Newtown call on Brisbane Jets franchise to reject any plan to wear famous royal blue and white

While they will reluctantly accept the Jets’ nickname being used by a rival rugby league team, Newtown will draw the line when it comes to the use of just about everything else.

John Chicka Ferguson hits it up for the Jets. © Action Photographics

Iconic foundation club Newtown has a direct message for the aspiring Brisbane Jets: Good luck with your NRL bid, but don’t disrespect us by pinching our proud heritage, colours or emblem.

Brisbane Jets are early favourites among three consortiums vying to become the NRL’s 17th club for season 2023.

The Newtown Jets – a club founded in 1908 – reluctantly accept the Jets’ nickname being used by a rival rugby league team but will react with anger if the second Brisbane side used Newtown’s famous 113-year royal blue and white colours.

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John Ferguson was a cult figure for the Newtown Jets.

The issue was discussed at Newtown’s board meeting on Monday.

“We would say good luck to them if their consortium wins, but we would ask them to respect the heritage of the Newtown Jets in choosing colours and emblems,” said Newtown chairman Barry Cotter.

“If they indicated they were going to use blue and white, we would ask them to have chat with us.

“It would disappointing if there was another team in the NRL called the Jets. We understand that could be the way it is, but we would more upset if they were going to be blue and white.

“Newtown was there since 1908, we don’t intend to go anywhere and we want to preserve that heritage. Newtown is all about the history of rugby league – the tribalism and working class origins of rugby league.”

Asked for his feelings should Brisbane choose blue and white, Cotter said: “We’d be very disappointed. I don’t know whether they will because I think they will respect us.

“But there is a recognition that one of the frontrunners is the Brisbane Jets.”

The Newtown Jets don’t want the Brisbane Jets to wear their colours.

Known previously as the Bluebags, Newtown became the Jets in 1973.

Newtown was forced out of the top-flight NSWRL after the 1983 season due to financial difficulties but remain in the second-tier Canterbury Cup.

Former Jets star fullback Phil Sigsworth said: “I suppose if they have team in a blue and white jersey called the Jets, what happens if they ever go to a competition and they have to play against the Newtown Jets?

“That’s where it would get a bit confusing in regards to colours. They are going to have to get a different colour when you think about it like that. But I don’t have a problem with them being called the Jets.”

Newtown is the defending Canterbury Cup premiers after winning the 2019 grand final before having last season cancelled through COVID.

“There is a lot of history with Newtown and, ultimately, we didn’t willingly leave the top-level competition,” Cotter said.

“But we are realists and have found a place in the second-tier competition and we do well at it and we want to keep that heritage going.

Phil Sigsworth played with Newtown for six seasons.

“While Newtown is no longer a working class area, it’s principles – and the way it goes about its operation – are very much in the spirit of that original start of rugby league, its grassroots, it’s for the people.”

Competing consortiums, Brisbane Bombers and Ipswich, will merge to form a powerful bid side known as the Brisbane Jets.

It is unknown what colours Brisbane Jets would use if accepted for 2023.

The NRL is expected to announce a new 17th side in Brisbane in June or July this year. The Jets moniker is also used by Newcastle in the A-League. 

Originally published as Newtown call on Brisbane Jets franchise to reject any plan to wear famous royal blue and white