The Canberra Raiders were in the unfortunate spot of being NSW Rugby League champions but on the verge of being "torn apart" due to financial stresses on this day in 1991.
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The back-to-back champs were facing financial strains and a potential tightening of the salary cap which, combined, were feared likely to cast the team to the winds.
On this day the front page carried details of a group of high-profile fans behind the creation of a "Save the Raiders" trust fund.
Remarkably, given the money in professional sport these days, the public were asked - and happily agreed - to kick in to help pay the players.
"Since the news of the club's financial situation has been made public there has been a lot of support from business and media in the Canberra area," Raiders coach Tim Sheens told a National Press Club luncheon.
High-profile backers, including Fred Daly, Bernie Fraser, PM Bob Hawke and even Balmain coach Alan Jones helped encourage donations of tens of thousands in the opening days.
By the following March the financial woes were in the past and the fund was wound up.
