Western Bears: North Sydney fan Ben Horne opens up on his team’s resurrection

The Bears might be league’s perennial, trophy-starved underdogs, but this ranks as one of the most incredible comeback stories in the history of Australian sport. And lifelong fan BEN HORNE still can’t quite believe it.

The Bears are Back!

“Bears are in!”

These were the words I’ve longed to hear for 25 years, and they finally flashed up on my phone via a text message from my sports editor on Friday afternoon.

I couldn’t believe it. And I still can’t.

Even though a partnership between Perth and the Bears has been mooted now for the past couple of months, it just seemed too impossible to be true.

That a team dead – but not buried – for a quarter of a century could return to the NRL once more.

The Bears are back! North Sydney, WA sign historic agreement.

The Bears might be league’s perennial, trophy-starved underdogs, but this ranks as one of the most incredible comeback stories in the history of Australian sport.

My first emotion writing this, is just immense gratitude to one man – Greg Florimo.

Others have taken a more prominent role in making this WA partnership happen, and well done to them, but without ‘Flo’ as the glue holding the place together through so many false dawns, this miracle would never have been possible.

Florimo is North Sydney’s George Piggins, and red and black supporters everywhere are in his debt for selflessly dedicating himself to a cause that appeared hopeless for so long.

A young Ben Horne pictured with Bears legend Billy Moore.

This is a landmark day for the Bears, but the most important pillar in this bold new partnership is that this will be Perth’s team. Bears fans should want them to feel complete ownership of this side, but feel the fibre and soul that 116 years of history and tradition can bring.

So what if there’s a flash of yellow on the jersey? This is a small concession when it’s been 25 years in the wilderness – and it’s only right, because this is Western Australia’s team.

The first derby rematch against Manly will be something to savour, whether that’s at North Sydney Oval or Allianz Stadium.

Bears fans – let’s get out to North Sydney Oval on Sunday afternoon for the Bears’ clash against Newtown and celebrate something even sweeter than a premiership – and that’s new life.