Toast Celebrating 150 years!

[Aphrodite]

I will be there!


1864 - 2014

 

[Aphrodite]

 

[Claypigeon]

Hey thylacine60 which was better, the 25, 50 or 100 year celebrations? Want to know if they are improving

 

[thylacine60]

Recall the 1899, 25 year celebrations were a little subdued due to the colony being in the middle of a depression. Me and Harks kept it low profile with a few bevvies at Y & J's.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

I'll see you there Aphrodite
I'm so excited for the 150th year. I just wish they'd hurry up and release the merchandise so I can spend all my monies.

 

[mediumsizered]

Recall the 1899, 25 year celebrations were a little subdued due to the colony being in the middle of a depression. Me and Harks kept it low profile with a few bevvies at Y & J's.

I hate to rain on your parade, but that would have been the 35 year celebrations.

 

[thylacine60]

Correct, long time ago.

 

[Dramoth]

MSR... you have to forgive Thy these little slips... he is getting on in age a fair bit I think

 

[Dramoth]

Also... it depends on whether I am back in Australia in June this year as to whether I make it or not...

 

[The_Wookie]

From: http://www.bigfootynews.com/2014/01/8059/


150 Years of the Navy Blues


The Carlton Football Club. It's the equal most successful club in the Australian Football League. It's been home to some of the biggest names in Australian football - Jesaulenko, Kernahan, and Silvagni amongst others. It forms one of the so-called Big 4 Victorian clubs, with whom it shares some of Australian footballs biggest rivalries - Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond.

On May 17th, 1861 a notice in the Melbourne Argus classifieds requested interested persons attend a meeting in order to "take steps for the formation of a football club". The meeting must have had some success as four days later, on May 21st, The Argus carried an advertisement for another meeting 'for the purpose of drawing up rules and enrollment of members'. (The excellent Blueseum website has much much more information on this period)

​

Notwithstanding the above, the Carlton Football Club was officially formed in July 1864. The exact date has unfortunately been lost to history. At the time of its official formation, it is believed to have been the 7th known Australian football club to have been formed. The club would play games out of Royal Park until 1878 and originally wore navy blue with white shoulders - the all navy blue with monogram has been relatively unchanged since 1909 (although the monogram itself has changed)

On May 17, 1877, the club became a founding member of the Victorian Football Association, along with Hotham (later North Melbourne), Albert Park (merged with South Melbourne and now Sydney), Melbourne, St Kilda, Geelong, Ballarat (now playing in the BFL) and Barwon (later merged with Belmont to form South Barwon and playing in the GFL). The club would go on to win premierships in the leagues inaugural year of 1877, and later in 1882. Carlton would be runner up 4 times from 1879, and three years straight from 1889-1891.

Having been based at Royal Park since its inception, in 1878 the Blues moved to Princes Park, but while in the same area, the Blues wouldnt move to their current location until 1896. You can find considerable detail on the ovals history here.

In 1888, Carlton would play England in a game of Australian rules - The scores at the end of the match were Carlton 14.17 d England 3.8. Which isn't too bad considering Carlton led at half time 7.7 to 0.1. There is more detail on this game here.

In 1897, the Blues would take part in the split from the Association and form the Victorian Football League along with seven other clubs. This would later be known as the AFL in 1990.


Along the way, the Blues have won 16 VFL/AFL premierships - level with Essendon and more than any other club. They've also been runner-up on thirteen occasions. They were the first club to win a "hat-trick" from 1906-1908. They last won the flag in 1995 with a fairly decent thrashing of Geelong.

Five Blues have gone on to win the Brownlow medal. Bert Deacon (1947), John James (1961), Gordon Collis (1964), Greg Williams (1994), and Chris Judd (2010). Two players have won the Coleman medal - Tom Carroll (51 goals, 1961), Brendan Fevola (84 goals, 2006), (86 goals, 2009). Stephen Kernahan holds the record as the games longest serving team captain - serving for ten years and 226 matches.

Six Carlton players were named in the AFL/VFL Team of the Century. Stephen Silvagni (Full back), John Nicholls (back pocket), Bruce Doull (half back flank), Alex Jesaulenko (half forward flank), Ron Barassi (Ruck/Rover) and Greg Williams (interchange).

There are three Carlton legends in the AFL Hall of Fame - Alex Jesualenko, John Nicholls, and Ron Barassi. In addition there are another fifteen Carlton players, and a coach (Parkin) in the Hall of Fame. There are four Carlton players in the SANFL Hall of Fame, and a further two players in each of the West Australian and Tasmanian Halls of Fame.



