Universal Love Down Memory Lane

[ESKIE]

Imagine Vin Waite dealing with an Issac Smith type!

Goneski

Behind play of course

 

[ESKIE]

Love it!!

In those days, I'd love half time grab four empty cans and stand on them so I could see

 

[Robbo's my hero]

We've had some famous #1 members. Perhaps the most famous was Sir Robert Menzies, Australia's longest serving Prime Minister. When he wasn't in London on official business, which usually happened during an Ashes Tour, he was an avid Blues supporter. He was treated like royalty. In his latter years he suffered a stroke which made him wheelchair bound. I have memories of him being carried down the stairs of the Social Club al la Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra. It's a movie guys and gals! Obviously the O,H & S issues were raised as we had strong Union Movement in those days. Another surprise for the younger ones in our group. People put their heads together and came up with a solution. There was a gap between the Social Club Stand and the Heatley. So they constructed a ramp for the chauffeur to perch the Bently on. Bob spent his last years watching Carlton games from this position and no doubt the drinks cabinet was within arms reach.

 

[ESKIE]

Robbo's my hero keep em coming wonderful stories, thanks

 

[Neese]

Loving this thread,thanks pals <3

 

[Blues177]

I remember those nerve racking last quarters listening to the game on the radio at home. The days when the Carlton game was on a station where the horse races always took priority. It was either 3UZ or 3DB or both. 29 minute mark of the last quarter listening to the commentator screaming that Jesaulenko picks up the ball at centre half forward with Carlton down by 2 points... only to suddenly then hear 'racing and they all started OK...'

 

[Robbo's my hero]

Before the Grand Prix, Albert Park Lake was famous for two VFL venues. At the South Melbourne end of the Lake stood the Lakeside Oval, opposite and closer to the seedier side of town was the Junction Oval. The Junction Oval was St Kilda's home until the mid sixties. Fitzroy, for many years the nomadic tribe of the competition until its eventual extinction in the 90s, used it as its home venue during the 70s and 80s. The Junction Oval was a perfect fit for the Roy Boys, rough around the edges just like its supporters. In 1971, the Blues were in the middle of a patch that saw us play in five GFs in six seasons for three flags. Those were the days! In 1971, we were struggling for a finals spot when we met Fitzroy at the Junction Oval. I remember it was a magnificent sunny day and for the first half I was using the Footy Record to shield my eyes from it. At half time, the game was close and I parked my backside on the terracing. And then the strangest thing happened. A haze appeared and the sunshine dimmed. After a little while I recognised it as a pea-souper. What the hell was going on. A fog blanketed the ground and visibility was reduced to nothing. For half a game, the match which continued, would appear and the disappear. You could hear the players voices and the crowd and hazard a guess as to whether we were in attack or not. The game was still in the balance at orange time. We needed to win to make the finals so it was noted that the Roys pulled a fast one at the break. The scoreboard was located at the City end of the ground directly behind the goals. What I didn't know before the fourth quarter were the lights at the top. Suddenly you could see the lights through the fog and Fitzroy was kicking to the scoreboard end. It was the equivalent of the windsock incident at Windy Hill! Not surprisingly the Blues went down and missed the finals. And people think climate change is a modern phenomenon.

 

[Robbo's my hero]

I remember those nerve racking last quarters listening to the game on the radio at home. The days when the Carlton game was on a station where the horse races always took priority. It was either 3UZ or 3DB or both. 29 minute mark of the last quarter listening to the commentator screaming that Jesaulenko picks up the ball at centre half forward with Carlton down by 2 points... only to suddenly then hear 'racing and they all started OK...'

The best one was the Captain and the Major on 3KZ. Jack Dyer and Ian Major were a double act like Martin and Lewis. The Major played the straight man to Jack's Dyerisms. What a magical man. You should google it to see if any of Jack's famous utterances survive. I remember one. Jack, describing a big mark, referred to "his arms reaching up like giant testicles!" In those days, the early seventies, the call of the GF would be released on vinyl. I can remember listening to the '72 GF again and again. I can't remember what happened to those albums but they would be great to listen to now!

