Adams steered the Magpies to four successive premiership in the then Group 18/3 competition between 1963 and 1966. The competition was known as Group 18 until 1966 when boundary change saw Camden Haven, Wauchope and Port Macquarie join to form Group Three.

Adams was born in Maitland in 1934 and went onto play 191 games for Maitland as a winger. While still at Maitland he represented Newcastle, NSW and Australia, touring England and France with the 1956 Kangaroos.

Adams signed with Gloucester after a successful stint as a captain-coach of Scone. Already a strong club, Adams turned the Magpies into a powerhouse. He was made a life member of the Magpies.

Kevin Everett, a member of the Group Three Hall of Fame, played in the four premiership winning teams captain-coached by Adams.

"I was five-eighth for nine years before Bandy got here, but I moved to inside centre to he could be closer to the forwards,'' Kevin said.

"And in all the time he was here he never sold me a dump. If the pass wasn't on he go himself or turn the ball the other way.''

He said Adams installed great team harmony and good will in the side and this led to their success. While the Magpies were formidable before Adams arrived, Kevin said he helped introduce a younger generation of younger players into first grade.

"We'd lost a few players but under Bandy young blokes like Ivan Murray, Buff Martin and the Wisemantle boys came through,'' he said.

"I was fortunate to be coached by Keith Tull, Max Bailey and Toby Wilson before Bandy came here. I learnt a lot from all of them.''