By NORMAN TASKER

In most walks of life, and certainly among Sydney’s Shute Shield Rugby clubs, great men tend to define great eras. Gordon men certainly have been reflecting on that truism lately following the passing of two important club characters in Arthur Summons and John Fordham.

Their impact on Gordon came decades apart, and in very different ways. Summons was a champion player who helped Gordon to two premierships in his six seasons with the club.

He was one of eight Wallabies in the 1956 premiership team, and by the time he left to become an icon of Rugby League, he had played 10 Tests for Australia.

Fordham managed teams through the late 1970s and early 1980s, where his talent for organisation, innovation and imagination – talents that won him wide renown later on as a manager of leading sports people and media personalities – helped lift the club to one of its most productive eras. More of Fordham later.

Gordon have decided to honour both men at the match-of-the-day at Chatswood this week, when a resurgent club takes on Warringah. A brief ceremony will be held to reflect on their contribution to the club, and the Gordon team will wear black armbands as a mark of respect.