The South Sydney Rabbitohs are mourning the passing of former player Alan Wong, who died recently at the age of 88.
Mr Alan Keith Wong was born in 1934 in Cobar and his family, who were of Chinese background, came to Sydney from Cobar when Alan was only four years old. He has been a Souths man ever since who often came to see his former mates at our regular reunions arranged by the R-Ageing Rabbits.
Alan played for the mighty Rabbitohs between 1953 and 1957, mainly as a halfback. The strong Souths team during that era had many top-line players including the Australian halfback, Col Donohue, which made it difficult for Alan to crack a first grade spot.
Mr Wong’s junior clubs were Cleveland Street and South Sydney Fernleigh. Souths graded him in 1953 and he managed to play in 37 reserve grade games, scoring two tries, and 42 third grade games, scoring five tries. He was the first player of Chinese origin to play for this grand old club. When he played for Souths he was, like so many of his teammates, employed as a waterside worker.
He later became a highly respected selector with Souths between 1976–79.
Mr Wong was also an excellent chef, him and his brother Roy had a Chinese Restaurant in Kings Cross for many years.
Former Souths prop forward, the late John ‘Lurch’ O’Neill, built the Wong’s lovely family home in Maroubra.
Alan has always been well looked after by his devoted wife Fay.
On behalf of everyone connected to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Alan Wong at this difficult time.
