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Life in Sydney-footy fans told to stop barracking!
I would like to tell you all about the fun I had today at the new home of the Swans in Sydney, the Sydney Aussie Rules Social Club. But sadly I thought I'd tell you about the uphill battle we have in establish any sort of footy culture in Sydney at all.
Many of us watched not only the Swans match inside the club, but the Eagles-Adelaide one as well. Several diehard footy freaks stayed back for the Port vs Freo match from Footy Park. There were several very vocal Dockers supporters, and a typical half-arsed Eagles nong who was trying to convince me that it is actually acceptable and normal footy culture to follow BOTH the Eagles and Dockers There were two extremely loud Port Adelaide supporters, resplendant in their Power scarves.
Both sets of supporters were really riding every bump. The Freo woman was obviously pretty knowledgeable, as she knew her Thorntons from her Schammers from her Parkers etc etc. Out of respect at her passion the remaining Swans gang started to chant and sing for Freo. Because let's face it, somebody has to LOL. The Port gals were just as vocal for the Power, breaking into their club song in the last quarter. It was like I wasn't in Sydney for a couple of hours. Totally alien to be honest, but not only bloody unreal, but about bloody time to be honest! Just footy fans enjoyingt the game, and revelling in being amongst other passionate footy supporters.
Then up come security to say if we kept up that sort of behaviour we'd all be asked to leave. They said that their had been complaints from "other patrons downstairs" . These patrons were downstairs "trying to watch the football" we were told. That football was actualy a RUGBY UNION match between South Africa and NZ. If watching rugby union in an AFL establishment is not enough of an insult, complaining about people barracking watching the footy was the straw that broke the camel's back. Needless to say the expats were totally bemused at all this. The locals who saw what was happening were completely disgusted (especially colourful local AFL identity Beaussie who set about giving the staff member and the old fogies intent on watching the bloody rugger a gobfull in usual!)
Up come security to once again admonish these 'loutish' footy fans for their behaviour. They were looking at us all as if we were some freaks from the black lagoon. It was as if they had never seen passionate football fans before in their lives. In their pea-brained minds NOISE obviously must equal BAD BEHAVIOUR! Meanwhle the Port and Freo gals were really getting on well despite the scoreline.
I have to ask you all, like how is footy ever going to be accepted in Sydney when you get people who have chosen to come to an AFL establishment told to shut up when they are doing what comes naturally, barracing for their teams. Or even worse, being asked to leave because of people wanting to watch the rugby union quietly in a bar downstairs! Why is passion such a dirty word in this city?
Man, despite how well the Swans are going at the moment, following footy in this city can be such a drain at times! Why is barracking so uncool? Why is passion such a sin?! All I can ask is that is you are a supporter of the game, ie that means teams other than the Swans to keep attending the club and to watch matches there. These days when the Swans play there there is plenty of red and white on display. But it is when other clubs are play that we need the expats to go there. As there is nothing more gauling that having people turn the TV over to the NRL or Wobblies in YOUR own club.
JF
Many of us watched not only the Swans match inside the club, but the Eagles-Adelaide one as well. Several diehard footy freaks stayed back for the Port vs Freo match from Footy Park. There were several very vocal Dockers supporters, and a typical half-arsed Eagles nong who was trying to convince me that it is actually acceptable and normal footy culture to follow BOTH the Eagles and Dockers There were two extremely loud Port Adelaide supporters, resplendant in their Power scarves.
Both sets of supporters were really riding every bump. The Freo woman was obviously pretty knowledgeable, as she knew her Thorntons from her Schammers from her Parkers etc etc. Out of respect at her passion the remaining Swans gang started to chant and sing for Freo. Because let's face it, somebody has to LOL. The Port gals were just as vocal for the Power, breaking into their club song in the last quarter. It was like I wasn't in Sydney for a couple of hours. Totally alien to be honest, but not only bloody unreal, but about bloody time to be honest! Just footy fans enjoyingt the game, and revelling in being amongst other passionate footy supporters.
Then up come security to say if we kept up that sort of behaviour we'd all be asked to leave. They said that their had been complaints from "other patrons downstairs" . These patrons were downstairs "trying to watch the football" we were told. That football was actualy a RUGBY UNION match between South Africa and NZ. If watching rugby union in an AFL establishment is not enough of an insult, complaining about people barracking watching the footy was the straw that broke the camel's back. Needless to say the expats were totally bemused at all this. The locals who saw what was happening were completely disgusted (especially colourful local AFL identity Beaussie who set about giving the staff member and the old fogies intent on watching the bloody rugger a gobfull in usual!)
Up come security to once again admonish these 'loutish' footy fans for their behaviour. They were looking at us all as if we were some freaks from the black lagoon. It was as if they had never seen passionate football fans before in their lives. In their pea-brained minds NOISE obviously must equal BAD BEHAVIOUR! Meanwhle the Port and Freo gals were really getting on well despite the scoreline.
I have to ask you all, like how is footy ever going to be accepted in Sydney when you get people who have chosen to come to an AFL establishment told to shut up when they are doing what comes naturally, barracing for their teams. Or even worse, being asked to leave because of people wanting to watch the rugby union quietly in a bar downstairs! Why is passion such a dirty word in this city?
Man, despite how well the Swans are going at the moment, following footy in this city can be such a drain at times! Why is barracking so uncool? Why is passion such a sin?! All I can ask is that is you are a supporter of the game, ie that means teams other than the Swans to keep attending the club and to watch matches there. These days when the Swans play there there is plenty of red and white on display. But it is when other clubs are play that we need the expats to go there. As there is nothing more gauling that having people turn the TV over to the NRL or Wobblies in YOUR own club.
JF
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