Balmain Leagues Club

[cochise]

I for one can certainly understand Wests Magpies supporters, of which I have been one since 1963, being upset/let down by the JV finally coming together fully apparently.

Honestly that is a terrible attitude!

 

[cochise]

@MAGPIES1963 Mate simply looking at https://westsashfield.com.au/ would have shown you that your post was misinformed and rubbish!


 

[TrueTiger]

Don't worry Wests fans felt exactly the same as regarding the Dogs..It was seen more as a takeover by them much like the Dragons took over Illawarra and Manly devoured Norths...

It terms of an actual JV Wests and Balmain made sense...it really has been a successful marriage ...now we just need to get it right on the field..

I would just like to say that a far as the Magpie not being seen to some as being forshadowed,it ultimately is for all to see in the name WESTSTIGERS...everyone associated with both foundation club knows fully well when you mention WESTS the magpie is the first logo to come to mind always was always will be to us older supporters of either foundation club..
This is why it is so important to educate the much younger generations to understand the MARRIAGE of both the foundation clubs is what has given them/us a magnificent club to be part of..As for the small minority of dejected fans who want to protest...sometimes the realisation of change is hard to bear...If you want some substance to the argument,I was at Campo the other night when we beat the Knights,I met some very nice people whom I had dinner and drinks with..they were wearing the old original VICTA Western Suburbs Magpies jersey and I was wearing my Meriton Wests Tigers jumper,we were truly united in supporting the WTs as one,their love for the team was apparent and so was mine.
Even a couple of young ladies who were Knights supporters and travelled down to watch said how nice the club was especially with the supporters wearing their favourite colours.
The moral of my story is get onboard as one or find another team to following..the old arguments in this day and age are fading at a rate of knots...:v:

 

[TCL]

I’m from the Balmain side of the merger however, I am now a Wests Tigers member and supporter. I have made my peace with where and how the Balmain side now sits within the clubs landscape.

It would be great for Wests Ashfield to take on the Balmain site and finally facilitate the return of a club with our logo on it to the area.

I don’t know why anyone would be concerned about the logo being changed. The tiger is one of the most coveted emblems in sport. Doubt the nrl would agree to a logo change anyway.

If the NRL did agree to it I’m confident they would do so on the proviso that they take the emblem and use it for a new franchise.

 

[TCL]

@cochise yep they use that emblem with the west’s stripes under the tiger above the entrance however, at street level it is only the magpie.

Their right to do so if they choose, but I can understand why some on the Balmain side would have concerns.

 

[diedpretty]

@Cultured_Bogan Don’t you believe it there are die hard Magpie supporters agitating as we speak , I know because I know a few of them .
I give them there dues but that ship has sailed long ago.

I have seen a few over the top posts from diehard ex balmain on here but apparently that's ok.

 

[Krammy]

vote yes,

You can stick your head and pride in the sand, but the reality is we are WESTS Tigers now - have been for 20 years. I am an old Balmain fan, but my team now is Wests Tigers. A Wests Tigers leagues club is the only sensible resolution.

 

[matchball]

What's more marketable? A Tiger or a Magpie?
Tigers are in every team sport across the planet. It ranks 3rd worldwide as most used.
An Asian, an Indian or anyone from any corner of the globe knows what a Tiger is, a Magpie not so much.
It will never be magpies again, get over the nonsense.

I was a Balmain boy and couldn't care less who owns what.
We are all in a better place than pre West Tigers.
Magpies were gone and Tigers wouldn't have lasted a few seasons alone before they went belly up.

We all won when we merged.

 

[diedpretty]

People on here continually misunderstand what ex magpie supporters are on about. It is a very very small minority that want the tiger replaced by the magpie. The majority of ex magpie supporters have accepted the JV. The gripe is the lack of recognition that Wests are part of the JV. Still after 20 years we have some in the media still calling the team balmain. The colours are always referred to as black and orange. Leichhardt is always referred to as the spiritual home. There are a few on this forum who continually put the boot in to ex magpie supporters wearing there Victa jerseys to games but waft on about how great it is to see Phillip's jerseys on the hill. When someone tries to point out these things they are called a dinosaur or as tiger boy posted " sucked in". Such a derogatory and inflammatory remark allowed to go unchecked. Snake posts that he has friends who will vote against the proposal and everyone runs around crying that the sky is falling.
People on here keep saying it's all about Wests Tigers and so it should be. But if you really believe that start calling out those who perpetuate that it's really just Balmain.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

What's more marketable? A Tiger or a Magpie?
Tigers are in every team sport across the planet. It ranks 3rd worldwide as most used.
An Asian, an Indian or anyone from any corner of the globe knows what a Tiger is, a Magpie not so much.
It will never be magpies again, get over the nonsense.

I was a Balmain boy and couldn't care less who owns what.
We are all in a better place than pre West Tigers.
Magpies were gone and Tigers wouldn't have lasted a few seasons alone before they went belly up.