Carlton has featured in some of the greatest grand finals in public memory, the 1970s in particular. The 1970 Grand Final against Collingwood is quite possibly the greatest Grand Final of all time for sheer size (the largest crowd ever for a match at 121,000) and drama, and its public awareness.The 1972 Grand Final against Richmond saw the Tigers kick a record score in a grand final, only to see the Blues kick what is still the record score in a Grand Final to win the flag. The 1973 rematch saw Richmond arguably resort to thuggery to win the game when both Alex Jesaulenko and Vin Waite were targeted early on.

The 1979 Grand Final featured the famous dive by Wayne Harmes to knock a ball going out of bounds to the goal square that resulted in a Carlton goal. The 1982 Grand Final against Richmond saw the appearance of young Helen d'Amico - who Tigers fans still blame for losing the game, and sending them into a football wilderness for 30 years.

There's been other recent memorable games, but perhaps none more so than victories over the old enemies.

The 1999 Preliminary Final against Essendon is a big standout for the Blues fan, defeating a highly fancied Bomber outfit to make an improbable Grand Final (which they lost but hardly any Blues supporter cared). In the 2011 qualifying final, a rampant Blues demolished an insipid Essendon to nearly win by more than ten goals. In 2013, the club was the beneficiary of Essendon's demotion from the finals (an outcome of the AFL investigation into the club). Carlton would go on to beat Richmond in a massive game.

There's been standout performances over the years. Carlton fans remember the exploits of Jesaulenko and arguably one of the best marks of all time 'ohhhh Jesaulenko you beauty!'. Stephen Silvagni was another who took what was billed as the mark of the decade. Matthew Lappin taking mark oif the year in the frst quarter of the first match of the season. Brendon Fevola kicking 11 goals in the Millenium match against the Pies.

In the centre, there was Greg Williams getting 40 possession in the centre regularly despite being slow. The scintillating runs of Craig Bradley, frequently ended with torpedo from 50 metres. The famous Mosquito fleet thrilled fans throughout the 1970s. Wayne Johnston and David Rhys-Jones did the same in the 80's. And of course, Fraser Brown, the man who saved the 1999 Prelim by chasing down Dean Wallis.

The Blues benefited from the rugged defence of men like Southby - backpocket in the Blues team of the century, but arguably as good if not better than Silvagni. Bruce Doull - half back in the AFL team of the century. Peter Dean, and Andrew McKay who stood tall in great teams. Anthony Koutoufides too dominated in defence, as he did everywhere else, playing the game of his life in the 1999 Prelim.. Bruce Doull - half back in the AFL team of the century. Peter Dean, and Andrew McKay who stood tall in great teams. Anthony Koutoufides too dominated in defence, as he did everywhere else, playing the game of his life in the 1999 Prelim.

The Blues have had great forwards - in Jesaulenko who kicked 115 goals in 1970 and remains the only Carlton forward to kick 100 goals in a season. Harry Vallance who lead the goalkicking 9 times in ten years during the 20s and 30s. Stephen Kernahan, who lead the goalkicking eleven years straight - as well as being captain for ten years. Brendon Fevola, often misguided and sometimes misunderstood, but he could certainly kick a footy.

They've had great ruckmen in Nicholls, Fitzpatrick, and Madden. Nicholls being named in the AFL team of the century. Fitzpatrick who controversially had a free kick paid against him for time wasting in 1981 and is now the AFL Chairman. Justin Madden, who will forever be remembered for a run through the middle of the MCG against Adelaide unhindered by any, was the Victorian minister for sport for a number of years.

There isnt the time or the space to write of all the champions of the past and there isnt the time to write of all the fantastic events that have come about all these years, and yet these gentlemen and these incidents are all part of the fabric of a great old club.

Along with being the most successful, comes the occasional controversy. In 2002, Carlton were heavily penalised for breaching the salary cap, losing draft picks and incurring a massive fine. This along with the controversial decision to build a new grand stand at Princes Park, almost sent the club broke in the early 2000's. Combined with its first ever wooden spoons (it would go on to 'win" three), lowered memberships and crowds, and the club had reached rock bottom.

Amongst all this, in 2005 the club finally stopped playing AFL games at Princes Park after almost 110 years to go to Docklands stadium. The league still uses it for preseason games, and the VFL (state league competition) Northern Blues still use it competitively.

