Robbie Turnbull to Play 200th Game with Bears
Weston Workers FC stalwart Robbie Turnbull is set to play his 200th First Grade fixture in Northern NSW's top flight in front of a home crowd on Sunday against Hamilton Olympic FC in Round 7 of the PS4 NPL.
Turnbull commenced his senior career with Weston in 2004 at 18 years of age after playing junior football with Adamstown Rosebud and became a regular First Grade starter in 2005.
Turnbull is ranked fifth on Weston's all-time longest serving list, only behind Roy Johnson, Tommy Snedden, late uncle John Thomas Turnbull, and teammate Nathan Morris who played his own 200th match just last year.
Having played a major part in the club both on and off the field, Turnbull will be recognised for his achievements during a pre-match presentation conducted by Life Member John Munro.
"Robbie is enthusiastic, he is passionate and he gives 100 percent whether it be at training or in games,' Coach Trevor Morris said, 'He has it all and he really loves the game."
Reflecting on his time with the club, Turnbull believes the achievement is reflective of Weston's ethos.
"It's a milestone for me, but it says a lot about the club and what they're about, to be able to keep two people in the same age still playing in first grade together (himself and Nathan Morris), it shows a lot about where the club has come from in the past ten to twelve years that we have been there," he said.
"You don't try and make too much of it because it's just another game of football, I have a lot of history with the club, I've been with them a long time, there is a lot of family history there and friends that have come through the club," Turnbull said.
"My Uncle John has 228, and I guess that's one of the goals to try and top him off," laughed Turnbull, "There's only five blokes who have done it, so to have myself and my uncle on the list, it's pretty special."
Regarding the opposition, Turnbull is looking forward to taking on a fellow top ranked PS4 NPL squad in his 200th match, and when asked if he is expecting a victory against Olympic stated "Never a doubt in my mind!" continuing, "We've started well, Trevor has brought a lot of confidence and self-belief to the squad, I think it will be a tight game between two teams that I expect at the end of the year to be at the top of the table," Turnbull concluded.
Northern NSW Football would like to congratulate Turnbull on his achievements and wish him the best towards his goal of 228 fixtures to match his uncle.
