Comments like this really annoy me

***NMWBloods*** · 13 November 2006, 01:15 PM

We went to nearly every game from mid 1975 to 1978 (typically about 15-20 per year), but after that we had less free time on Saturdays so we would only go a few times a year.

**hammo** · 13 November 2006, 01:16 PM

Yes, with so much support in Melbourne it makes you wonder why the club had to move in the first place

**Wil** · 13 November 2006, 02:01 PM

Re: Comments like this really annoy me

Originally posted by Doctor J.
In fact I am often left wondering how attendances at South home matches weren't regularly in the 30-40,000. Simply amazing.

Am I wrong or is it possible some people might be a little careless with the truth? If so why? What purpose does it serve?

I always think the same thing. It reminds me of South Sydney and all the thousands who marched to get them back into RL only to not bother turning up to the games.

**Ruda Wakening** · 13 November 2006, 02:23 PM

Re: Comments like this really annoy me

Originally posted by Doctor J.
Am I wrong or is it possible some people might be a little careless with the truth?

They were all at the first Nirvana gig too.

***goswannie14*** · 13 November 2006, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by NMWBloods
We went to nearly every game from mid 1975 to 1978 (typically about 15-20 per year), but after that we had less free time on Saturdays so we would only go a few times a year.

From the mid 70's to about 1981, I used to go to just about every game, but then other things took priority (playing footy, work, going to watch netball, which is a very good spectator sport for a teenage guy). I was in the CS from 78-80, and enjoyed that. But I don't know of many people that went every week year in year out, except for a few of the members.

But Doc, don't put us all in the same basket.

**CureTheSane** · 13 November 2006, 03:02 PM

I only went to a handful at the Lake Oval, when I was old enough to go by myself.
I wasn't brought up in a football orientated family.
And I never went to a Nirvana gig.
I do like the Foo Fighters though.
But then again I like that "I Don't Feel Like Dancing" song too, so go figure.....

**SthMelbDieHard** · 13 November 2006, 03:16 PM

I don't recall anyone ever telling me that they or a family member attended "every" game at Lakeside Oval.

I know my Grandfather attended many games. I know I am one of 27 Grandchildren that can refer to Grandad's fondness of the Bloods. I know I get asked all the time why I barrack for the Swans being I am Melbourne based.

This would go along way to explain why you may have heard so many people refering to fathers/grandfathers etc.

But at the end of the day, does it really matter?

**Go Swannies** · 13 November 2006, 04:49 PM

Next you'll want to track the correlation between Lake Oval attendees and those who were at Woodstock (did anyone miss it?), Sunbury (go Thorpie and Hoges) and the Beatles' Sydney Concert.

**Doctor J.** · 13 November 2006, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by SthMelbDieHard
I don't recall anyone ever telling me that they or a family member attended "every" game at Lakeside Oval.

I know my Grandfather attended many games. I know I am one of 27 Grandchildren that can refer to Grandad's fondness of the Bloods. I know I get asked all the time why I barrack for the Swans being I am Melbourne based.

This would go along way to explain why you may have heard so many people refering to fathers/grandfathers etc.

But at the end of the day, does it really matter?

It probably doesn't matter at all, but there is one thing about Sydney fans, and in particular Melbourne based fans, is they all will religously claim some family heritage to the club, which is OK, its gotta start somewhere I suppose. However they also, in my experiences like to add that they and their families have been huge fans of the club all their lives.

I just firstly question the need to bring out the resume, and secondly, given that the club relocated, how genuinely huge was their support at the time of the relocation.

**swantastic** · 13 November 2006, 06:41 PM

I went to just about every game at the oval from about 72 onwards until there collapse and move to sydney in 81.I still have my grand fathers membership tokens from the 1920 through until 1980 with about 10/15 missing.

**Damien** · 13 November 2006, 08:29 PM

Originally posted by Doctor J.
It probably doesn't matter at all, but there is one thing about Sydney fans, and in particular Melbourne based fans, is they all will religously claim some family heritage to the club, which is OK, its gotta start somewhere I suppose. However they also, in my experiences like to add that they and their families have been huge fans of the club all their lives.

I just firstly question the need to bring out the resume, and secondly, given that the club relocated, how genuinely huge was their support at the time of the relocation.

I agree with a lot of what you have said. Mum in particular used to take us to games in the early 90's in Melbourne, flying from Tassie for a weekend and the active supporter base (i.e Swans supporters at Melbourne games) has increased dramatically since 1995, so it is very clear that being from Melbourne or having a massive family connection does not necessarily mean you were offering financial and at ground support during the hard times, which is often implied by Melbourne based supporters. (not pointing fingers here!, but that is the general consensus I get from fans over the past 10 years on my trips down there!)

On the 'resume' thing though, I think Swans fans are the most questioned fans on earth about their committment to the Swans and Footy. I occasionally have to let people know my life story just so they know the Swans aren't just a fashionable little thing I do while they are winning!!!!.

**DeadlyAkkuret** · 13 November 2006, 08:48 PM

Originally posted by hammo
Yes, with so much support in Melbourne it makes you wonder why the club had to move in the first place

Yeah, there wasn't enough room in South Melbourne for all the Swans players and their 50,000 supporters, and one had to go, i guess it was the football club? lol...

***goswannie14*** · 13 November 2006, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by hammo
Yes, with so much support in Melbourne it makes you wonder why the club had to move in the first place

The same could be said about Carlton, Melbourne, Hawthorn, Footscray/Western Bulldogs etc today. Support of a team doesn't always turn into dollars.

BTW as the Lake Oval only held 27,000 to 30,000 depending on how close we stood together, suggestions of 30,000 to 40,000 are just ridiculous. Back then only 2 grounds held that many people, the MCG and VFL Park.

**DeadlyAkkuret** · 13 November 2006, 09:03 PM

How often did they get 27,000 at LO?