How did you get to be supporting your team?

[golions]

I was just wondering how you guys came to be supporting your respective teams.

I used to live in North Queensland and when I was there Brisbane was the only city in Queensland with sides in National sporting leagues / competition.

Also in Queensland Rugby League was the MOST popular sport so I started supporting the Brisbane Broncos.

When I came to Tasmania, AFL was the MOST popular sport so I thought I might as well support Brisbane in the AFL.

BTW. I support Brisbane in the Soccer and Queensland in the Cricket as well as Townsville in the Basketball.

How about you guys?

 

[Royal Blue And White]

I like this thread, Good Idea.
As I was only born in '78 I cant remember too much but I was brought up as a South Supporter and then a Sydney supporter but found that I hated Sydney too much and it was just a natural progression to becoming a North fan from about the age of 10-12. I used to wear a Sydney Jumper to Vickick on Sat mornings at school and got so badly slagged that I had to find another team as in theory i agreed with the abuse I was getting.
South and North were similar, I like the stuggling for survival thing. I dont jump on bandwagons. In the end my Dad converted to North as well and now he is a BigFooty fan than me. I went to England last year, went to a couple of Man U games at Old Trafford and now dont take as much interest in AFL as I used to (still a lot though, before I was mad keen). Soccer live with a big crowd is really cool.

 

[Dave]

My dad took me to the footy with him when I was a kid, and given he barracked for Essendon I naturally followed them as well. He started following them after seeing John Coleman in the only game his dad (who as far as I know didn't follow anyone) ever took him to as a kid.

 

[sandie]

I think this topic has come up before, or maybe on another sirte. Anyway my reason is that I lived in Ringwood which was zoned to the Bombers, so when I was a kid I went to school, socialised and was neighbours with a lot of the players that ended up playing in the 80's side.
My family barracked for Fitzroy, but I didn't like their jumper, I was only 8 when I started supporting the mighty Bombers.

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Mantis

 

[Shinboners]

I lived the first half dozen or so years of my life in North Melbourne, so it made sense to me that I should support the Arden Street boys.

 

[Grendel]

Good topic, golions.

My mums a Scot and my dad was from WA. When they first got married they wanted to see a bit of Australia before they setteled down and so, they did the 'round the country jaunt.

Now in 61 they arrived in Melbourne in time to see that years GF. My old man somehow conned a couple of tickets from mates down at Geelong to the big game. Now mum had never seen an Aussie rules game but for some reason she says that (and ive no idea why) she fell for Ian 'Liberty' Law, and was an instant Hawks fan from then on. Now since I didnt arrive until 65, and she hadnt been to a game since I didnt really have anyone 'push' me to support the Hawks like some familys do. Dad was a cat with all the expat West Aussies but he was more into the harness racing than anything, so he didnt really push either.

Now the confession, when i was small (or so im told) i switched alleigances to whoever won that years GF. So when i was THREE i was a tige (my secret shame revealed) at four and five a blue (from the worst team to the second worst, at least i was making some progress). Then came the epihany.


SEVENTY ONE. The Hawks vs Saints. It looked dark. Hawthorn had gone in as favourites but hadnt counted on 'Cowboy' Neale knocking Peter Hudson nearly all the way back to Tassie. 3/4 time and the Saints were up by twenty points. There it was, i was fated for St.Kilda and a life of heartache. Then like a knight (though he missed through injury) a saviour came forward and proceeded to conjure a last quarter burst that produced four match turning goals and let me have the joy of becoming a Hawk supporter.

The next year everyone asked if (after they won in 72) i was now a Blue again. But of course by this time i was seven years old, and clearly mature enough to realise how the Hawks were the only team truly worth my devotion.

And ive stuck with them ever since.

 

[RICE80SF]

Dad lived a drop punt away from Windy Hill so of course he followed them. Mum was a bomber too she lived in Moonee Ponds, so it's in the genes, red and black blood, it was a given for me.

I've got a mixed marriage though (yeah it should be outlawed) she has big family connections to another side. I've got three kids, brain washed the first one on how good Hirdy is, thank Christ he's acctually seen him play this year. Lost the second one to the Dark side (damn), just when I thought I had him too, with his "Matty Lloyd" crys as he took marks in the backyard. Have to work on the third one now.

