Ken Forbes became the eighth member of the Cootamundra Australian Football Club's Wall of Fame at the club's 2019 presentation night on Saturday.
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Ken was looking to move closer to his home town of Narrandera when his father became seriously ill, so, in 1976, Ken gained an appointment to Cootamundra High School while wife Kathy gained an appointment to Junee High School.
The offer of accommodation and the coaching position with the Cootamundra Blues was a real bonus at this time.
Ken was appointed as Blues coach in 1976, coaching the club through to 1979.
In 1976, the Blues were runners up to East Wagga by 21 points.
The following season Ken brought the third premiership to the Blues as they defeated Marrar in the grand final by 30 points.
In 1979, the Blues missed the finals.
Standing down as coach, the Blues appointed Graham Upton as coach and Ken continued as a player.
The Blues won the flag defeating Marrar in the grand final by a record 84 points.
Ken again coached the Blues in 1982 where they missed the finals.
During Ken's time with the Cootamundra Blues, he was extremely grateful for the assistance given to him by two great Blues Max Rudd and Ron Milthorpe.
It was also in this period that he achieved personal greatness, winning the Central Riverina Football Best and Fairest in 1976 and 1977, a feat still unequalled today.
Ken, who travelled from the Gold Coast to be inducted, followed up by winning the Blues best and fairest in 1978 and 1980.
Between 1976 and 1982, Ken played 119 matches for the Blues.
In 2009, Ken was named in the Blues best team of 50 years. The Citation read "A NSW representative player who was Captain Coach of the Blues from 1976 - 1979 and again in 1982. Tasted Premiership glory in 1977 and was a member of the 1980 premiership side. He was the 1976 and 1977 Central Riverina Best and Fairest winner. A gifted player who ran all day and racked up countless possessions across the park. One of the most respected players of his time who lead by example".
After the citation was read, Ken thanked the Blues committee for his induction into the Wall of Fame stating "I am truly honoured."
Ken also reminisced about the good times he had while in Cootamundra from 1976 to 1982.
Following the presentation, Ken reflected that he was really in the zone of his life as far as football was concerned, confirmed by his winning consecutive Central Riverina Football League best and fairest medals
The previous seven inductees are Jim Clarke, Max Rudd, Ron Millthorpe (all in 2014), Rod Knagge (2015) Warren Meale and Rod Bradley (2016) and Don Oliver (2018).
