Victoria Park

[wmvaux]

I went to many games there from the 70's onwards. Loved getting the train to Victoria Park station and getting off and feeling the buzz. Seeing the players walk through the gates with their bags, getting a bag of jam donuts and watching the reserves play before the main game. I remember seeing Peter Daicos play his first game there and remember going to various training sessions and going down the race after training and seeing the players get changed and would wonder around the room looking at the various premiership pictures and get a feel for the history of the club. Loved going to the games there and go home and watch them on the replay when we won. As a kid I remember kicking the ball on the ground after the game and run off with players after a win. I used to check out the spare goal posts under the stands and walk in the main office and see the Jock McHale picture on the wall. All great memories I will always treasure.

 

[Ted38]

Memories, memories.

 

[fabulousphil]

Some good footage of Vic Park later on in this clip, particuarly with the wall down, you get a real clear view of the houses over the back on the Johnston St side of the ground.

 

[Seedsfan]

I have played there twice it is a great ground, I was shattered that I never got to get to an AFL game there. Hope the buy up the properties around there and redevelop it

 

[millsy29gopies]

I have played there twice it is a great ground, I was shattered that I never got to get to an AFL game there. Hope the buy up the properties around there and redevelop it

The buying of surrounding properties was actually discussed at one stage in the mid '90s so the Pies could continue to play there and it could be a 'Collingwood resort'. Mentioned in Alan McAllister's book.

 

[Seedsfan]

The buying of surrounding properties was actually discussed at one stage in the mid '90s so the Pies could continue to play there and it could be a 'Collingwood resort'. Mentioned in Alan McAllister's book.

To bad they had no money in the 90s

 

[Silent Alarm]

The idea of a club as huge as Collingwood playing anywhere but the 'G is a pretty foreign one. I can't fathom that the closest footy ground to my house was home to Collingwood. Even in a training setting it doesn't seem right.

 

[Seedsfan]

But if in the future they were able to redevelop it to a 50-60k seater imagine the amount of money they would make

 

[SJ]

But if in the future they were able to redevelop it to a 50-60k seater imagine the amount of money they would make

And imagine how much that would cost them.

 

[Seedsfan]

And imagine how much that would cost them.

Just because an investments cost a lot doesn't mean it is a bad thing

 

[SJ]

Just because an investments cost a lot doesn't mean it is a bad thing

I didn't say it was bad. But there is a reason that clubs do not build new stadia.

Geelong has paid only a minor part of its redevelopments (only half a ground worth so far) and it is still in debt, even with the large takings from each home game.

 

[Seedsfan]

I didn't say it was bad. But there is a reason that clubs do not build new stadia.

Geelong has paid only a minor part of its redevelopments (only half a ground worth so far) and it is still in debt, even with the large takings from each home game.

I am jealous you got to keep your own ground but that is the advantage you get of being a regional center. Now you are playing there more often all the advertising space you have sold will increase in value. You will also earn more money from food and drinks

 

[SJ]

I am jealous you got to keep your own ground but that is the advantage you get of being a regional center. Now you are playing there more often all the advertising space you have sold will increase in value. You will also earn more money from food and drinks

Well Geelong isn't playing there more often, is in debt, and has another half a ground yet to redevelopment.

It's not all beer and skittles.

 

[Seedsfan]

Well Geelong isn't playing there more often, is in debt, and has another half a ground yet to redevelopment.

It's not all beer and skittles.

They have lights now and play more games there then they have in the last few years

 

[SJ]

They have lights now and play more games there then they have in the last few years

Nope. Count them.

 

[Silent Alarm]

This may interest a few people; a planned and dumped 1980s development of Victoria Park. The Vic Park facebook page just threw this up. Very interesting.