A work mate of mine at the time who was UK born & avid Carlton supporter, gave up following the AFL in disgust. Said no way this would happen in the EPL & couldn't believe how the AFL could let a club like Fitzroy die. Years later we happen to bump into each other in pub during GF week in 2005. He was still true to his word but was genuinely very happy for me that the Swans made GF and so hoping we'd win. He caught up with me post GF to celebrate win with me, knowing how much it meant.
Swans v Giants Elimination Final 2021
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Hello royboy
You may not realise the irony of being a Fitzroy supporter who laments their passing and now barracks for the Swans.
My understanding of the sad saga (please correct if wrong): When the VFL were selecting a team to be sent to Sydney to exploit the Sydney advertising market and to provide a Sunday game that could be directly televised to Melbourne, they initially selected Fitzroy (who supposedly were in the worst financial shape of the VFL teams). However, people associated with the Fitzroy hierarchy learnt of the VFL's plans and initiated a campaign of lobbying the other VFL clubs to have South sent in their place. This campaign was successful and Fitzroy received a temporary stay of execution. Of course, I appreciate that even if South had survived this episode, it is very likely that they would have ultimately been sent to somewhere like Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Nevertheless, this old South supporter does not harbour rosy memories of Fitzroy.
And welcome aboard!He reminds him of the guys, close-set, slow, and never rattled, who were play-makers on the team. (John Updike, seeing Josh Kennedy in a crystal ball)Comment
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I'm not sure that Fitzroy actively lobbied for South to go to Sydney instead of them - might be wrong there - but it's certainly true that Fitzroy was the first club considered for relocation.
Proposed mergers and relocations of the Fitzroy Football Club - Wikipedia
I don't remember Fitzroy trying to get South to Sydney instead of them. I may be wrong, but I really dont hhink so.
There was a huge "merge Fitzroy and Footscray" movement that lasted a long time.
I think the Dogs finally put it to bed.
And there were mutterings about North merging with us as well, which evaporated.
Then the Brisbane thing , of course.Last edited by royboy42; 10 September 2021, 03:36 PM.Comment
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I don't remember Fitzroy trying to get South to Sydney instead of them. I may be wrong, but I really dont hhink so.
There was a huge "merge Fitzroy and Footscray" movement that lasted a long time.
I think the Dogs finally put it to bed.
And there were mutterings about North merging with us as well, which evaporated.
Then the Brisbane thing , of course.Comment
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The comments by Brisbane's President were the reason my brother never went to another football match...and loathed everything Bears/Lions till the day he died.Comment
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I'm not sure that Fitzroy actively lobbied for South to go to Sydney instead of them - might be wrong there - but it's certainly true that Fitzroy was the first club considered for relocation.
Proposed mergers and relocations of the Fitzroy Football Club - WikipediaA work mate of mine at the time who was UK born & avid Carlton supporter, gave up following the AFL in disgust. Said no way this would happen in the EPL & couldn't believe how the AFL could let a club like Fitzroy die. Years later we happen to bump into each other in pub during GF week in 2005. He was still true to his word but was genuinely very happy for me that the Swans made GF and so hoping we'd win. He caught up with me post GF to celebrate win with me, knowing how much it meant.Comment
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Hi royboy.
I can understand your angst when your beloved Roys were disbanded and a number of players headed north to form a composite team with the Bears.The league made a concession when they changed the colours and renaimed the team.How many of theFitzroy players went to Brisbane?. You may recollect. Anyway it didnt soothe the hurt of the old diehard Roy supporters. I dont know any of my old mates, lifelong supporters who have followed the Brisbane team
Fortunately with South it was a different scenario.The whole team was moved (dumped) up to Sydney,but we still had our colours ,team etc ,but with different location. Better than the team ceasing to exist,and we have had some great moments from them. I"ll always remember the amazing euphoria I experienced at the siren after waiting 72 years to see a premiership.
Great that after the Fitzroy debacle you picked the Swans to follow.Comment
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Hi royboy.
I can understand your angst when your beloved Roys were disbanded and a number of players headed north to form a composite team with the Bears.The league made a concession when they changed the colours and renaimed the team.How many of theFitzroy players went to Brisbane?. You may recollect. Anyway it didnt soothe the hurt of the old diehard Roy supporters. I dont know any of my old mates, lifelong supporters who have followed the Brisbane team
Fortunately with South it was a different scenario.The whole team was moved (dumped) up to Sydney,but we still had our colours ,team etc ,but with different location. Better than the team ceasing to exist,and we have had some great moments from them. I"ll always remember the amazing euphoria I experienced at the siren after waiting 72 years to see a premiership.
Great that after the Fitzroy debacle you picked the Swans to follow.
And the 2005 flag was my first premiership too. Talk about euphoria.
Fitzroy won in 44, but i was too young to be part of it. And they never made another Grandy.
Chris Johnson was the only one of the eight that lasted.Comment
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I don't remember Fitzroy trying to get South to Sydney instead of them. I may be wrong, but I really dont hhink so.
There was a huge "merge Fitzroy and Footscray" movement that lasted a long time.
I think the Dogs finally put it to bed.
And there were mutterings about North merging with us as well, which evaporated.
Then the Brisbane thing , of course.Comment
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A few of the boys I went through school with gave good service to the Roys.
Ken & Gerry Sier , Bill Stephen , Eddie Goodger, Kevin Murray , Col Davey , Keith Weigard.
You would remember some of them royboyComment
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I remember Murray Weideman sucker punching Eddie Goodger at BSO one day.
Kevin. of course, was a hero...saw his first game and knew straight away. He was only 16/17.
Bill, great back pocket and captain..Failed as coach.
Keith became an excellent administrator.Comment
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