Tribute: Tom Searle is remembered by Tweed Seagulls CEO and close friend Matt Francis

Walking into Tom Searle’s fundraising luncheon late last year was like walking into an Australian rugby league Hall of Fame.

WALKING into Tom Searle’s fundraising luncheon late last year was like walking into an Australian rugby league Hall of Fame.

Former NRL stars, Australian coaches, Titans coaches and even a surfing world champion all gathered at the Kirra Beach Hotel in December last year to support their sick mate.

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Around 600 people poured into the room, a hearty reminder of the masses of souls “Tommy” had touched, even before his year-long battle with brain cancer ended on Monday at 73-years-old.

Tom Searle after winning a premiership with the Tweed Seagulls. Supplied.

Interim Tweed Seagulls CEO Matt Francis expects even more to gather for his funeral.

“Towards the end of last year, we had a benefit for Tommy and about 500 or 600 people turned up,” Francis said.

“In that room, it was the history of rugby league on the Gold Coast.

“There were two Australian coaches Frank Stanton and Mal Meninga but they weren’t there as the attraction, they were to support Tommy.

“It was the living history of rugby league on the Gold Coast and brought together people from all different eras and backgrounds.

“Tommy was the connective tissue, the collective glue that brought those eras together.”

Tom Searle after winning a premiership with the Tweed Seagulls. Supplied.

Francis and Searle first met outside of rugby league, working together to help source traineeships and apprenticeships for young kids.

They kept in contact when Francis went on to work in player education and welfare at the NRL before reuniting at the Gold Coast Titans where Searle dragged Francis down to his beloved Tweed Seagulls.

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“Tommy has been the constant in my work and home over the last 20 years and the Seagulls have always been a part of Tommy’s life and they became a part of mine,” Francis said.

“He was a great friend and mentor to me and was a special person in my life so it’s been really special to see how much he meant to other people.

“The number of calls I’ve fielded who spoke so emotionally about the difference he made to their lives, not just rugby league lives, it speaks to Tommy.”

“He had a rare knack of making individuals feel special.

“Through the tough times and the hard times, Tommy made people feel special.

“The club itself went through some tough and hard times but Tommy was always there and gave people a sense of hope, that’s his legacy.

“He was a lover of life and enjoying people’s company.”

Tom Searle in action for the Tweed Seagulls. Supplied.

Francis also highlighted Searle’s ability to identify rugby league’s next big thing, giving starts to the likes of Ben Ikin, Preston Campbell, Ryan James and Kevin Gordon among others.

“He’s identified and given starts to some players who have represented on the highest level,” he said.

“There are still players who speak about the impact he had on them on and off the field.

“Preston especially was a small, young shy aboriginal kid from Inverell and nobody showed an interest in him but Tommy brought him down and he lived in his house and gave him a chance.”

Francis said the Seagulls would look to honour Searle in early July in the hope of COVID-19 restrictions lifting.