Former North Sydney Bears hooker Norm Strong has vowed to don his footy gear and "have another run'' if the Bears ever make it back to first grade. Mr Strong was one of rugby league's oldest surviving foundation club players who gathered at the SCG on Monday to celebrate their club's centenary birthday.

Although no longer feverishly following football, the retired engineer watches it on television from time to time.

He was deeply upset by the removal of the Bears from first grade rugby league. The club now plays in the Premier League, the next competition level below the NRL.

"I was very much upset by the decision, it was a little bit distressing for me for a while, because I thought the club could have been saved,'' he said.

"If they ever make it back then I'll bring my gear down and have another run.''

Mr Strong made his first grade debut for the Bears at the age of 17 and went on to play 16 seasons in the red and black jersey from 1947 to 1962.

Mr Strong says rugby league has changed over the years. ``When we played it was unlimited tackles and the hooker was very important to the game,'' he said.

"You never knew who was going to win the ball and tackles only ever included one or two men.

"These days, you can see up to three or four tacklers on the one guy, and many of the rules have been modified.''

Mr Strong said that footballers' lifestyle has also drastically changed.

"Back when I played football you had to go to work as well, you had to have a job, you definitely couldn't just rely on football, there was barely any money in the game,'' he said.

"These days they've all got penthouses and a string of girls, the whole box and dice.''

And Mr Strong's career highlight?``I think the highlight was when I was first graded,'' he said.

"Better than that, was when I was graded in first grade.''