Off season reminiscences for history heads

[Ruck'n'Roll]

The President of the VFL at the time was one Alan Aylett, ex North Melbourne player and Captain and there was no way he was going to let them go to Sydney, even though as I believe, they were worse off than us.

We had been in the gun for a few years as we had proposed to set up an interstate night competition at the South ground, as it was the only ground at the time that had lights. The South Melbourne Cricket Club was the tenant of the ground, and the VFL sent a letter to the cricket club saying that if it went ahead then South would no longer be able to play at the Lake Oval. How do I know this; I read the letter.

Initially the VFL tried to pack Fitzroy off to Sydney, but the Fitzroy president at the time Leon Weigard arced up and managed to get the supporters to rally around the club and the VFL backed off. So logically we were going to be the next.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the funding the VFL pulled was for the new stand that was to be built on the bowling green side of the ground. I also saw those plans. Once Fitzroy was out of the equation I believe the wheels were put in motion to shaft us.

The VFL froze Souths part of the half million dollar "ground improvement fund" basically to encourage the move. The Swans board saw the writing on the wall, and agreed to the move. They then got rolled by the KSAS lobby at an AGM on September 22, despite rampant pro-move vote stacking with loads of new members suddenly appearing prior to the meeting.
Having seen the election botched, the The VFL then used the fixture, and informed the club that they would not schedule any Swans home games anywhere other than the SCG (do you still have the letter Nico? - I would love a copy for my archives).
Anyway game over, the KSAS board resigned en masse - and we were off to Sydney. While the majority of the players were pro-move, some weren't. Peter Morrison and Kevin Goss apparently got extremely heated mid air during an end of season trip. The latter apparently invited the former to step outside - yes I know but the Goss' were "burough boys" . Foschini and the Morwoods have been mentioned already in this thread.

I don't now whether the VFL allowed the original relocation plan to be dumped in retaliation for Swans intransigence or not - but there' a certain similarity to the Buddy/COLA thing isn't there?

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On This Day: Swans move to Sydney

Thanks for finding and posting that link

[Nico]

RnR. I only saw the letter, but I am pretty sure that the ground development funds were for the new stand. The VFL got very nasty about the night competition.

[KSAS]

On This Day: Swans move to Sydney

Gees that brings back awful & sickening memories reading that. I remember seeing tv footage of Steven Wright breaking down & being consoled in the carpark. It's nothing short of a miracle to see how strong the club is now and embracing the South Melbourne/Bloods heritage, including wearing the red V strip at Melbourne games.

I recall reading a newspaper article in the late 80's when the club was struggling in the post Edlesten era, with suggestion to re-brand the club colours to the "two blues" of NSW and new nickname of the Sydney Sharks! Glad that never got any traction!

Some years ago I had the great pleasure of meeting Bob Skilton. He mentioned that the club was on it's knees 3-4 time post the Sydney move (not just 93) and miracle it did not fold.

I still have vivid post game memories of the 96 QF v Hawthorn at the SCG. Flew up with my late dad as Father's Day treat. It was the club's first Finals win (bar the 1982 night GF) since 1945. The crowd was euphoric, singing the club song on repeat. Upon seeing this, my dad who was a passionate Blood, said in humble reflection "this is their home now". I'll never forget it.

[Blood Fever]

It was miraculous that the club didn't fold. My kids started following footy in the early 90s and I didn't push them to be Swans fans because it looked almost certain they wouldn't be around. That's how dire it was.

[Sandridge]

I recall reading a newspaper article in the late 80's when the club was struggling in the post Edlesten era, with suggestion to re-brand the club colours to the "two blues" of NSW and new nickname of the Sydney Sharks! Glad that never got any traction!

I remember that time, too, and would like to know more about who was behind that push and, more importantly, who successfully fought against it! It would have been sheer lunacy to disenfranchise 5,000 to 10,000 Melbourne based members just for the sake of trying to make the club a truly Sydney entity.

What I love about the Melbourne based support for our club is that it is still very strong, even though it's now over 40 years since the Swans were based in Melbourne. Bloods support at games in Melbourne is fantastic and a lot of the supporters wouldn't be old enough to have seen a club called South Melbourne. We oldies are doing a magnificent job of keeping the Bloods tradition alive in Melbourne!!

[Sandridge]

I still have vivid post game memories of the 96 QF v Hawthorn at the SCG. Flew up with my late dad as Father's Day treat. It was the club's first Finals win (bar the 1982 night GF) since 1945. The crowd was euphoric, singing the club song on repeat. Upon seeing this, my dad who was a passionate Blood, said in humble reflection "this is their home now". I'll never forget it.

Love this story! What a great memory for you! Watched that game with my brother and I'll never forget the hug we shared at the final siren!

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It was miraculous that the club didn't fold. My kids started following footy in the early 90s and I didn't push them to be Swans fans because it looked almost certain they wouldn't be around. That's how dire it was.

Are they Swans fans now, BF?

[Blood Fever]

Barrack for Essendon due to another family connection. Swans are their second team. Learnt to live with it! No big drama. The real cementing of Melbourne based Swans support came with the appointment of Paul Roos I reckon. If they had started barracking in this era instead of ten years earlier, they have been Bloods for sure. One of those things,

[KSAS]

Love this story! What a great memory for you! Watched that game with my brother and I'll never forget the hug we shared at the final!

Thankyou Sandrdge. If I may add to the story. It was my dad's only 2nd live match watching the Swans & first win (previous was 1976 at Lakeside Oval v Melbourne). He was too nervous to watch them play live, even on TV, but I managed to talk him into flying up for this as my Father's Day treat.

