‘True gentleman’: Panthers pay tribute to club icon John Farragher

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John Farragher, who suffered a life-changing spinal injury playing rugby league, has died aged 68.

The former Penrith Panthers front-rower was only 21 years old and playing in just his seventh first-grade game when a scrum collapsed on him during a match against Newtown at Henson Park in 1978.

John Farragher was a much loved figure at the Panthers for decades.

He was rendered a quadriplegic, but his association with the Panthers continued for decades, most recently as a member of the NRL club’s board.

“John Farragher was, and will always be, a cornerstone of the Panthers family. His courage, warmth and commitment to our club inspired generations of players, staff and members,” Panthers Group chairman Peter Graham said.

“He was a true gentleman who represented everything our club stands for. We extend our deepest sympathies to John’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Farragher was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours in 2016 for his service to the club and the game.

Farragher in action for Penrith in 1978.

The Gilgandra-born forward had made his first-grade debut for Penrith only a month before the tragic incident that left him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

In 2007 Farragher described it as a “horrible accident”. But he said “the great thing for me is that the Panthers have always been very supportive of me”.

He returned in 1982 after a lengthy period of rehabilitation, taking on a public relations position at Panthers Leagues Club welcoming people at the door.

“I’ve worked at Panthers for 25 years and made a life for myself, despite what happened,” he said at the time.

The club said in a statement: “For more than four decades, John became one of the most familiar and beloved faces at the club, warmly greeting members and guests and embodying the true spirit of the Panthers community.”

In 2022, Farragher was elected as a director of the Panthers board, a post he still held at the time of his death, which the club announced on Sunday night.

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