Horrible horrible news

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by BBB
I don't understand the politics behind what you can and cannot put on the banner, but a "RIP Russell" at the bottom of the banner is surely not too much to ask.

I often laugh at how seriously some here take themselves when they 'confront' the club over issues.

As I said, I'm hopeful that common sense will prevail. And that the club has a heart. Because a football club should be like a big family. We are mourning Russell's loss. He deserves the respect of people knowing what a loyal and passionate supporter he was. And just like this club, how he refused to give up, even in the face of horrible adversity.

We now need to try and find somebody who can draw a picture of a Swan on a stick. Anyone willing to help out. I'll gladly help you whereever I can, but I can't draw for crap.

JF

[NMWBloods]

That's a shame - always seemed a bit of an old nutter from a distance, but added lots of character to a game that lacks a bit these days.

Maybe it's an omen if he was indeed born in 1933.

Pity about the banner, but I can understand the thought of the club. Still, I think he would be very pleased and proud to know that the players would wear black arm bands in his honour. I think that would be the ultimate compliment to him. This would be a great thing for the players to do.

But I agree with BBB, a small 'RIP Russell' on the banner would not cause any harm to anyone and should be done.

A sign and the Swan hanging up in the stands would be good too.

[Charlie]

I didn't know him that well - but he was a nice, genuinely friendly guy. Was always happy to have a chat - even though he probably couldn't place my name.

RIP Russell - sorry for calling the Swan a 'duck', mate. Julian - any chance of you getting the Swan to Subi this week?

[Triple B]

Something tells me the cheer squad will be the ones wearing the black armbands, not the players.

[Cher]

I'll make a banner to hold up.

If someone can do a pic - and send me a high quality jpeg I will iron it on.

I'll be in Sydney for the Brisbane game but have a reserved seat so will give it to Julian or someone to hold up in the Cheer Squad.

So give me your ideas on wording by Friday.

Do we need anything more than R.I.P Russell??

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by BBB
Something tells me the cheer squad will be the ones wearing the black armbands, not the players.

Ah, yes of course - that makes more sense. Stupid me! Oh well then, I'd suggest that the cheer squad definitely puts 'RIP Russell' somewhere on the banner - not too big, but noticeable. What can the club do about that.

[Triple B]

NMWBloods 'seemed like an old nutter from the distance' reference is pretty close to the mark about how most fans would have thought, I would think. I certainly did.

I'm pretty sure the club would have seen him that way as well. But what the club has got to understand is that Russell was a member of the cheer squad, who want to pay respects to one of their own.

I reckon when Kenny Williams passes on the club will have a tribute (and so they should) on the banner. He deserves it. He is a part of the club culture.

Russell with his funny 'Swan on a stick' which made the kids laugh and smile is part of the cheer squad culture.

Let them pay THEIR respect.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by BBB
Considering the Cheer squad does all the bloody work, if they want to honour one of their own, I would TELL the club they intend doing it.

Whilst Julian's suggestion was very good, I would suggest just a small 'RIP Russell' underneath the main banner theme of the day would not be treading on toes.

All I can say is "Watch this space".

But of course I know absolutely nothing about what is going on.

JF

[anne]

So sad. I can't remember Russell but definitely knew the Swan. How sad that the last game he saw was a loss.

[Damien]

Very sorry to hear this news.

Like mentioned throughout the thread - would be a disgrace if the banner doesn't have a small tribute to a loyal fan.

[cheersquadsteve]

so very sad to hear the news of russell's passing, he certainly was one of football's characters

ill allways remember the opposition supporters giving russell so much stick about that big giant swan, and russell not backing down an inch

he will be sorely missed

[Rob-bloods]

RIP to a good ol' fan, I too whilst not knowing the gentleman always had a chuckle at that 'bloody bird' on a stick over the years, just sorry we could not get a Premiership for him, hopefully he is in a better place now where the Bloods win a premiership every year!

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by BBB
NMWBloods 'seemed like an old nutter from the distance' reference is pretty close to the mark about how most fans would have thought, I would think. I certainly did.

I know what you are saying mate. To be brutally honest, I increasingly did too. He was starting to look all the more grubby, all the less able to engage in a decent conversation. Obviously this was due to his health problems. I feel bad in admitting that I was kind of slack towards him at times because of his state of hygiene etc etc.

But it didn't stop him wanting to carry on doing what he wanted to do one iota. Russell was always a highly highly stubborn bastard (so stubborn infact that he lost his 1996 GF ticket because he refused to move from the front row where the floggers have to go because that was where HE had sat with his teddybear all those years.)

Even a few weeks ago he was more than happy to take the flags to Adelaide on the Indian Pacific for me. I declined as I thought it was completely slack when the poor old guy when he could hardly even walk. But that typified the spirit of the old guy, never give up. And never let obstacles get in the way of your goals.

JF

[Bear]

Like many, have seen him for years and years from afar.

RIP loyal Swan.

[Norris Lurker]

That's very sad news. Russell, with his famous Swan on a stick, was a well-known character around the club - he was always there, even back during the days of the great losing streak, and his Swan went everywhere.
I remember the Melbourne game last year. On the morning of the game I was at Spencer St to meet the _babes who had come down overnight on the train, and Russell was in the same carriage, his Swan on a stick was there of course. He would have then carried it on the tram to the MCG.

RIP Russell.