CLIFF LYONS FOOTY CARD GALLERY
Follow @NRLTweetPublished November 29, 2020
The footy card (and subsequent stick of borderline unchewable chewing gum) was one of the cornerstones of Rugby League fandom during the 1980s and 1990s and to celebrate the evolution from sticker book to trading card - here is a selection of cards featuring Manly-Warringah's Cliff Lyons from 1987 through 1995.
Lyons debuted with North Sydney (something a lot of people don't realised actually happened) in 1985 playing 23 games before moving to Manly for the 1986 season.
But as a new player for 1986 he wasn't featured in Manly's nine player set on the new playing card format (the fact he wouldn't have had an in-game photo in a Manly jersey from 1985 likely a big reason given production timelines) as he missed out to Paul Vautin, Glenn Ryan, Richie Poulsen, Mark Pocock, Des Hasler, Marty Gurr, Mal Cochrane, Noel Cleal and a moustached Dale Shearer (shown below for an example of the 1986 card design).
But from 1987 through 1995 - Cliffy Lyons featured heavily in every playing card run.
Here is one from each season, sourced from various internet listings primarily on ebay. If you are interested in any of the items Cliff Lyons search on ebay will get you where you want to be quick smart.
1987 - Scanlens.
1988 - Scanlens.
1989 - Scanlens.