Cheers.


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BOMBER BLITZ IN 2000!

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

Great topic

Growing up in Rugby-mad New Zealand in the 70's didn't expose me to alot of Aussie Rules football. In those days when you played Schoolboy rugby the lads were often shown a movie of other great matches from other football codes around the world. normally we were shown the Superbowl (everything was in slow motion and the commentary was completely incomprehensible)

However one year we were shown the full movie length 35mm print of the famous 1970 Grand Final. It completely captured my imagination and I have obssessed and fascinated with the Aussie Game ever since.

Then in 1980 the VFL Grand Final was screened live on NZ television for the first time. I watched it and so did all my schoolmates and that year Richmond thrashed Collingwood (Bartlett 7 sensational goals). Me and all my mates became instant Richmond fans because they shared the yellow and black colours with the Wellington provincial rugby team who were, and still are, a powerhouse of New Zealnd Rugby.

Shortly after that I won a scholarship to study at Flinders University in Adelaide and dutifully started on my journey in 1981 to take up residence in Adelaide, on the way I landed in Melbourne and the first thing I did was go and check out some LIVE Aussie Rules.

No I didn't go to the MCG and watch the Tigers, for some reason I found myself on a Tram heading down to the Lake Oval and was confronted with my very first live game of Aussie Rules. It was South Melbourne vs North Melbourne and I was so captivated by guys like Round, Stewart and Rantall all running around in the Red and White that I have been hooked ever since.

i have stuck with the Swans through thick and thin ever since. In 1982 when they moved to Sydney and started being shown live on TV every Sunday afternoon, it just confirmed my earlier affections for these guys. And when I finally moved from Adelaide to Sydney in 1994 my dream of being able to watch my beloved Swans live every week finally came to fruition.

I've been as happy as a pig in mud ever since.

All my old school mates from Kiwiland are still BIG Richmond fans though.

 

[CJ]

The simple reason is my father is a Pies supporter and I quess it just rubbed off onto me!!

 

[servo]

Being in Salisbury, Adelaide I followed Central Districts but my Mum barracked for North Melbourne all her life and when Malcolm Blight went to the Roos I sort of followed them.

My dad didn't support anyone really but hated Richmond and loved Alex Jesalenko.

In the late 70's early 80's when the mass exodus of SA stars to Melbourne happened I was very confused. I followed Hawthorn cos of John Platten, Roos cos of Peter Jonas and Carlton cos of all the other Sth Aussies they had. (and still have)

Eventually I found I was barracking for Carlton every week and thats the way it went. Then the Crows came along and I didn't believe in barracking for a team just because they are from your area, especially if you already barrack for another team in the same comp.

So the first few weeks of 1991 I was baracking for Carlton with an interest in the local team as well. Then they played each other and I went to the game. (my very 1st AFL/VFL game)

From the first bounce all I could see were Crows players. First tap Mickan taps to McGuiness he takes off and passes to Marshall on the wing and he foung John Klug and I was hooked. I can't even remember who played for Carlton that day.

I now don't even have a soft spot for Carlton and realise that my 'support' for them was just a convenience thing. Everyone hated Hawthorn cos they were too successfull at the time and Carlton were the next best thing. What a wally I was.

Now I have seen the light.

 

[dockerbabe]

welll my parents supported wc when they entered the comp and in 92 i started supporting wc then when we moved to perth was when freo was established we decided that we wanted to go for the new team in town well my dad decided

 

[James2]

Lived across the road from Windy Hill. Went to the footy every week and watched from my seat below the Ch.7 box.

 

[rewind]

I live in Adelaide. Every Saturday from when I was about 4 I went to see West Adelaide play at Richmond. Seen they are Red and Black, any time I saw the bombers on TV I would hope they won, we only started getting games on TV here when I was about 10, 1986. From here I went for Essendon, when the crows came into the AFL, the SANFL went down hill quickly, so I stopped following Westies closely and full on for Essendon. That is the reason I HATE the corws, they wrecked our local league.

Can't wait until the game Saturday, I love going to the MCG, all you Melbournians take it for granted as you live there, this is my 4th time there.

