Comments like this really annoy me

***goswannie14*** · 13 November 2006, 09:08 PM

It all depended on who we were playing. I remember one game against Richmond, you couldn't even get to the toilet it was so packed. But I think you can get the point that I was trying to make.

***NMWBloods*** · 13 November 2006, 09:53 PM

We'd manage over 20K about 3-4 times a year if we were doing well, and we'd manage the occasional game up around 27K or more. In 1977 we had one at 29K. Our 5th last game in 1981 had nearly 29K.

Also, I find it a bit rich for Sydney people or new supporters to make fun of the crowds at the Lakeside Oval when the lowest crowds since 1949 occurred at the SCG.

Over its history the Swans averaged 18K people at Lakeside Oval and 20K at the SCG.

From 1976-1981 the Lakeside Oval had better attendances than the SCG from 1983-1995 (except for the two years 86-87).

We also have a marginally better winning record at Lakeside Oval than at the SCG!

**DeadlyAkkuret** · 13 November 2006, 10:11 PM

Originally posted by NMWBloods
We'd manage over 20K about 3-4 times a year if we were doing well, and we'd manage the occasional game up around 27K or more. In 1977 we had one at 29K. Our 5th last game in 1981 had nearly 29K.

Also, I find it a bit rich for Sydney people or new supporters to make fun of the crowds at the Lakeside Oval when the lowest crowds since 1949 occurred at the SCG.

Over its history the Swans averaged 18K people at Lakeside Oval and 20K at the SCG.

From 1976-1981 the Lakeside Oval had better attendances than the SCG from 1983-1995 (except for the two years 86-87).

We also have a marginally better winning record at Lakeside Oval than at the SCG!

What does the winning percentage have to do with anything?

***NMWBloods*** · 13 November 2006, 10:14 PM

Originally posted by DeadlyAkkuret
What does the winning percentage have to do with anything?

Just a little extra observation that was interesting.

**DeadlyAkkuret** · 13 November 2006, 10:51 PM

Originally posted by NMWBloods
We'd manage over 20K about 3-4 times a year if we were doing well, and we'd manage the occasional game up around 27K or more. In 1977 we had one at 29K. Our 5th last game in 1981 had nearly 29K.

Those stats aren't exactly a glowing endorsement, over 20K 3-4 times a year IF you were doing well? and of course you're going to get a bigger than average crowd for the 5th last game, that's a big occasion, if Sydney were playing their last game in Sydney next year i'm sure they'd pull a fair size crowd too. I'm tired of this myth that the 'old South Melbourne' supporters were more loyal n supportive of the Swans, when i know very well there's a number of NSW born Swans fans out there that have just as much passion, which was proven by the election of Roos as coach.

**Wardy** · 14 November 2006, 06:07 AM

Originally posted by Go Swannies
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.

You left out the Narara weekends 83-84 on the Central Coast now that was a beauty. I'm sure I saw you there GS

**Bloody Hell** · 14 November 2006, 06:21 AM

Originally posted by Wardy
You left out the Narara weekends 83-84 on the Central Coast now that was a beauty. I'm sure I saw you there GS

Six and out - Big Day Out...Last Big Day Out at the Showground before it became Fox Studios (sorry...not as old as you guys).

***goswannie14*** · 14 November 2006, 06:42 AM

Originally posted by DeadlyAkkuret
Those stats aren't exactly a glowing endorsement, over 20K 3-4 times a year IF you were doing well? and of course you're going to get a bigger than average crowd for the 5th last game, that's a big occasion, if Sydney were playing their last game in Sydney next year i'm sure they'd pull a fair size crowd too. I'm tired of this myth that the 'old South Melbourne' supporters were more loyal n supportive of the Swans, when i know very well there's a number of NSW born Swans fans out there that have just as much passion, which was proven by the election of Roos as coach.

Who said that those of us from the old SMFC games are more loyal? The aspersions on here often seem to be the other way around,hence the perceived need to defend our support of the team.

Yeah, I am a Swans supporter because my Dad grew up in South Melbourne, but what has that really got to do with anything?

In the end, we have all come to support the Swans in defferent ways, the main thing is that we o support the Swans.

**Bloody Hell** · 14 November 2006, 07:09 AM

The battle lines are drawn....

Things certainly get firey in here when the legitimacy of SM supporters is questioned.

***goswannie14*** · 14 November 2006, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by Bloody Hell
The battle lines are drawn....

Things certainly get firey in here when the legitimacy of SM supporters is questioned.

I think it's a stupid and devisive line to take. As long as we all support the Swans what does it matter whether we have done that for 2 years, 20, years or 40 years.

In Melbourne it is the done thing to be able to recite the heritage and reason that you support your club. It is not unique to Swans supporters, most Victorians who follow a team can do the same. I know of people who's parents/grandparents saw Ted Whitten play his first game, who saw Jack Dyer and Lou Richards play. Being able to do this is part of the heritage of the VFL/AFL.

In short, I don't care if those comments annoy you because it is part of footy culture. The more that threads like this are brought up the more you will hear the comments that annoy you, as it is usually only when questioned that those of us "Mexicans" feel the need to justify our support of The Mighty Swans.

**Bloody Hell** · 14 November 2006, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by goswannie14
I think it's a stupid and devisive line to take. ...

In short, I don't care if those comments annoy you because it is part of footy culture. The more that threads like this are brought up the more you will hear the comments that annoy you, as it is usually only when questioned that those of us "Mexicans" feel the need to justify our support of The Mighty Swans.

I agree....as it doesn't annoy me.

To be honest I find it quite amusing how quickly things turn to 'schoolyard' arguing when this subject is brought up.

***NMWBloods*** · 14 November 2006, 08:17 AM

Originally posted by DeadlyAkkuret
Those stats aren't exactly a glowing endorsement, over 20K 3-4 times a year IF you were doing well? and of course you're going to get a bigger than average crowd for the 5th last game, that's a big occasion, if Sydney were playing their last game in Sydney next year i'm sure they'd pull a fair size crowd too. I'm tired of this myth that the 'old South Melbourne' supporters were more loyal n supportive of the Swans, when i know very well there's a number of NSW born Swans fans out there that have just as much passion, which was proven by the election of Roos as coach.

I never said it was a glowing endorsment. Rather it was simply the case that the crowds weren't as bad as some people make out. New Sydney supporters occasionally insinuate that Melbourne people don't 'deserve' the club as they didn't support it when it was in Melbourne. That's obviously not the case.

**AnnieH** · 14 November 2006, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by Wardy
You left out the Narara weekends 83-84 on the Central Coast now that was a beauty. I'm sure I saw you there GS

I was at Narara 84. And I have a T-Shirt from Live Aid (still in its plastic). It was a gift from my best friend who was there (does that still count?).

**reigning premier** · 14 November 2006, 08:51 AM

I think it's a fair comment that the old SM fans didn't sufficiently support their team when they had the oppurtunity, and therefore the Swans had to relocate to survive.....

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.....

You're all living in glass houses and those there are very hefty stones being thrown around....

**Tuco** · 14 November 2006, 10:18 AM

Shakespeare had a pertinent quote: "the past is prologue".

I always get surprised when Swans fans decide they are really South Melbourne supporters, or Sydney supporters alone. And even more shocked when I see the two sides start lining up as in this thread to duke it out. Total self-defeating stuff.