 

[Blues177]

Before the Grand Prix, Albert Park Lake was famous for two VFL venues. At the South Melbourne end of the Lake stood the Lakeside Oval, opposite and closer to the seedier side of town was the Junction Oval. The Junction Oval was St Kilda's home until the mid sixties. Fitzroy, for many years the nomadic tribe of the competition until its eventual extinction in the 90s, used it as its home venue during the 70s and 80s. The Junction Oval was a perfect fit for the Roy Boys, rough around the edges just like its supporters. In 1971, the Blues were in the middle of a patch that saw us play in five GFs in six seasons for three flags. Those were the days! In 1971, we were struggling for a finals spot when we met Fitzroy at the Junction Oval. I remember it was a magnificent sunny day and for the first half I was using the Footy Record to shield my eyes from it. At half time, the game was close and I parked my backside on the terracing. And then the strangest thing happened. A haze appeared and the sunshine dimmed. After a little while I recognised it as a pea-souper. What the hell was going on. A fog blanketed the ground and visibility was reduced to nothing. For half a game, the match which continued, would appear and the disappear. You could hear the players voices and the crowd and hazard a guess as to whether we were in attack or not. The game was still in the balance at orange time. We needed to win to make the finals so it was noted that the Roys pulled a fast one at the break. The scoreboard was located at the City end of the ground directly behind the goals. What I didn't know before the fourth quarter were the lights at the top. Suddenly you could see the lights through the fog and Fitzroy was kicking to the scoreboard end. It was the equivalent of the windsock incident at Windy Hill! Not surprisingly the Blues went down and missed the finals. And people think climate change is a modern phenomenon.

Another great story from you Robbo !

We should have outsmarted Fitzroy; as the fog was so thick and the players & umpires could not see anything the Carlton boys should have stuck the footy up their jumper, walked up the ground and then kicked a goal.

 

[Blues177]

The best one was the Captain and the Major on 3KZ. Jack Dyer and Ian Major were a double act like Martin and Lewis. The Major played the straight man to Jack's Dyerisms. What a magical man. You should google it to see if any of Jack's famous utterances survive. I remember one. Jack, describing a big mark, referred to "his arms reaching up like giant testicles!" In those days, the early seventies, the call of the GF would be released on vinyl. I can remember listening to the '72 GF again and again. I can't remember what happened to those albums but they would be great to listen to now!

3KZ was also my favourite

You can listen to the 1970 grand final 2nd half coverage with Ian Major, Harry Beitzel and Ted Rippon on the Blueseum site-Menu/onfield/premierships/1970/link under heading multimedia.

 

[thylacine60]

3KZ is football!

 

[thylacine60]

Crikey, how's the resemblance?

 

[mediumsizered]

I remember those nerve racking last quarters listening to the game on the radio at home. The days when the Carlton game was on a station where the horse races always took priority. It was either 3UZ or 3DB or both. 29 minute mark of the last quarter listening to the commentator screaming that Jesaulenko picks up the ball at centre half forward with Carlton down by 2 points... only to suddenly then hear 'racing and they all started OK...'

This is exactly what happened on that day in 1976 when Blight kicked the match-winning goal at Princes Park. I can't remember if our game was on UZ or DB, but sure enough they went to a race with us less than a kick in front & when they returned to the game we're told there was a sensational finish & North had won with a kick after the siren. I used to so hate it when our games were on 3UZ or 3DB (Ian Cleland on 3UZ would have to have been one of the worst radio commentators I ever heard).

 

[thylacine60]

The best one was the Captain and the Major on 3KZ. Jack Dyer and Ian Major were a double act like Martin and Lewis. The Major played the straight man to Jack's Dyerisms. What a magical man. You should google it to see if any of Jack's famous utterances survive. I remember one. Jack, describing a big mark, referred to "his arms reaching up like giant testicles!" In those days, the early seventies, the call of the GF would be released on vinyl. I can remember listening to the '72 GF again and again. I can't remember what happened to those albums but they would be great to listen to now!

 

[Dramoth]

This is exactly what happened on that day in 1976 when Blight kicked the match-winning goal at Princes Park. I can't remember if our game was on UZ or DB, but sure enough they went to a race with us less than a kick in front & when they returned to the game we're told there was a sensational finish & North had won with a kick after the siren. I used to so hate it when our games were on 3UZ or 3DB (Ian Cleland on 3UZ would have to have been one of the worst radio commentators I ever heard).

Ian Cleland used to make me want to slit my wrists when I listened to him... and I was only 12 in 76... shocking caller.

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

My Dad had that album, pretty sure Mark Maclure drops the F word in an interview after the match when talking about his on field relationship with Billy Picken!!

