Some of the younger players who run out for Dubbo CYMS this weekend have known nothing but success during their time with the club.
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For the bulk of the past two decades CYMS has been a Group 11 powerhouse with a plethora of premierships, minor premierships, and club championships to its name.
But success didn't always seemingly go hand-in-hand with the club and this weekend many of those who have played a role in making the club what it is will be recognised.
The Fishies take on the Nyngan Tigers at No. 1 Oval on Saturday and a massive crowd is expected as the club is also making it a reunion weekend.
The premiership-winning sides from 1971, 2001, and 2011 will be recognised and return to the Fishies' spiritual home in a special event for the proud club.
"It will be unreal," Nick Wilson, a member of both the 2001 and 2011 sides and an organiser of the reunion, said.
"For the last 19 years we've been there or thereabouts. There's been a couple of lean years but not too many I can remember. We've always been up there. If we're not winning it we're in the grand final or around the mark.
"From a club perspective we want to acknowledge the past but also want these young kids around the club to see what people did before and how much work went into it."
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In 1971 CYMS won all three premierships on offer and 50 years later that remains the only time the club has achieved that.
The first grade side - captained by the great Ken McMullen - defeated Parkes that day while the reserve grade and juniors both defeated crosstown rivals Macquarie.
That remains one of the club's greatest achievement but the 2001 success also stands out and its impact has only become greater since.
It was in 2001 when Justin Yeo, the father of current Origin star Isaah Yeo, returned from time in Sydney with the Balmain Tigers and the North Sydney Bears to start the current era of success.
CYMS was enduring its longest premiership drought, having not won a title since 1986, but with Yeo and Bernard Wilson at the helm the side achieved the ultimate prize in 2001, 2002, and 2003 before Tim Ryan took over as coach and led them to a fourth consecutive titles in 2004.
"The culture of the club changed in 2001 and success came after that," Wilson said.
"You put the work in and you got the results. Justin set a whole new standard for Group 11 footy out here that no club has been able to rival since.
"There was a big focus on training. You had to be accountable for your actions and you couldn't poke along in the background.
"You made a mistake you had to own it, as simple as that. If you weren't performing, it didn't matter who you were, you'd drop back to reserve grade."
The club wouldn't where it is today without he people who came before us.
- Nick Wilson
Wilson was there again in 2011 when the Blake Tremain-Cannon and Luke Jenkins-coached side overcame four losses from five games to start the season to down minor premiers Parkes on their own turf in the decider.
"They (2001 and 2011) are the pick of my nine grand final wins because they were on the road, against all odds. No-one expected us to win so they're the most special," Wilson said.
"We were massive underdogs over there (in 2001) and no one expected us to win. We were down at half-time so that was a pretty special day."
If the start of the 2021 season is anything to go by, CYMS could be in for another special year.
After the first five rounds the Fishies are on top of the ladder in three of the four divisions and no side is yet to suffer a loss.
The first grade side, now being coached by Shawn Townsend, has scored at least 40 points in each of its matches this season and sits comfortably at the top ahead of 2019 premiers Wellington and rivals Macquarie, who were the talk of the off-season after a major recruitment drive.
"They're developing at the moment," Wilson said of the side.
"I don't think they're anywhere near their best, the first grade side, but they're improving each week.
"Shaggy (Townsend) has put a bit of a different focus on things and mixed it up a little so they're doing really well.
"I don't know if we'll be able to keep up with the millionaires' club across the road in Macquarie but we'll do our best."
The action on Saturday starts with the St John's under 6s showing their skills before league tag kicks off at 10.30am.
First grade is scheduled to kick-off at 2pm in front of the reunion at the No. 1 Oval clubhouse.
"The club wouldn't where it is today without he people who came before us," Wilson added.
"Each year we're hoping to make the June long weekend an Old Boys' day and have as many people come back as possible and acknowledge those who kept the club going.
"I can't remember the last time we all got together and had a beer."
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