Tackling rugby league history in the regions

He is collating the premiers and the teams, from 1st and 2nd division competitions over the past 60-70 years, to be published.

The eight-year project has led him to the Upper Lachlan Shire. 

According to Mr Murdoch's records, historic teams that played in the Crookwell competition include, Grabben Gullen, Taralga, Binda, Bigga, Laggan, Gunning and Marulan.

He wants to record the history for the fans. "Football is tribal and people love their colours," he said.

He has record of clubs in regional towns, including the Tottenham Turtles, in the Central West.

A year they made the finals they had t-shirts printed that had the slogan, "The fastest turtles in the west."

Then there's the Gulargambone Galahs, and Bingara in New England: "In the spring the cows are on the paddock", and in Newcastle, "that's how they mowed the lawn."

Although, many ex-players have now passed or the clubs closed.

"I'm lucky I've got most of this done. Those people who are gone are full of information you can't buy," he said.

"The old Sydney competition, like Newtown, they're not playing in the main league. Like Laggan, they're gone.

"All the country towns produce such great players.

"Little towns that produce such great players, John Quayle he played for Parramatta and is probably the best administrator the rugby league ever had, and he's from Manilla.

"Norm and Peter Provan, two great players."

Murdoch, who played for the West Maitland Wallaroos, is a Roosters fan.

"I was a Rooster ever since I could watch football... Arthur Beetson was my hero," he said.

His book is expected to be published in 2020.