Bulldogs History Database
Eric Gilligan
| Player # | 220 |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Ern |
| Position | Wing, Centre |
| Height | 172cm |
| Weight | 89kg |
| DOB | 1st Jun 1932 |
| Origin | Dorrigo, NSW |
| Debut | 1956: Round 1 vs Western Suburbs |
| Rep |
Ern Gilligan joined Canterbury in 1954 as a winger. He progressed to be a regular in reserve grade in his initial season.
After missing most of 1955, Ern was selected in first grade for the start of the 1956 season. Brian Rose was promoted to first grade and Ern spent the rest of the season in the lower grades.
After an interrupted 1957 season, Ern was able to secure a regular first grade position for the second half of the 1958 season.
A regular reserve grade player in 1959, Ern closed out his career by playing in the reserve grade Preliminary Final against North Sydney.
When Eric left Canterbury he went to Forbes as captain Coach and then in 1960 to Moree where they won the priemiership under his Leadership and during that year he represented Country Seconds and then played for Northern Division.
In 1962 Eric moved to South West Rocks and played for Central Kempsey in the Group 2 Competition. This year Central Kempsey won the competition by beating Port Macquarie and Eric scored both Central Kempsey tries. 1962 was the last premiership won by a Kempsey first grade side.
Eric passed away on the 17th April 2011
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