My dad wore a pacemaker and when the game became very tight in the last quarter, I could see him tensing up a lot & I became concerned with his health (why couldn't we just coast to victory and Plugger was a late out before the game which didn't help).

With the scores level with a minute to go, Cresser takes a crucial pack mark in front of goal. 40 thousand fans stood up & roared as the ball sailed through the middle, except for my dad. He was the only one in his seat and looked up at me nervously asking if Cresser had kicked it? I just pointed to the raucous crowd and the Swans fans around us noticed this, who began cheering with him.

When the final siren rang my dad was very jubilant (and as much relieved), who hugged those same Swans supporters as well as myself. We walked all the way back to our CBD hotel singing the club song repeatedly. I remember us stopping at a nearby open bar run by former Swan Darren McAsey, sharing a celebratory drink with other happy Swans fans.

The next day we visited the Sydney Opera house (my dad was also a opera buff) and took photo of him with the harbour bridge in the backdrop, wearing his beloved South Melbourne scarf and giving the "V" for victory sign. I still shed a tear whenever that game is shown on Fox Footy. I can't believe the bias Hawthorn call from Don Scott, with Sandy Roberts reminding him there are two teams out there at one stage.

Don't think dad would've survived if we attended the following famous PF v Essendon!

[Blood Fever]

Great story! That game was one of a number of heart stopping finals we've been involved in.

[Sandridge]

Barrack for Essendon due to another family connection. Swans are their second team. Learnt to live with it! No big drama. The real cementing of Melbourne based Swans support came with the appointment of Paul Roos I reckon. If they had started barracking in this era instead of ten years earlier, they have been Bloods for sure. One of those things,

My sister's two sons followed their Dad and became Essendon supporters, too, but my sister succeeded in getting her daughter to be a Blood!

[Sandridge]

Thankyou Sandrdge. If I may add to the story. It was my dad's only 2nd live match watching the Swans & first win (previous was 1976 at Lakeside Oval v Melbourne). He was too nervous to watch them play live, even on TV, but I managed to talk him into flying up for this as my Father's Day treat.

My dad wore a pacemaker and when the game became very tight in the last quarter, I could see him tensing up a lot & I became concerned with his health (why couldn't we just coast to victory and Plugger was a late out before the game which didn't help).

With the scores level with a minute to go, Cresser takes a crucial pack mark in front of goal. 40 thousand fans stood up & roared as the ball sailed through the middle, except for my dad. He was the only one in his seat and looked up at me nervously asking if Cresser had kicked it? I just pointed to the raucous crowd and the Swans fans around us noticed this, who began cheering with him.

When the final siren rang my dad was very jubilant (and as much relieved), who hugged those same Swans supporters as well as myself. We walked all the way back to our CBD hotel singing the club song repeatedly. I remember us stopping at a nearby open bar run by former Swan Darren McAsey, sharing a celebratory drink with other happy Swans fans.

The next day we visited the Sydney Opera house (my dad was also a opera buff) and took photo of him with the harbour bridge in the backdrop, wearing his beloved South Melbourne scarf and giving the "V" for victory sign. I still shed a tear whenever that game is shown on Fox Footy. I can't believe the bias Hawthorn call from Don Scott, with Sandy Roberts reminding him there are two teams out there at one stage.

Don't think dad would've survived if we attended the following famous PF v Essendon!

This is a wonderful story, KSAS - no wonder that game is such a special memory for you. Your story really resonates with me as my passion for the Bloods is because of my Dad, too.

I'll never forget Cressa's mark and goal. Daryn Cresswell is one of my all time favourite Swans. He could always be relied on to produce when it mattered the most.

[Blood Fever]

My sister's two sons followed their Dad and became Essendon supporters, too, but my sister succeeded in getting her daughter to be a Blood!

There's a lot of 'mixed marriages'!

[KSAS]

This is a wonderful story, KSAS - no wonder that game is such a special memory for you. Your story really resonates with me as my passion for the Bloods is because of my Dad, too.

I'll never forget Cressa's mark and goal. Daryn Cresswell is one of my all time favourite Swans. He could always be relied on to produce when it mattered the most.

Your spot on about Cresswell, Sandridge. I recall him kicking after the siren winner against North, as well as kicking clutch goals late in games as you have pointed out. Underrated player imo, who was also a strong mark for his size, similar to Luke Parker. Never forget image of him knocking his loose knee cap back into place against Geelong and playing on like nothing had happened!

[Blood Fever]

Your spot on about Cresswell, Sandridge. I recall him kicking after the siren winner against North, as well as kicking clutch goals late in games as you have pointed out. Underrated player imo, who was also a strong mark for his size, similar to Luke Parker. Never forget image of him knocking his loose knee cap back into place against Geelong and playing on like nothing had happened!

Great player for us. Retired after 2003 season IIRC after playing really well in the finals, especially that epic qualifying final against Port Adelaide. Would have been great to see him in our 2005 premiership team.

[Nico]

Your spot on about Cresswell, Sandridge. I recall him kicking after the siren winner against North, as well as kicking clutch goals late in games as you have pointed out. Underrated player imo, who was also a strong mark for his size, similar to Luke Parker. Never forget image of him knocking his loose knee cap back into place against Geelong and playing on like nothing had happened!

I'm not sure that he came back on that day. I was there and he was carried off on a stretcher. On Wikipedia and another site it says that remarkably he played again the next week. One memory I have of Cressa, and I stand corrected, but in that infamous last game that Eade coached where we drew with St Kilda, it was Cressa who burst from the centre and kicked a goal that put us in front only for St Kilda to kick a point to draw the game. At the time it was described as the worst game played in modern times.