We all won when we merged.

Without getting into a Wests v Balmain debate, perhaps the most marketable sports team in this country is Collingwood. I’ll let you fill in the rest.

And ftr, no one in this thread has claimed it should go back to the Magpies. Stop jumping at shadows.

 

[TrueTiger]

People on here continually misunderstand what ex magpie supporters are on about. It is a very very small minority that want the tiger replaced by the magpie. The majority of ex magpie supporters have accepted the JV. The gripe is the lack of recognition that Wests are part of the JV. Still after 20 years we have some in the media still calling the team balmain. The colours are always referred to as black and orange. Leichhardt is always referred to as the spiritual home. There are a few on this forum who continually put the boot in to ex magpie supporters wearing there Victa jerseys to games but waft on about how great it is to see Phillip's jerseys on the hill. When someone tries to point out these things they are called a dinosaur or as tiger boy posted " sucked in". Such a derogatory and inflammatory remark allowed to go unchecked. Snake posts that he has friends who will vote against the proposal and everyone runs around crying that the sky is falling.
People on here keep saying it's all about Wests Tigers and so it should be. But if you really believe that start calling out those who perpetuate that it's really just Balmain.

Refer to my above post re; favourite colours..understand your post dp and support you in the fact that I have a Balmain Tigers jersey signed by Wayne Pearce...I have it in the wardrobe and I am proud to have it,but when I go to games I wear my Meriton or Petro Chemical sponsored WESTS TIGERS jersey,and I love seeing the old Western Suburbs jumpers at games it makes me proud that we have a united club steeped in proud foundation history for all to see.

 

[BZN]

G'day @Tiger_Steve: Very often posts like mine bring out the best and worst in people.
I am happy to say I have bought out the best in you, with your call for respectful debate, thank you.
Tigerboy, on the other hand, is an example of the not understanding therefore disrespectful element.
jadtiger...re your " you are wrong to call people like me "Balmain supporters"...You were very quick to jump on the bandwagon in being defensive. If you feel I have called 'you' a Balmain supporter then it seems to me you are a Balmain supporter and you're trying to cover it up for some reason. There is absolutely no reason to not have pride in being a "Balmain supporter", as I have said I have been a proud "Magpies supporter" since 1963 and will continue to be until I literally fall off my perch in the tree out the back.
Now Cochise...you accused me of being a Magpie sympathiser and trouble maker rite from my very first post and you're accusing me of that again. You accuse me of writing rubbish. You say I have a "terrible attitude" and once again "your post was misinformed rubbish". It seems to me you have a very aggressive and therefore not understanding nature Cochise.
It certainly seems to me that you haven't bothered to read any of my posts over the past couple of months, otherwise you would have remembered I have been 'Very Pro West's Tigers'.
What I said about West's Ashfield after not having been there for many years, was simply obtained from a previous post, and I apologise for having read something into it that wasn't there, my mistake!
I've been strong enough to apologise for misinterpreting a post re West's Ashfield.
How about you? Are you strong enough to put your brain into gear before you put your mouth into action, and be more understanding of others feelings?

 

[Tiger_Steve]

As a 52 year old Balmain boy I have many fond memories of the Balmain days. But I also remember many poor days including bad performances and terrible crowds at Leichhardt. The merger was needed and was a success.
Leichhardt Oval will always be special to me and I love going there but I understand it’s not financially viable and I want WestsTigers to be financially strong.
I’m disappointed our reserve grade team is not WestsTigers but I’ve found myself watching all Magpies games with the same passion and enthusiasm as if they were representing WestsTigers. I’m my eyes they are.
Point is, it’s all about attitude. The Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies live on in WestsTigers. I support any move that strengthens our club.

 

[Telltails]

Wear the old jerseys loud and proud I say. One of our greatest assets is our history and our determination as battling clubs to keep hanging in there. I for one, would hate that to be ignored. You can't go forward by trying to ignore your past, and my understanding is when players join the club making them aware of the history is very much part of their orientation.
We need to stop being so sensitive about how fans choose to support the club and or if they have a connection with one ground or jersey more than the other, as long as they keep doing it we will be in a good position.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

Wear the old jerseys loud and proud I say. One of our greatest assets is our history and our determination as battling clubs to keep hanging in there. I for one, would hate that to be ignored. You can't go forward by trying to ignore your past, and my understanding is when players join the club making them aware of the history is very much part of their orientation.
We need to stop being so sensitive about how fans choose to support the club and or if they have a connection with one ground or jersey more than the other, as long as they keep doing it we will be in a good position.

I used to get annoyed at those that wore Magpies or Balmain jerseys as I saw it as not embracing the WestsTigers and therefore divisive. But I was wrong with this and what you just articulated is what I’ve come to believe and acknowledge

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

@hobbo1 YEah - Wheel Chairs at 50 paces!

