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“Culture is like the sum of special knowledge that accumulates in any large united family and is the common property of all its members,” said Aldous Huxley, author (1894 – 1963).
It was obvious to all Fremantle fans that former president Rick Hart loved the Dockers.
He once shouted a whole bar in Melbourne full of Dockers fans after a rare win.
Through his work, the Dockers had achieved their best result ever, a preliminary final appearance, following an extraordinary run of wins in the home and away season.
It came on the back of increased membership and momentum through the building of the brand of the club with such initiatives as ‘Purple Haze’ day, blow up anchors being given to children and everyone from the coach to the CEO promoting the club.
Members loved the work Rick Hart and others had done to bring the club to the point of financial stability and promise of on-field success.
Following Rick Hart’s presidency, it was expected a steady growth of membership would occur and the young players who had promised so much would deliver.
However, 2011 is quickly going down as the year that present President Steve Harris destabilised much of the good work that has been done amongst the members.
The fact that he originally supported their bitter rivals the West Coast Eagles has made them suspicious from the start.
In a move which threatened to split the membership, Harris removed the key aspect of the logo, the Anchor, and replaced it with something which many fans have labelled ’embarrassing’.
While the new jumper has been applauded by some, the removal of the four colours, symbolising the Port heritage, has raised the ire of members.
Recent press speculation indicates that President Steve will also change the song and move the club from its spiritual base in Fremantle.
While many AFL fans deride the song, it is just as well supported by those sing it around Subiaco oval and at its rare appearances in Victoria.
The song is certainly unique, like the club which commissioned it from Ken Walther, who based it on a Russian folk song.
Many supporters are cynical of the process by which such radical change has taken place.
While members were asked their opinion on a new gurnsey, many see the process being flawed as there was not actual vote, something required at other AFL clubs, and no consultation at all on the new logo.
Now the news that Harris wishes to move the club is possibly the final straw. While there are rumours that the Dockers will have their new facilities based at South Fremantle, others wonder if Harris should be trusted.
Back in the formative years of the club around 10,000 fans marched from Fremantle to Subiaco oval to make the point that the heart of the Dockers is to be found in Fremantle.
Colours, logos, songs and location all form the identity of the club, along with classic wins and even disappointing losses. These form the culture and heart of the club, and are sometimes all the membership has to cling to.
In the short history of Fremantle, true sustained success is not something members have enjoyed. They have however enjoyed supporting a unique club, a peoples club, a Port club, a Fremantle club.
To many of the members, it seems Steve Harris is determined to remove every bit of heart from the club that he can.
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