16 Facts About Ken Arthurson

Kenneth Richard "Arko" Arthurson AM was born on 1 October 1929 and is an Australian rugby league football identity.

Ken Arthurson made his first grade debut in the 1950 NSWRFL season for the three-year-old Manly-Warringah club under the coaching of former Kangaroo tourist and Australian test captain Wally O'Connell, who had moved to Manly from Eastern Suburbs.

Just three weeks into his stint at Parkes in a match between Northern and Southern NSW Zones in April 1953, Ken Arthurson was badly injured.

Ken Arthurson was rushed to Parkes District Hospital in a serious condition with a fractured skull.

Ken Arthurson had taken part in only two other matches since his arrival.

Ken Arthurson was later to spend three months in hospital recuperating from his injury and never played Rugby League again.

Ken Arthurson was first grade coach from 1957 to 1961, making the semi-finals every year and the 1957 Grand Final as a 27-year-old.

Ken Arthurson's side made another Grand Final appearance in 1959.

Ken Arthurson held this post for 20 years, during which time he helped build the Sea Eagles into one of the most successful clubs in the league by use of his negotiating skills and the club's finances, something which made Manly the team others loved to hate.

Ken Arthurson was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1988 "in recognition of service to Rugby League football".

On 28 February 1997, in order to improve the chances of a peace deal with Super League being reached, Ken Arthurson resigned as ARL chairman.

Also in 1997, Ken Arthurson released his book, Arko, My Game.

On 24 October 2000, Ken Arthurson was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his fourteen years presiding over the NSWRL and ARL.

The Ken Arthurson Stand, located in the south-eastern corner at Brookvale Oval and linking the Jane Try and Lyons-Menzies stands, is named in his honour and was officially opened by Arthurson and the Mayor of Warringah Council Brian Green on Sunday 14 June 1995.

In November 2009, Ken Arthurson was awarded the 'Spirit of Rugby League Award' by the Rugby League International Federation, in their inaugural awards presentation.

Ken Arthurson was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2010.