THE Phillips family took over the Coffs Hotel on 4 March 1996 and from their first year have supported community sports including football, rugby league and union, cricket, netball, hockey, horse racing and a Sikh tug of war team.

In his first year at the pub, Marty Phillips recalls being approached by the local football club.

“Andrew Clark, the captain of Coffs United Football Club popped into the pub in 1997 and asked if we could sponsor the club.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time so I said yes and we’ve been together ever since and I can gladly say it has been a great relationship.

“We are proud the Coffs Hotel has been their home for over two decades, they’ve been a really good club to sponsor.

“They are a great bunch who enjoy getting together for a drink.

“We’ve had some great nights over the years, that’s for sure.

“We have sponsored a lot of community sports teams since 1996 including the mighty Orara Valley Axemen, oztag, Coffs Comets, Bellingen Magpies, Bellingen Braves Basketball, the Woolgoolga Seahorses under their mighty coach Peter Barrett, hockey, netball, and we have been sponsoring Nana Glen Cricket Club for the past four years.

“Steve Knight carried the Olympic baton through the pub on the way to the Sydney Olympics and we had a big party in the beer garden to celebrate, so many good memories,” said Marty.

Coffs United players past and present were at the pub in force last friday as they celebrated the life of one of their fallen soldiers Ronny ‘Razor’ Hansford, a larger than life gentleman who supported Coffs United every chance he got and loved watching his son Nathan, daughter in law Stacey and grandchildren Miller and Ozzie play football.

The iconic pub has been a meeting place for sports teams, a relationship Marty has helped foster over 26 years.

Nana Glen Cricket Club had a stellar campaign, winning the minor premiership and going undefeated all season, but on Friday night’s instead of delivering bouncers they bring home the bacon by raising money for community sports selling tickets for the meat tray.

Marty is a founding committee member of the North Coast Men Of League.

“It’s an organisation who provide support to former and present Rugby League players or even the canteen lady.

“If someone needs help we try our best to help them.

“The Coffs Hotel is hosting the next Men of League fundraiser on Sunday 26 June for the second State Of Origin match which includes entertainment from Gold Coast comedian Danny McMaster,” said Marty.

The Coffs Hotel has helped community clubs and individuals raise hundreds of thousands of dollars over the decades and remains a cornerstone of the community steeped in history.

 

By David WIGLEY