This Sunday marks the 120th anniversary of Australia’s most famous sporting club. Unfortunately, Collingwood intends to celebrate it. As if supporters of other clubs haven’t had enough of hearing about Collingwood from its President.
As if they haven’t had it up to here (I’m indicating somewhere above the head) reading double-page spreads about what Collingwood has been up to over the pre season; sick to death of having to look at photos of its players in high altitude camp and high fashion sunglasses.
And now they’re going to have to hear the club banging away all season about its “proud culture, history and tradition,” as if no other club had them
I therefore sincerely apologise to everyone, perhaps even to myself, for giving it even more attention.
But the truth is, you can’t ignore it. The club was spawned, then thrived, in a suburb filled with the noxious fumes of its own industries and the run-off from its more affluent neighbours.
It was never going away.
The anniversary, strictly speaking, should have been in 2009, as the club was formed in 1889. But it took three years to gain entry into the VFA, the elite competition of the time.
One of the conditions for its admission, interestingly, was the upgrading of Victoria Park. Watching The Club (1980) recently it became apparent that hardly a thing had been done to the ground since.
As Roar contributor The Cattery put it: “The Pies had outgrown it [Victoria Park] by the time they lost the famous 1970 grand final, but the members were to hang on to their dung heap, stuck in the backstreets, amongst the shoe factories, for another 25+ years, guarding it jealously like the male magpies guard their nests in spring time.”
Belying its humble beginnings, Collingwood became famous for winning premierships, before becoming more famous for losing them.
In 1966 it lost by a point. In 1970 it lost after leading by seven goals. In 1977 it looked like it had won, then looked like it had lost, then drew it, and then lost it. It was beaten by less than a goal in 1979, and by more than thirteen the year after.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, it decided to end an era of sheer dread by losing in 1981 as well. Then, after a much needed rest, there was 2002 , 2003 and … last year.
I can only imagine the mental trauma sustained by the young fans forced to watch.
As a young supporter myself, I escaped the full impact of the 1977 – 1981 grand finals by riding my bike during them. I remember always noticing magpies on such rides; a good omen you would think.
There was the understandable joy of 1990 that induced a hangover in the playing group (literally too as it was still drunk when it arrived in London a week later for the exhibition match against the Bombers) that was eventually expunged when a new generation of players and an outsider by the name of Malthouse arrived.
Despite a grand final horror film reel that includes Barry Breen’s miskick dribbling inside the point post, Jesaulenko’s screamer (made worse by Mike Williamson’s “Jesaulenko, you beauty!”), Wayne Harmes’ boundary line dive, and Paul Licuria crying, the club has prospered.
To the annoyance of every other club, it is a true rags-to-riches story. Making matters worse, it exudes the arrogance of the wealthy while maintaining the martyred pose of the downtrodden.
“You can’t have everything!”, I hear you shout.
Oh yes you can. It has long since moved from its spiritual suburban home and is now luxuriating in the Westpac Centre right next door to the club of privilege, Melbourne.
In the words of its very corporate chief executive Gary Pert the club offers the players: “the quality, and amount of coaches, the resources, and facilities, the Arizona training camp and the brand and opportunities that can arise after your playing career finishes”.
But just when opposition supporters are thinking and hoping the club now sees itself as a sterile brand and has stopped using its past as motivation, President Eddie chimes in with: “Collingwood has a proud culture, history and tradition … when you join Collingwood you become part of a great family”.
To celebrate the anniversary the club has adopted the mentality of the founding members with the slogan: “It’s Us Against Them”, as if everyone hates them.
And I think everyone does.
ian graham
Guest
I am in possession of a Brittania Football Club membership ticket circa 1897. It is leather covered and good condition. Would any Collingwood memorabilia collectors be interested? Iran be contacted 0459266219
ian graham
Guest
I have a leatherbound Brittania Football Club membership ticket 1897 is anyone interested. Make an offer
amazonfan
Roar Guru
"Nobody at Collingwood cares what the rest of Australia thinks." Really? Then why does it give you 'renewed passion – vigor – passion – vigilantieness – thuggery' and it makes you barrack for Collingwood even more? Either you care or you don't, and it appears that you absolutely do.
Justin
Guest
Nobody at Collingwood cares what the rest of Australia thinks. All the people who bag and put collingwood down are silly and gulliable. Why youask? Because that what every Collingwood supporters wan't to be loathed hated kicked and abused. The magpie army love it and it makes them barrack for Collingwood even more. Your giving Collingwood supporters renewed strength and viger to be more fanatical and vigalantie like. Collingwood supporters loved to be abused and give abuse back they are not afraid to get into an argument or fight over their club. They will ultimaltley mow you down and end your life early. Either you like Collingwood or not its up to you. I believe every team should have its turn in winning otherwise it would make the afl matches boring lets hope the Western Bulldogs - Saint Kilda have there turn at winning a flag!!!!! Anyway you are barking up the wrong tree by always bagging the magpie army you are only giving them renewed passion - vigor - passion - vigilantieness - thuggery. Sorry to all collingwood haters but this is the truth.
