Barbara ‘Babs’ Kable has supported the Manly Sea Eagles for 70 seasons

BARBARA ‘Babs’ Kable bleeds maroon and white - she’s been a fixture at Brookvale since Manly’s first ever game in 1947 and has cheered them on every single season.

BARBARA “Babs” Kable was present for the birth of the Sea Eagles and has been there offering her devoted support for every one of their 70 seasons.

The sharp-as-a-tack 83-year-old was in the crowd of 4200 when Manly played their first game in the NSW Rugby League first grade competition against Western Suburbs at Brookvale Oval on April 12, 1947.

And she will be in her usual seat in the Jane Try Stand at the “Fortress” on Thursday when the Sea Eagles take on Parramatta.

Kable remembers there was an amazing atmosphere leading up to that first game, which Wests won 15-13.

“We had grown up with most of the blokes who were playing,” she said. “They were our neighbours and our friends. It was exciting. It was a real buzz.”

Kable recalled a sea of people making their way to the ground and the then 14-year-old was dressed up in a white skirt matched with a maroon blazer.

At that time Brookvale Oval had an old wooden stand, which Kable said would have held 50 people, and fans had to be there when the gates were open to get a seat.

She was also in the crowd when Manly won their first ever win that year in round eight 1947, when they beat Parramatta 15-7 at Brookie.

Sea Eagles legend Steve Menzies and lifelong fan Babs Kable.

Manly’s 1947 side.

Manly's Steve Menzies in his pomp at Brookvale, with Brett Stewart looking on.

“The hill was jumping,” she said.

It was fitting that Kable caught up with Sea Eagles legend Steve “Beaver” Menzies at Brookvale Oval in this anniversary week as his grandfather Mackie Campbell was a member of that first Manly team.

And after watching every Manly player over the past 70 years, Babs didn’t hesitate to say “Beaver” was her ­favourite.

“From the time he started, he was local; he was the hero,” she said.

Kable said of the current crop of players it was a toss-up between Brett Stewart and Jamie Lyon.

Few sport fans come close to matching the dedication to their team that Kable has displayed over seven ­decades.

“For me it is something that gets in your blood,” she explained.

“I consider myself a true supporter through thick and thin.”