and ultimately inspired Manly to grand final glory that year.

Now Gibbs has urged Manly fans to support Cherry-Evans to the hilt.

Cherry-Evans, 36, revealed earlier this week that he would quit Manly post-season after 15 seasons at the club.

Manly legend Ron Gibbs. Picture: Wayne Jones

IT WOULD BE PRETTY WEAK IF THEY DO BOO HIM

“They (Manly fans) turned on me a lot. When I would walk into the ground, or around the ground, I had people jeering me and sneering at me,” Gibbs said.

“I could hear them talking.

“There was that time when they said, ‘Give Randall’s jumper back.’ They had it written on a big sheet and I saw it when I ran out onto the field.

“All I did in those days was try and play my normal game and play the best I could to shut anyone up and I think Daly will do the same.

“It would be pretty weak if they do boo him. He is such a professional, he always has been.

“My actions on the field, and the actions of the team, changed (the fan’s thinking). We were winning and I was putting in 100 per cent, I actually put in 120 per cent every game.

“I didn’t affect me and I wasn’t dirty on the fans. That was their opinion and I had to do what was right for my family.”

Manly fans appear more likely to cheer Cherry-Evans, although the long-time halfback can expect to be castigated at times during Sunday afternoon’s home game against Parramatta.

The game will be sold out.

“I really hope they don’t boo him given what he’s done for the club and for the way he’s playing at the moment,” Gibbs said.

“I don’t think it would upset him that much. And, as long as Manly win, that might change their minds.

“Manly fans should support Daly to the hilt and I know his teammates will. If he’s going, he’s going – you can’t do anything about it.

“I know Daly personally and I class him as a good friend and he will give 100 per cent for the club right until the end. That’s all he can do.

“If he’s going to a new club, well, good as gold.

“We need him for the grand final.

“(The Manly coach) Bob Fulton said we wouldn’t have won the grand final in 1987 without me. I have paper clippings to prove it. ’Bozo’ said they had to play me.

“Daly is a key player and we need him to win another one (grand final) for us. I will support him 100 per cent for what he does on and off the field.”

Originally published as Ron Gibbs hopes Manly supporters treat Daly Cherry-Evans better than they treated him