“I just wanted to give the ultimate support”

Through thick and thin, Lance Harkus has shown incredible support for the Roosters.

Since adopting the Roosters as his team more than 50 years ago, his commitment to the Club has grown each year.

“I came to Sydney from the bush and spent the first 10 years of my life in Sydney in the Eastern Suburbs and played junior league for one the Roosters teams so it was easy – Roosters all the way,” he said.

“There was some pretty thin times. In 1966 we did not win a game, but not long after that we had the advent of Jack Gibson and Arthur Beetson and those great players, 1974-75 was such a great team.”

In 1996, Lance decided to make the switch from fan to Member and has loved being part of the Club’s recent success.   

It is great being a Member of the Club. You are so much more involved

Lance Harkus Ultimate Member

“it is great being a Member of the Club. You are so much more involved, so much closer to the action, and you get to know the players,” he said.

“it was mainly about having the time. Both my wife and I had very involved years and we didn’t really have the time to commit to a season’s Membership and get to the games, but that changed in the mid-90s for both of us.

“(The Club’s success) is the culmination of a lot of hard work from many people. Obviously the players, but Trent Robinson and his staff are doing a superb job. Not only are they building a winning team – that has won two premierships in a row and hoping for a third – but when you see Trent Robinson stand up and hear what he has to say, you just feel proud to be a Member.

“The other thing that makes me proud to be a Rooster is that a lot of other clubs have adopted all sorts of unusual jersey designs, but you never can mistake a Roosters jersey. They have always been the same, although they do vary season to season. It is a great jumper, they don’t change it too often and that is great.”

His love for the current crop of Roosters can’t be denied, with the die-hard fan rattling off more than five players among his favourites.

“We’ve got so many brilliant players. Teddy (James Tedesco) is number one, Boyd Cordner is such a good captain, Jake (Friend) is another good captain and always 110% effort every week, Jared (Waerea-Hargreaves), (Daniel) Tupou, Sitili (Tupouniua), Sio Siua (Taukeiaho) – they are all great players.”

Lance is now one of the Club’s Ultimate Members. This season is the first time Ultimate Club Member program has sold out.

Lance and his fellow Ultimate Members shared an exclusive Ultimate Club hospitality experience at the Club’s Round 16 home game.

Not only were they treated to a wonderful 58-12 win against the Broncos, Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello visited their area to mingle, take photographs and thank them for their incredible support this season.  

“I just wanted to give the ultimate support to the team, and of course there are benefits of being an Ultimate Member that I do enjoy like here this evening, Captains Club, and all those sort of things,” Lance said.

“Although we can’t do it today because of COVID, but another benefit is at functions like this where 2 or 3 players who are injured or not in the team would come to talk to the Members and spend time with us, which is great.”

Minichiello visited the Ultimate Members during half-time and hung around to cheer as the Roosters piled on early second-half points.

“I had a great time meeting our Ultimate Members. It was great to have a chat with them and hear their passion and love for the Club,” Minichiello said.

We are grateful to them and all of our Members for their amazing support this season

Anthony Minichiello Club Legend

“The support they have shown during a financially tough year for everyone is incredible, and we are grateful to them and all of our Members for their amazing support this season.”

Membership is a great way to support the Club, with all money from Membership fees going directly to the Club and helping the Roosters remain in a strong position on and off the field.

With 2021 Memberships set to go on sale soon, Roosters Members and fans are encouraged to stay up to date by regularly checking the Club’s website, social media channels and Roosters Membership website to find out information on packages when they go on sale.