View Full Version : Sectarianism at Fitzroy
FitzroyRamone
30 May 2003, 09:39
Does anybody have any knowledge of religous sectarianism at Fitzroy? I have heard other clubs used to have issues as far as religion is concerned, but I've never heard if Fitzroy had issues with the Church.
Mobbenfuhrer
30 May 2003, 10:15
What sort of issues?
FitzroyRamone
30 May 2003, 11:18
For example, did Fitzroy ever refuse to sign a player because he was a Catholic or Jew?
Mobbenfuhrer
30 May 2003, 12:09
Sheeze, I dunno.
I know Nunan sacked Pizzle 'cause he was a Slacker.
Maybe that's a religion?
FR, they actually did have some type in the 20's and 30's, I have some letters that atest to this written in the 30's.
They were sort of a moderate lot, but it nearly brought the club down at one stage, in the 20's, between the 'Progressives' and lets say the 'Moderates', but not really that serious that the Archbishop or the Pope attended.
It again came to head in the early 70's when at the Junction they had two after matches where in one corner we had the Catholic supporters (a few, 100) would elect a Pope after the game, quiet amusing then go to the StKilda Social Club and they would elect the BOG.
They really never did sort it out, but most times it was tongue in cheek, and all in good fun to raise money which never happpened.
Originally posted by FitzroyRamone
Does anybody have any knowledge of religous sectarianism at Fitzroy? I have heard other clubs used to have issues as far as religion is concerned, but I've never heard if Fitzroy had issues with the Church.
The waters are still cloudy today FR. For example, Eddie sometimes trys to push Collingwood as Catholic, Working class,
anti authoritarian and anti monarchy, just as he sees himself,but the Pies started out as "Britainia" and played under the flag of the Union Jack. Well done to Eddie though for trying to break the mould.
Timbo
Originally posted by timbo
Well done to Eddie though for trying to break the mould.
They're all mouldy down there.
Originally posted by Stocka
They're all mouldy down there.
Dont forget mildew.
I think what's great about Aussie Rules footy is that we don't have sectarianism in our sport.
Sure, population spreads may influence geographical areas from which different clubs draw significant support, but I can't recall there ever being a club that aligned itself with a certain religious demographic.
That said, I do recall reading somewhere a few years ago that the "mainly Catholic" North fans wanted Ron Barassi canonised after he coached us to our first flag in 1975. Once again, I don't think it's a conscious effort on anyone's part to align the club with Catholics - maybe the areas where North has decent support are also areas with significant Catholic populations.
Growing up, Melbourne was basically divided on sectarian lines. There was a St Patrick's Day parade with all the Catholic schools marching down Collins St. with Mannix presiding, and this created tensions in the inner suburbs and out in Balwyn and Surrey Hills. This manifested itself in the Melbourne / Pies divide - it represented the whole thing - politics, religion, class.. and the fact that Melbourne had massive success seemed to confirm the triumph of the WASPs ( something that Howard constantly tries to recreate ) over the 'disloyal' mob. I know kids who were terrified to say they supported Collingwood at home - it was considered that you were running with a dangerous crowd and your prospects were ruined - or Melbourne at school ( you were just bashed up ). That's why Barassi leaving was such a huge shock - it turned the 'natural order' on its head. It was inexplicable to thousands of crying children.
Every club were somehow represented by elements of this prevailing culture - Masons for the Bombers ( strictly no Catholics - too aspiring ), Catholics at Richmond and Collingwood, Protestants at Melbourne, Geelong etc etc and you had to know this stuff - it was the secret men's business of its day.
Fitzroy didn't appear to have a strong element of this but I'm sure there were 'issues' - I think we were just happy to get good players. The crowds were pretty good natured - but we did like beating our inner city rivals so geography seems to ahve been the big motivator. Interesting topic.