ONE was the Knights inaugural Australian representative, the other was credited with helping to safeguard the NRL club’s future during the Nathan Tinkler turmoil.
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Both Mark Sargent and Rob Tew were popular choices on Thursday night when they became life members of the Newcastle Knights.
Sargent played 126 games for the Knights between 1989 and 1995 after he returned home to Newcastle from Canterbury and was the club’s only Rothmans Medallist in 1989.
‘‘It’s the highest honour a club can bestow on a former player or someone who has contributed,’’ Sargent said.
‘‘It’s a pretty humbling moment.’’
Asked whether he was confident about the future of the Knights under the NRL’s ownership, Sargent said: ‘‘What I’m very encouraged about it, and it was reflected in the meeting, by the quality of the board that’s been put in place.
‘‘There’s a lot of business experience and nous there and it puts us in good stead.’’
The Queensland-bred Tew scored the first points in the Knights’ history in 1988 and coached at the club, but is better know for his role as the club chairman who brokered the 2011 Tinkler takeover of the club and the safety net of the $10.53 million bank guarantee.
‘‘Lots of great things have happened to us since I came to Newcastle and we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for an invitation to play here,’’ Tew said.
‘‘I’ve got fond memories and it’s played an important part in our life.’’