 

[Robbo's my hero]

At the other end of the Lake was the Lakeside Oval. All that remains is the Grandstand at the members end of the ground. It features prominently in the Grand Prix each year. The Lakeside Oval could be floodlit and, as a result, hosted the original night footy for many years. My recollections go back to the mid-sixties and attending these matches at the end of the home and away season. The eight teams which missed out on the finals played a knockout competition under lights. It witnessed many strange results and it was rumoured that betting played a large part in who won the Flag. Nothing too sinister as it was the original pyjama footy. The money won went to a good cause, the end of season trip. When you didn't want to brave the cold, games were broadcast on the radio. I remember that the Record was a paper thin production but it still allowed me to mark the goals and behinds. I also remember the footy. I guess there was no modern techniques involved. The old Tommy Sherrin was given a couple of coats of white gloss paint. When the boys launched a massive torpedo it was like a shooting star flashing across the sky. My recollection is that Carlton was largely unsuccessful in these games but I'm sure the end of season trips were great!

 

[mediumsizered]

At the other end of the Lake was the Lakeside Oval. All that remains is the Grandstand at the members end of the ground. It features prominently in the Grand Prix each year. The Lakeside Oval could be floodlit and, as a result, hosted the original night footy for many years. My recollections go back to the mid-sixties and attending these matches at the end of the home and away season. The eight teams which missed out on the finals played a knockout competition under lights. It witnessed many strange results and it was rumoured that betting played a large part in who won the Flag. Nothing too sinister as it was the original pyjama footy. The money won went to a good cause, the end of season trip. When you didn't want to brave the cold, games were broadcast on the radio. I remember that the Record was a paper thin production but it still allowed me to mark the goals and behinds. I also remember the footy. I guess there was no modern techniques involved. The old Tommy Sherrin was given a couple of coats of white gloss paint. When the boys launched a massive torpedo it was like a shooting star flashing across the sky. My recollection is that Carlton was largely unsuccessful in these games but I'm sure the end of season trips were great!

I remember listening to the last season of the night comp on the radio in 1971, which we unfortunately participated in due to our failure to make the finals. It was mostly our reserves team running around & the level of interest for the club was non-existent.

I've heard some past players talking about the inconsistency in the lighting, meaning some parts of the ground were quite dark.

 

[thylacine60]

I've heard some past players talking about the inconsistency in the lighting, meaning some parts of the ground were quite dark.

Yep. Teddy Whitten would regularly chase a player into the dark pocket of death and emerge into the light.........alone.

 

[mediumsizered]

Yep. Teddy Whitten would regularly chase a player into the dark pocket of death and emerge into the light.........alone.

I can believe that. The night competition would have been his favourite part of the season.

 

[Dramoth]

Yep. Teddy Whitten would regularly chase a player into the dark pocket of death and emerge into the light.........alone.

Unless of course, he was chasing Big Nick...

 

[Robbo's my hero]

I think the thread should be renamed 'Down Memory Cul-De-Sac'. The controversy of Blueseumgate has caused TL15 to lose interest in the postings. So many stories....

 

[Robbo's my hero]

As I offer commentary only I'm not likely to effect Blueseum.
Pre-match entertainment was rare and inexpensive in the days before the Bluebirds. A trip to the Western Oval would see the Hyde Street Band walking the boundary with a group of volunteers bringing up the rear holding a blanket to catch the coins thrown in appreciation of its efforts. As the band walked past it alternated between 'Sons of the Scray' and 'We are the Navy Blues' to encourage the crowd to make donations. While I always saw the skill in landing the coin in the blanket it was clear that others had a different motive as volunteers ducked for cover. I also remember a unique brass brand playing at Carlton. Military bands were not out of the ordinary but this troop had style. The Bersaglieri is a regimental company in the Italian Army. This group of Light Infantry wore slouch hats adorned with black feathers and marched in a flamboyant style. I would call it a fast trot. So imagine. A group of guys dressed in full uniform, trotting in intricate manoeuvres playing musical instruments. I suggest you google it and get an idea of what it was like at Carlton all those years ago.

 

[Dramoth]

While I was home last month... my mum pulled out one of her prized possessions.

Way back when, she was book hunting in Melbourne and brought a second hand book she liked. When she got home and was reading it, she found amongst the pages a letter written by one Ronald Dale Barassi to a Melbourne supporter... from when he was playing for them.

I am trying to convince my mum to send it on loan to Melbourne as part of their heritage.

I think that it was written sometime back in the 60's

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

I think the thread should be renamed 'Down Memory Cul-De-Sac'. The controversy of Blueseumgate has caused TL15 to lose interest in the postings. So many stories....

As Randall P McMurphy said, not giving up, just warming up!!

I travel interstate twice a week for work so the weekend is my normal gateway, look for a big weekend from me....