Last year was bad for me but good for bombers. We won 18 and lost 4. I went to 1 win (Ess V Crows FP) and 2 losses (PA at FP) and St Kilda MCG. How bad is that, 50% of the losses and 5% of the wins. This year I've been OS and only saw the Ansett Cup Grand Final, so lets hope I can bat 2 for 2 this year. Sorry for boring you all.

SEE THE BOMBERS FLY IN 2000

 

[snags]

I was born and bred in Footscray, and in our house like many we know you grew up with the three religions of the Scraggers, the labor party and Catholicism and only the order has changed with time.
I have been to every ground in the league since 1965 and stood in the same spots every year untill they all disapeared.

 

[Joel]

Its in the blood! Its pretty hard tp find a non Magpie supporter among my rels.

 

[Dan26]

I'm the oldest of 3 children.

My younger brother is 22, and my younger sister is 19.

When I was 5 or 6 (1981-82), I started barracking for the Bombers. My dad was a rugby man, and my mum hates footy, so it wasn't through any of them.

I started barracking for them, because I liked the colours. I also liked the name "Bombers". I though it was cool. I didn't just jump on the 1984-85 bandwagon. I was already hooked before 1984-85.

And being the good elder brother, I converted my younger bro and sis to the Bombers also.

I've been totally hooked by the Bombers ever since.

 

[bomber0018]

.

 

[Stealth bomber]

Though I'm primarily a yank, my second home is Keilor East where my fiancee and her rabid red and black supporting family hail from, so I was sort of assimilated into the clan

I've spent a great deal of time down there and have become a Bombers enthusiast on my own just out of seeing quite a few matches in person the last couple of years.

 

[GoEagles]

I've always been an eagles supporter - since It was the only club in the town at the time (first went to a game in 1990) and I sure as heck wasn't going to support a Victorian Club!

My Grandfather was a former president of West Perth (in the old WAFL, now Westar League) so I've always been a small fan of Melbourne - since they shared the same 'Grand Old Flag' theme song and also Claremont (since thats the next suburb to me) which has the same colours/theme as Richmond.

Unlike dockerbabe I didnt just 'decided to go for the new team in town' because that hardly shows much loyalty to a club does it.

 

[Haggis McHaggis]

Born here and traveled around the country from posting to posting when my old man was in the army.. when he finally got out settled down in brisbane and I was the black sheep of the family because they're all from central qld... huge league freaks and I could never stand the game... played for the school team in year 6 when our ex pat vic teacher arranged for us to play a match at the gabba and watch a few 2's matches.. I was hooked straight away

 

[Arch]

another mooney ponds family bought lil arch into the world in the late 70's.
They started following the dons in the early to mid 70's when apparently essendon was a bit of an also-ran.

man im glad they did.

 

[Roylion]

My grandfather supported Fitzroy, my father supported Fitzroy, I supported Fitzroy, my three kids barracked for Fitzroy. I've been brought up with the colours, the Lions emblem, the song, the history and the tradition of Fitzroy all my life. I could never support any other side against the maroon, blue and gold. I support any side/club that sports the Fitzroy colours and the Lion emblem.

As I want to follow the AFL, hence it has to be the Brisbane Lions. I also attend Coburg-Fitzroy matches and Fitzroy Reds matches on the odd occasion. It's fantastic to still see the colours running around and the history and tradition of the Roys still acknowledged at various levels.

 

[Getaway]

We are a hodge podge family. I was born in Queensland, the kids in Vic.
I barracked for Geelong. Hubby Carlton.
1st son was born the same month the Bears were formed. When he was 2, he decided he wanted to be a bear please.He is now a Lions through and through.
Youngest son is a Docker.
I am now a Lion. The club over the years has been so good to my son, as have the players.He has been the mascot at Whitten Oval.

 

[mtffafl]

Brainwashing from an early age did the trick to make me Collingwood.

My extended family 'owns' (i.e. reserves every year) an entire MCG row for Collingwood home games.

Matt

 

[Razza]

Dad was in the Dutch Air Force (yep they have one) and I was 8 when we came to Australia. When deciding which team to follow (dad said the soccer was boring here) the BOMBERS were the one because of the Air force connection. Now my kids have NO choice (if they want food and clothing that is)