Comments like this really annoy me

[glennb]

Originally posted by robbieando
Spot on.

It wasn't the crowds or lack thereof (but it should still be remembered that we did have one of the lowest supporter bases going around in anycase and at the time many of the older supporters were starting to die off) that forced the move. What really forced the move was the fact we couldn't cope with the increase of transfer fees, player wages and the fact we had to pay more to keep the Lake Oval in a fit state to stay open (and even then it was falling apart) at the time and couldn't get enough sponsorship to cover costs like other clubs could (Just Jeans put $100,000 on the table at one stage but that bearly covered our debts let alone our costs).

That was mainly due to the fact we had only made the finals twice since 1945 (70 and 77), so companies tended to look towards the likes of Collingwood, Carlton, Hawthorn, Richmond and at the time North Melbourne. Also take into account the VFL's campaign to get us to Sydney and regardless of what our crowd levels were we were always going to end up in Sydney after the 1981 season.

But don't let fact spoil a nice rant

Well done robbieando. i'm one of those who grew up in South in Stead St and went every week with my father & grandfather (Hec McConnell who was vice president for a period), and despite the original thread suggesting a number of us are bandwagon jumpers, i used to sit in the front of the Cricket Club stand, and met a number of old South people at the Bloodstanied angels ball last year. During the keep south at south campaign, and the days leading up to the move there was a lot of venom from a lot of people that were against the move, (and probably as much for it). They werent all members, but people still showed their support. No matter what money may have been thrown at the club, Aylett was always gonna have us in Sydney

[Ed_Gein]

I spose it could toe in line with the day Lockett kicked 16.0. Only 7,500 people were there on the day, but 40,000 will tell you they went.

[Bloody Hell]

Originally posted by Ed_Gein
I spose it could toe in line with the day Lockett kicked 16.0. Only 7,500 people were there on the day, but 40,000 will tell you they went.

I've lost count of the number of people I've met who are related to Don Bradman...or Ned Kelly for that matter...

[Doctor J.]

Originally posted by Ed_Gein
I spose it could toe in line with the day Lockett kicked 16.0. Only 7,500 people were there on the day, but 40,000 will tell you they went.

I must be the only Melbourne based Swan who wasn't at that game.

This was exactly my point to begin with, people bull@@@@ about their commitment to the cause in the past. Why?

"I was there when..." is a common phrase.

All I'm saying is if only this was the reality then perhaps South may never have had to move. That is all folks.

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by Doctor J.
I must be the only Melbourne based Swan who wasn't at that game.

I wasn't.

[NMWBloods]

Neither was I. Although I do remember it!

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Neither was I. Although I do remember it!

I remember seeing some footage on tv. All I remember was that Pluggers shorts looked as big as Buckley's.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by goswannie14
I remember seeing some footage on tv. All I remember was that Pluggers shorts looked as big as Buckley's.

That was the game where he dragged himself wasn't it?

I remember coz I was there, or did I see it on TV!

[Bear]

But I also remember being able to have an entire row to myself at the SCG for many years over the early 90's because there was only about 6,000 people at the game.....
[/B]

Yeah, you and 50,000 others.

This is the one I most hear

[dread and might]

I remember when Hungry jacks were handing out free tickets with every family meal.....