stabpass
Guest
Just to add a bit more, because my last post was so interesting !, Wal Lee, his wife and son Dick Lee were all Collingwood born, and when Dick Lee finished PRIMARY SHOOL, became what most boys/men did in Collingwood at the time, and that was become a boot-clicker, John Wren and Tommy Sherrin included.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
"When they get asked about issues at press conferences, they give an answer." Just because they get asked a question, does not mean they have to answer. Plus, it's not true anyway. They often make comments without being asked questions. "And if it helps push their own barrow, so be it." Yes, who cares about other clubs. This is why I hate presidents like Ed & Kennett, and why I'm delighted we don't have more presidents like them. They're arrogant, hypocritical, and nowhere near as good as they think they are. IMO the ideal president is someone like Frank Costa. I m think the league would be better off with more presidents like Costa, not Ed or Kennett. "Nothing controversial there." That's a matter of perspective. From the prespective of soneone whose club has been criticized by those two, I disagree.
Australian Rules
Guest
When they get asked about issues at press conferences, they give an answer. And if it helps push their own barrow, so be it. Nothing controversial there.
amazonfan
Guest
"Incredible fun?" It's called hyperbole. People tend to engage in it on a sporting site. "Small things amuse small……" I gather you're being facetious.
amazonfan
Guest
"You really don’t understand do you." Why don't you explain it to me then. Afterall, not everybody are as smart as you. "Must be a short nose." Is that a drug reference? I don't do drugs. I just disagree with you, and I think you're being incredibly moralistic (not to mention hypocritical). Imagine that! I disagree with you. What a terrible thing. If you don't want anybody to disagree with you, or to criticize Collingwood, then you're on the wrong site.
amazonfan
Guest
"Being on your high horse is about ranting, amazingfan. And methinks you are ranting." You think that was a rant? Are you serious? If you think that was a rant, then you are incredibly sensitive. It wasn't BTW. "I seem to twig that you are a Melbourne fan, full of hate for the mighty 'Pies. If that's the case it would surprise me." It surprises you? Are you not aware of history at all? "How ungrateful can you be? CFC have agreed to play Melbourne every Queen's Birthday, no matter how weak you get, and let you have it as a home game, just to help fill your coffers." I guess I should get on my knees and thank you then. Do you hear yourself? How incredibly arrogant can you be?!!! "I don't know why they bother; probably because not all Demon's supporters are so full of immature, blind, hate." This from the person who said 'But the hatred for Carlton is pure' & 'I wasn’t actually aware that I was supposed to hate Essendon, but the feelings for Carlton just came naturally. Slight twinge of disgust there for Hawthorn too. The feelings are also growing for Port Adelaide, but that’s a recent phenomenon.' If you want to accuse me of being 'full of immature, blind, hate', and ranting, you should stop throwing stones. You're as hypocritical as your president.
Richard
Roar Guru
Incredible fun? Small things amuse small...... ;-)
Richard
Roar Guru
You really don't understand do you. Must be a short nose.
Richard
Roar Guru
Being on your high horse is about ranting, amazingfan. And methinks you are ranting. I seem to twig that you are a Melbourne fan, full of hate for the mighty 'Pies. If that's the case it would surprise me. How ungrateful can you be? CFC have agreed to play Melbourne every Queen's Birthday, no matter how weak you get, and let you have it as a home game, just to help fill your coffers. I don't know why they bother; probably because not all Demon's supporters are so full of immature, blind, hate.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
stabpass I'd love to be able to share a beer with you on the outer of a traditional suburban footy ground one day - who knows - maybe a practice game, or NAB cup game, or EJ Whitten game or something, we'll be able to do it and re-live old times. As long as it's not Vic Park - you ain't ever gonna get me down there again!!
slickwilly
Guest
:)
Lachlan
Roar Guru
Yuck Collingwood! Jokes aside, they are no doubt the biggest club in Australia and only getting bigger, which is scary.
huh
Guest
DC, you must be joking- and I belive the club you mentioned no longer exists as it is now merged..
joe blackswan
Guest
so your suggesting no other team has had off field dramas in the past 25 years? Hats off to WCE for addressing the issue and making changes required to try and prevent this from occurring again. "bad karma"? you do know one of collingwoods main revenue streams is from poker machines...and what socio economic areas are these located in? And this is approved by a whole board of older,wiser, educated people as opposed to some young individual with minimal life experience.
stabpass
Guest
I may be a bit misty eyed, but 70,000 + members at the MCG, million $$ profits, training camps at Arizona, and a coaching staff that rivals American football teams does not equate to one home game at Vic Park with a feral one eyed crowd IMO. and a beer afterwards at the Yarra hotel, Retreat etc. And just a guess, but that is what quite a lot of Collingwood members/fans miss. Congrats on your 120 birthday Collingwood, happy to sing the song, and have done so at quite a few funerals and birthdays.
amazonfan
Guest
I completely agree. It's incredibly fun to hate them, however if they were faced with expulsion from the AFL, I would almost be disappointed. Almost. :P :D