Horrible horrible news

[swansrule100]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG

_Kenny Williams leading the song after game. And engaging in banter with opposition supporters ever since we came up here.

and the opposition players according to justin madden!

[lescygnes]

jeez. thankfully i was sitting down when i read JF's email (thanks for letting me know mate)

russell was a complete character. i used to love **** stirring him. but he always took it well, and even hammed it up on many occasions. and like others on this list, there are numerous times running into him at away games, walking down swanston, yada yada.

it definately is going to be strange to be at a game with him not there.

when is the funeral? (dont think i can make it!)

cheers
john

ps-to answer someones question, kenny williams is ALWAYS chatting to opposition players. he saves the best stuff for ex-swans too (why does Bangers Mitchell come to mind here???)

pss-loved the list JF. Mick Mongrel, what a character he is. the lift he gave me after a game at Princes Park to Flemington, well, nearly didnt get there!!!

[DST]

That bloke with the cow bell in Melbourne was a real character.

Does anyone know if he is still around, did not hear it at the Carlton game this year?

If you can stomach it, go back and watch the 96 GF. You can clearly hear the bell on a few occasions.

DST

[daniel f]

Never spoke to Russel but knew him as the man with the stick,we would try to spot him in the crowd after a goal on the telly,condolences to family and friends-terrible news-R.I.P

[Wardy]

He spent his last day doing supporting the team & friends (new and old) that he loved, I'd say he would have been happy with that.

RIP Russell - it wont be the same without you and the Swan on a stick.

[Old Royboy]

A very sad Royboy drove back from Geelong today.

I didn?t know him well either, but at the crows aftermatch I offered Russell a lift down to Geelong, which he accepted, so got to know him a lot better during the drive down.

Russell was a Kiwi, up until about 3 or 4 years ago when he had his first heart attack he was a bottlo. His first game of AFL was the first game South Melbourne played in Sydney, and he claimed to have been to every game in Sydney since. He also reckoned to have a tape of every game too.

Russell said he got his Swan at the Sydney show about 20 years ago, and although it was the worse for wear he still had it because he just couldn?t find a replacement. He loved a punt, (at one stage he owned seven racehorses) and regretfully the TAB will keep his last bet; $100 on the Swans last weekend. When we stopped at a little petrol station just south of Holbrook on Sat arvo, the only thing that stopped Russell having a bet with the mad cat fan proprietor was the fact he was getting the train home.

My only consolation is that last weekend gave me the chance to get to know a great character and that his last hours were happy. RIP mate.

ps: The Victorian police rang me Tuesday night, apparently Russell spent his last hour in his favourite Melb pub, the Duke of Wellington, telling them about his great weekend and especially about the chant the CS did for him. Apparently he died just after he left there.

The whereabouts of his bag and the Swan was unknown, the police rang me because they were looking for them and to ask if I knew his motel in Geelong. They presumed his stuff would be there or in a luggage locker at Spencer Street. Russell had his train ticket home in his pocket.

[Tooth Fairy]

RIP Russell - What a character indeed

[Bron]

RIP Russell. Part of the Club's traditions.

[Dave]

RIP

[Destructive]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
-Destructive with his demonic powers of putting off opposition goalkickers (and freak out Michael O'Laughlin at a practise match).
_

JF,

Those powers are used for good, not evil. I tend to think of it as a gift.

[dendol]

RIP.

[paralowiepower]

Very sad to hear about Russell.
We dont have too many icons in the crowd any more, and he will be sadly missed by everyone, not just swans fans.
I was fortunate to see him at Football Park earlier in the year at the Power match. Great to see someone so old travel all over the county to support his club. All AFL clubs need supporters like that.

If you cant have something on the front of the banner, surely on the back would be ok? Then the people who would know and miss him most will be able to read it.

RIP
Russell

Shane Kelly

[Maureenjenkin]

Russell was a good sport last Sunday at Skilled Stadium when the cat mascot was playing with the swan on the stick. I didn't see how the cat actually came to have the swan in his possession, I hope that the cat actually asked Russell if he could borrow it for a few minutes and that he didn't just grab it from him. The cat played with the swan, pretending to eat it, kick it, hit it, swing it, and even wiped it on his bum, much to the great amusement of the crowd, all as Russell watched on. Towards the end of the cat's performance I must admit Russell was looking just a little stressed and very anxious to have his swan back in his hot little hands. The cat graciously handed back the swan, and patted Russell on the back and gave him a firm hug for being such a good sport. I'm sure Russell felt better after that. I'm sure those of you from the cheer squad who were not out on the ground with the banner would have witnessed the side show. Thanks for being a good sport Russell and such a true Red and White Swans Supporter. I hope we haven't seen the last of the swan on the stick.

Cheers and tears from Maureen Jenkin.

[Bart]

Club's mention of Russell. This is in the latest email from the club

IN MEMORIAM
As you can imagine we are often asked to remember members and supporters of the club by players wearing armbands, putting notices on the scoreboard etc. Unfortunately, we cannot possibly accommodate all of these requests, however, it would be remiss of us not to notify members of the recent passing of Russell Hair.

Russell was a long standing member of the club and is probably best known to members as the fanatic with the 'swan on a stick'. Russell was to be found in, either Bay 1, or near the club's cheersquad and never went anywhere in the ground without his feathered friend. Russell will be fondly remembered by the Club and all who knew him for the colourful contribution he made to match days.

[Rod_]

Maybe Cyggi should wear a black arm band?

Anyone got any influence?


Rod_