Former North Sydney Bears greats joined hundreds of fans at the club’s spiritual home ground of North Sydney Oval yesterday, as the NSW Rugby League foundation club celebrated its 100th birthday with an array of festivities and a Centenary Plaque unveiling.

A red and black army of supporters enjoyed a welcome dose of sunny weather for the club’s big day, with a select few being lucky enough to play against the likes of Matt Seers, Jason Taylor, Michael Buettner and Greg Florimo in a memorable game of tag football.

The Bears legends versus supporters match was just one of an array of activities showcased throughout the day, with South Sydney coach Jason Taylor backing up to take on fellow goal-kicking supremo Darryl Halligan in a sharp-shooting challenge, while North Sydney mayor Genia McCaffery concluded the day by unveiling the Oval’s unique Centenary Plaque commemorating its place in rugby league history.

Among the supporters were none other than the two sons of the late Frank Hyde, Greg and Mike, both self-confessed Norths fanatics who, like most Norths supporters, haven’t given up hope of a first-grade premiership return for the famous club.

“I’ve grown up with Norths since the early days of the 1940’s – I was born a week before the 1943 grand final and of course that was the last time Norths were in the grand final, and they’ve been my team since then,” Greg Hyde said.

“I’d like to see them back in it again – and I think there’s room for another side up at Central Coast. I hope that’s what happens in the future, because a comp without North Sydney is not a comp as far as I’m concerned.”

Greg Hyde said being at North Sydney Oval to celebrate the Bears’ birthday brought back pleasant memories shared with their famous father, in what was a special bond with the club and the ground itself.

“I’m sure he’s looking down on us,” Greg Hyde said.

“His whole life was rugby league and his family of course, we miss him terribly, and it’s only been five months, so being here today is really something special.

“There’s atmosphere, there’s a depth of feeling this is our place... this is our ground.”

In a sentiment echoed by all supporters present on the day, the brothers described the emotion the famous ground evoked.

“I used to work with dad here when he would broadcast from the ground, and just to wander around here today, it’s so nostalgic – it’s a wonderful place and it’s just got an atmosphere about it,” Mike Hyde said.

“You look at these famous grandstands, and the Ken Irvine scoreboard, the memories are just wonderful at this place.”

Former Bears great Jason Taylor, now plying his trade as a first-grade coach of South Sydney, said the club’s link with a club that was once upon a time a rival, had only been beneficial.

“I think the link with Souths is keeping them strong,” Taylor said.

“To see the red and black colours play in the Premier League final last year was great for all rugby league fans.

“It’s just a beautiful place to come. My best memories of this place is just turning up on a Sunday afternoon when the sun’s shining, and a nice breeze blowing across the game, and winning comfortably – it was always a great afternoon.”

Even Norths' fierce rivals all the way back from 1908, the Newtown Jets, were present to help celebrate a wonderful history.

“I’d like to say congratulations to North Sydney from the Newtown club – we’re both 1908 foundation clubs and we’ve had a rocky road in the last 100 years, but we’re still here,” Newtown Jets Director Glen Dwyer said.

“We particularly look forward to the Frank Hyde Challenge Shield [an annual contest between the two sides] and while we currently hold the Shield, this year might be their year.”

The Bears commemorated their foundation site of the North Sydney School of Arts with a Centenary Plaque last week amidst torrential rain, but there was nothing but sunshine yesterday for a proud club with a bright future.