In recent times, the Blues have played finals since 2009, although they missed 2012, at least partly through injury. 2009 and 2010, they were unceremoniously bundled out in the first week. In 2011, they smashed the Bombers before being eliminated in week 2. In 2013, after being promoted into Essendons place in the finals, they went on to defeat Richmond, before being eliminated in week 2.

This year, the Blues will celebrate their 150th anniversary. Who knows what the next 150 years will bring.

 

[Aphrodite]

Brilliant work The_Wookie

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

Recall the 1899, 25 year celebrations were a little subdued due to the colony being in the middle of a depression. Me and Harks kept it low profile with a few bevvies at Y & J's.

All whilst dancing to Prince's classic 1899!!

 

[Silvagnis]

carlton_fc

3 hours ago · Visy Park 150 years of history are on display at Visy Park. #NAVYBLUES

 

[Navy Cream]

I'm loving the sentiment involved with our great clubs 150th year. I am proud to support such a traditional institution such as the Carlton Navy Blues. It would be truly sensational IF we were able to be premiers on top of what will already be a grand year.
Please keep sending through trivial insights as to what Carlton has done and any nostalgic tidbits which helped shape our past 150 years.

On field- Go Blues............make us proud.

 

[Dramoth]

I agree with everything in that post except for this line... the second sentence.

We are not the equal most successful club in the AFL... are the most successful club in the VFL/AFL era due to Essendon* infringing the salary cap during their 1993 premiership season. All things being right and fair. Essendon* should be stripped of that cup and it should be awarded to the team and finished the minor premiership in second place. Because if Essendon* hadnt been cheating, they would have won it. Therefore, in my opinion, the 1993 premiership cup should be awarded to... OMG I dont believe it... it's Carlton...

The Carlton Football Club. It's the equal most successful club in the Australian Football League.

And they have actually only won 14 of their premierships with the other 2 cups being awarded to them for winning the minor premiership.

That being said... it is a fantastic read

 

[Aphrodite]

 

[BLUEALLTHRU]

What a quality thread and will re-read each day for more

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

The 1980's......big CFC's on jumpers and tiny shorts! Real football!!

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

They should bring back tiny shorts in tribute

 

[King of Ruin]

You would never say that if Eddie was still with us.

 

[Jabba73]

Best. Club. Ever.

 

[BluesMan]

A favourite quote of mine from the "Out of the Blue" Carlton book...

"Out of the Blue captures the essence of the Carlton Football Club. Underlying the stories of the dark Nav Blues, the great deeds, the brave men, the committed supporters and the political upheavals, is that indefinable concept of what it means to be 'Carlton'. It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great."
- Mike Fitzpatrick

Hits deep.

 

[Franc de Borges]

My love letter to the Blues

http://t.co/ZHs6KfFkpD

• AFL

The Only Team Old Carlton Knows: Celebrating 150

Years

By Franc de Borges | January 15, 2014 0 Comments

When I first visited Princes Park at the age of four, perched on Coke cans with head bobbing curiously to view the action, I knew nothing of what impact the team wearing navy blue would eventually have on my life. I knew only that we supported Carlton.

There was no choice in the matter, no decision making process or weighing of the pros and cons. Most of the surrounding throng seemed to agree, with only a spatter of Fitzroy colours to highlight that an alternative existed. I had been to see a match the previous season, but this was my first taste of the place that was to become as familiar as the living room.

I knew nothing of Carlton’s history of success or failure, nothing to determine whether this life-long inheritance was a sound one. I’d have been just as enthralled and bemused, I’m sure, had I been sporting a Lions scarf that day, and I’d have also been a devastated teenager when the league sent them north to Brisbane. My first hero was Paul Meldrum, but when Stephen Kernahan hoisted the 1987 premiership cup my fate was sealed.

By age six I was a fully-fledged obsessive, never without a football in hand and wearing out videos of The Footy Replay, at times the entire commentary seeping into my subconscious and peculiar facts regarding Carlton lore as customary to me as the Six Times Tables.

What was Bruce Doull’s original number and why did he change it? For how many years did Craig Bradley wear the exact same jumper? At which game did the “woof” for Ang Christou begin? Every incongruous question had an answer and I was at the ready to provide it quicker than the Princes Park scoreboard.