 

[TrueTiger]

@hobbo1 YEah - Wheel Chairs at 50 paces!

manual or auto...Hobbo needs all the help he can get...

 

[cochise]

I am happy to say I have bought out the best in you, with your call for respectful debate, thank you.
Tigerboy, on the other hand, is an example of the not understanding therefore disrespectful element.
jadtiger...re your " you are wrong to call people like me "Balmain supporters"...You were very quick to jump on the bandwagon in being defensive. If you feel I have called 'you' a Balmain supporter then it seems to me you are a Balmain supporter and you're trying to cover it up for some reason. There is absolutely no reason to not have pride in being a "Balmain supporter", as I have said I have been a proud "Magpies supporter" since 1963 and will continue to be until I literally fall off my perch in the tree out the back.
Now Cochise...you accused me of being a Magpie sympathiser and trouble maker rite from my very first post and you're accusing me of that again. You accuse me of writing rubbish. You say I have a "terrible attitude" and once again "your post was misinformed rubbish". It seems to me you have a very aggressive and therefore not understanding nature Cochise.
It certainly seems to me that you haven't bothered to read any of my posts over the past couple of months, otherwise you would have remembered I have been 'Very Pro West's Tigers'.
What I said about West's Ashfield after not having been there for many years, was simply obtained from a previous post, and I apologise for having read something into it that wasn't there, my mistake!
I've been strong enough to apologise for misinterpreting a post re West's Ashfield.
How about you? Are you strong enough to put your brain into gear before you put your mouth into action, and be more understanding of others feelings?

I most definitely read your posts @MAGPIES1963 that is why I am happy to stand by what I wrote. If you honestly had your choice you would have the Magpies back. To me that is a terrible attitude, my 1st choice would be a strong Wests Tigers, I don't want Balmain back and I will speak strongly against anyone that supports people agitating for the breakup of my team, my passion. You have done this in your post. To speak of our foundation parents as victors and vanquished as if they were in a war against each other goes against what this club should be all about and highlights the agenda you hold.

I'll put this simply for you, we are one club, there are no victors or the vanquished because we are in this together. Anyone who states otherwise will have their motives questioned. Sorry if you find this aggressive but this is MY club and you are happy to sympathize with those who wish to destabilize it and tear it apart.

 

[jirskyr]

But I DO hope all you Balmain supporters realise how lucky you are, with the Tiger going ahead in perpetuity, while the Magpie is basically no more, having been relegated to the anonymity of the CC.

And you've got "Wests", I don't really see the difference. Plenty of pundits call us Wests as well as "the Tigers".

In fact if this merger goes ahead, and I hope it does, Balmain will have literally nothing enduring from the JV except for the emblem and the "gold" aka orange colour. We'll get 2 mantlepiece board spots, 1 of which is independent and I suppose they'll retain the "Balmain district" title for now.

But that's it. I am biased but I still believe the Tigers emblem is a very strong marketing item, hence why Parramatta were all gung-ho about becoming the Parra Tigers 20 years ago.

And on a personal note, I miss Balmain a lot. Yes we are the Tigers but I resonated very closely with Balmain, and when I was a kid everyone I knew referred to the team as "Balmain". And actually when the JV started, lots of commentators took a while to get over their "Balmain" habit. And I miss the old Balmain Tigers logo, the old-style roaring Tiger compared to the modernised WT Tiger we have.

So whilst I agree that I probably don't understand how the loss of the Magpie affects old supporters, you equally probably don't understand the loss of "Balmain" and any legitimate ties of power to our heritage. They probably balance each other out, except that Magpies hold all the power now. It is essentially a takeover of Balmain, which is an acceptable outcome after the trust built from 20 years of cooperation, but would have been unthinkable if this was 1999.

Don't ever forget that the demise of Balmain Leagues and thus JDRL is not just Balmain's own fault, it rests very heavily on the NSW Labor Government who pushed us out of our premises and then decided to cancel the Rozelle Metro.

 

[diedpretty]

@jirskyr " Plenty of pundits call us Wests as well as “the Tigers”." You could count the number of times that has happened in the last 20 years on one hand. Its either Tigers or Wests Tigers very rarely just Wests. But that is not really the point. You say Balmain are virtually left with nothing and in reality that is right but in the perception of other fans and a lot of the media its all Balmain. You have morons like Roach who continually call the team Balmain - and no one pulls him up. And he is not the only one who does it. And that's what upsets most ex magpie supporters. Its the same with the spiritual home ground rubbish. Leichhardt is not Wests Tigers spiritual home ground. We have so many home grounds how can one be a spiritual one. It was Balmains spiritual home ground - and yet this rubbish keeps getting trotted out every time we play there.

I don't really care if the magpie is on the jersey or not, We are Wests Tigers and its a great brand. This whole proposal is about strengthening that brand and also as a business decision by WA to increase their assets. But to make this a great brand this bs of a rebadged Balmain has to stop - and I will continually call people out on it.