Bob Fulton and Malcolm Reilly awarded naming honour of Ashes top performer trophy

Immortal Bob Fulton and British great Malcolm Reilly, former rivals who became premiership-winning teammates at Manly will have their names forever linked to rugby league’s most historic international contest.

The premiership-winning duo were fierce international rivals.

Two rugby league legends will be immortalised through the introduction of a prestigious new award for the Ashes player-of the series.

The ARL Commission and England’s RFL have united to unveil the Fulton-Reilly award, named after Kangaroos Immortal Bob Fulton and Great Britain champion Malcolm Reilly.

Both were also Manly Sea Eagles premiership-winning players.

The award will be presented to the best player across the three-Test match series, which starts this weekend in London.

“Bob Fulton and Malcolm Reilly were not only two of the greatest players to play the game, they were the benchmark of how much it means to represent your country,” ARL chairman Peter V’landys said.

“They went head-to-head as players, coaches, won premierships together, and earned respect on both sides of the world.

Reilly is a treasured part of both Manly and Newcastle.

“This new award recognises their legacy and the fierce, proud tradition of Ashes football.”

Reilly described the rivalry between Australia and England as “fierce.”

“This (award) is an honour – especially to be recognised alongside Bobby Fulton, who was such a wonderful rugby league player and coach, and also a great friend over many years,” Reilly said.

“Our sporting rivalry with Australia is fierce but also built on mutual respect, and I am delighted it is being revived with the rugby league Ashes series this year.”

Australian-raised Fulton was born in Warrington before playing 35 Tests for the Kangaroos, including four Ashes series.

He won three premierships at Brookvale as a player and a further two more titles as head coach.

Fulton has a long and storied history with the Kangaroos.

Fulton later coached Australia to unprecedented success, winning 32 from 39 Tests for a success rate of 82 per cent.

Castleford champion Reilly was part of Great Britain’s 1970 Ashes victory before joining Fulton at Manly, where he helped the Sea Eagles to premierships in 1972 and 1973.

Manly’s Fulton and Newcastle Reilly clashed as rival coaches in the 1997 ARL grand final.

“These two men battled for the Ashes across three decades,” said V’landys.

“They were mates. They were rivals. They were winners. The Fulton-Reilly award is about honouring history, excellence and inspiring the next generation to represent their nation.”

The opening Ashes Test will be played at London’s Wembley Stadium this Saturday afternoon (Sunday morning AEDT).

The Kangaroos will hope to do Fulton proud during the Ashes series.

Further Tests will be played in Liverpool and Leeds.

Around 60,000 fans will attend the London game with a 52,000 sellout crowd in Everton and a further 20,000 sellout at famous Headingley in Leeds.

The Wembley attendance will set a new UK Ashes crowd record, surpassing 57,034 for game one in 1994.