World record holder cheers on the Blues

Bolton Clarke Cabrini aged care resident and 2006 Guinness World Record holder, Dennis, will be cheering on the Blues for the second round of State of Origin.

Dennis’ love for the game gave him an unexpected claim to fame after scoring an entry in the Guinness World Records as the oldest rugby league player at the age of 70 years and 9 days.

“I had always played rugby league in my younger years but lost time when I was working throughout my life,” Dennis said.

“I used to play for St. Patrick’s Catholic College at the rocks in Sydney because my dad said he wanted to harden me up a bit.

“We would travel out to places like Campbelltown to play in competitions,” he said.

Dennis scored the world record playing as a forward for the State Rail Apprentice football club in a tertiary student competition in Auburn.

“I can’t even remember how I got roped into it, I think it was one of my mates who suggested I play.

“I had been playing for the club for a few years before they made a fuss when I got to 70.

“I didn’t even know at the time about the Guinness World Records, we still have no idea who submitted it,” he said.

Dennis’ wife, Maureen, was always on the sidelines cheering him on and says they were both very involved in the club.

“Everyone would be asking who the older man was playing with the young ones but he managed to keep up and they all respected him,” Maureen said.

“We have always been very active in the football community – we would go to all the barbeques and games because he always loved his football.

“We loved seeing the record in there for him, it was a bit unexpected,” she said.