Bob Tate on the Golden Era of Publand, Sporting Secrets, and the Future of Junior Footy
In this episode of Chiming In, Chimes sits down with the legendary Bob Tate, the long-time owner-operator of the famous Clovelly Hotel. Tate lifts the lid on a time when the "Cloey" was the unofficial headquarters of the NRL, sharing hilarious behind-the-scenes stories of sporting icons and discussing his new mission in junior rugby league.
The "Switzerland" of Rugby League
During the height of the Super League wars in the mid-90s, the Clovelly Hotel became a neutral ground where the game’s biggest deals were brokered. Tate recalls how administrators, journalists, and players would gather on the "licensed footpath" to thrash out stories before they hit the press. Regulars included David Gallop, Phil Gould, and Jeff Carr, creating a unique environment where the game’s future was often decided over a schooner.
Alfie Langer: The Human Battering Ram
Tate shares a classic origin story from a Sunday night at the pub. With the New South Wales team already inside, the Queensland side—led by Mal Meninga, Trevor Gillmeister, and Alfie Langer—arrived looking to join the fun. When Tate tried to politely decline them entry to avoid friction, Meninga and Gillmeister picked up the diminutive Alfie Langer and used him as a "horizontal battering ram" to beat against the door while chanting "Let us in!"
The Eating Machines: Lomu and the 500g Steaks
The episode dives into the legendary appetites of visiting teams. Tate crowns Jonah Lomu as the ultimate "eating machine." After a massive team lunch, Lomu visited the pub and polished off three meat pies, three dozen oysters, and two kilos of Monte Carlo biscuits in a single sitting. Another standout was English rugby star Phil Vickery, who once demolished three 500g steaks, eating them like sandwiches between bread rolls.
The "Safe Zone" and the Death of Privacy
Tate reflects on why the Cloey was so popular: he enforced a strict rule that "celebrities" were never to be pestered by the rank-and-file punters. He laments the rise of social media, noting that a private moment can now be broadcast to the world before a player even leaves the building. He contrasts today’s "petrified" players with the 90s era, where stars like Laurie Daley and Ricky Stuart could relax safely away from the spotlight.
A New Mission: Junior League and the Space Crisis
Now the Chairman of Eastern Suburbs Junior Rugby League, Tate is passionate about shifting the focus from "avenues to riches" back to participation and mateship. He discusses the "impossible" challenge of finding green space in Sydney’s East, with land values and the rise of the AFL and women’s sport creating a massive field shortage. His "million-to-one" plan includes advocating for illuminated fields and even exploring the use of car park rooftops for sport.
Family Legacy and the Roosters Summer Camp
Tate also touches on his own sporting pedigree as part of the famous Tate family, whose father, Murray Tate, has a hill named after him at Woollahra Oval. Despite his Rugby Union roots, Bob crossed over to League, once finding himself in a Roosters "summer camp" alongside legends like Arthur Beetson, Bob Fulton, and Russell Fairfax.
Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.
