JOHNNY BLISS

Winger 1947 - 1953.

Said to be the fastest white man in the World in his time, "Blistering" Johnny Bliss was Australian beach sprint champion for twelve consecutive years from 1939 to 1952.

Hailing from Narrabeen, Bliss joined the Sea Eagles from North Sydney in Manly's inaugural year 1947 playing in the Sea Eagles initial first grade match against Western Suburbs on Saturday April 12 1947. He played in 79 games for the club scoring 42 tries. He played one test for Australia - the first test against France in 1951.

After he retired from playing, Bliss maintained his link to the club as a "sprint guru" to many Manly stars.

He died in 1974 aged 52.

Source: Smith 1991, pp 50 - 51.