Similar tales are not uncommon, and despite the jibes about Richmond supporters having kids being tantamount to child cruelty, very few rue their lot.

This season marks the 150th since the formation of the Carlton Football Club, the most successful club in the history of the VFL/AFL (with 16 Grand Final wins) and one that – with a total of 23 premierships – have been champions more times than any other Victorian club. The dispute over the validity of the success of clubs from other states either prior to or since the AFL-rebadged itself in 1990 is one for another time, and in any event doesn’t detract from Carlton’s remarkable record.

Carlton are the third such AFL club to reach this milestone (behind Melbourne and Geelong) and are thus the oldest suburban team in the country, and amongst the oldest football clubs in the world. Where Carlton differs from all others is that since their formation in 1864 they have played 149 consecutive seasons without interruption (Collingwood, formed in 1892, are the only other club to have completed every league season since 1897).

While the modern history of the club is less glorious, the Blues have saluted every 6.7 years on average since that first season in 1864, and it is with this in mind that 2014 holds a very special place for all whose heart beats blue. The term is bandied about too often, but it cannot be disputed that Carlton is a truly great football club.

The key to Carlton’s outstanding success has been consistency. While Collingwood led the league premiership table for more than half a century, 11 of their 15 flags were won by 1936. Carlton, on the other hand, won eight in each half of the 20th century, finally claiming sole bragging rights in 1982, a position they have held either alone or with Essendon ever since. Equally, none of the traditional league clubs can claim supremacy over the Mighty Blues, with Carlton holding a positive win/loss record against all of them.

The highlights have been many. From becoming the first club to win a treble of successive league flags to the “Bloodbath” glory of 1945 and overcoming the biggest deficit in finals history in 1970, on and on the successes came for what was the richest and most powerful club in the new world of the John Elliott-led 1980’s, yet even then there were greater heights to scale. In 1995 Carlton set a new standard and the team came to be known as the record-breakers, sailing through the home and away rounds with an unprecedented 20 wins before cruising to an authoritative premiership victory.

In the first 100 years of league football Carlton had won more premierships than any other, beaten all of their competitors head to head and had never finished last. That is an incredible record.

When the Blues shocked everyone – including themselves – with a one point win over Essendon in the 1999 Preliminary Final, no one could have predicted that the team and club would hit rock bottom just three years later.

The club failed to net that 17th flag, so anyone under the age of 20 grew up with a rare beast: a mediocre Carlton. The 2000-2009 decade was the first since the fifties, and only the third in league history, not to feature a Carlton premiership. While finals wins in recent years are beginning to turn the tide, it has skewed the perception of Carlton as one of the league heavyweights amongst the new generation.

The Blues may have been the worst team in the competition, stripped of draft picks and pilloried as the laughing stock of the game, yet one fact will in time prove salient: they were only out of the finals for seven years. A lesser club wouldn’t be here at all.

It is in times of despair that faith is tested, yet even those dark years brought highlights. Despite the mounting wooden spoons and losing the beloved Princes Park as a league venue, there was still Fevola or Judd or an upset win over Collingwood to keep the fire burning. While in childhood I craved only success, adulthood and a change of fortunes conveyed a deeper understanding of what the club meant to me. Like caring for an ill loved one, my devotion was given a sharper focus when the chips were down.

Someone once said that to see Carlton is to be Carlton, and it rings true. All of the old clubs have their idiosyncrasies, but nothing matches the genuine belief that no matter the score we can still do it, just because we’re Carlton.

Big enough to be a major player yet not so large that every second person supports us, belonging to the Carlton Football Club is a special kind of gift. Unlike in English football, our supporters are separated, making group singing difficult. What other set of barrackers are arrogant enough to begin a rendition of the theme song before the game is even over? We do it at Carlton.

Mick Malthouse and Marc Murphy, fresh from the pulsating and unexpected finals win over Richmond that typified the Carlton spirit, have the honour of leading the Blues into this landmark season, and students of history will be well aware that prior to the breakthrough premiership of 1906 Carlton had endured 19 barren years. The distant ‘95 triumph marks the very same period of time.

Few things will bring a grown man to tears, but the love of a football club can be one of them. Despite the intervening years, the changing face of football and the depressing understanding of what can realistically be achieved in any given year, the excitedly nervous kid peering through the crowd to see The Blue Boys in action remains.

Here’s to the next 150.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Good stuff Franc de Borges! I love reading other people's love for the club.

 

[Silvagnis]

150th year cap?