Connection/attachment to the club

[cochise]

I was involved in a conversation today regarding relocation and stated that if the team was relocated that it would probably be the end for me as an NRL supporter as I would lose my connection/ attachment to the club. The person I was speaking with rightly raised what is my connection to the club as I never lived in any of the catchment areas that make up this club. It got me thinking about why I am connected to this club in such a strong way and I would be interested in hearing about other people's connections as well.


For me it started when I was 4 years old, I grew up in country NSW and my father played for the local team, the Aberdeen Tigers. I remember going home and seeing the Balmain Tigers play on TV and thinking that they were the same team my father played for because of the same jerseys.


That bond was strengthen when I started playing for the Aberdeen Tigers as a 6 year old, always wanted the 8 jersey because that was what Wayne Pearce played in. The 88 and 89 sides came and went and that again strengthened that connection. The 90's were tough and thought about changing teams like my brothers did but just could never bring myself to do it. I moved to Sydney in 1998 and started to semi regularly attend games


The end in 1999 hurt so much and I swore to myself that footy was dead to me. My then GF, now wife, knew how much footy meant to me and for Christmas in 1999 bought me season tickets to Wests Tigers 1st season and that brought me home again.

Now why do I have such an attachment to the location of a team that I never lived within the boundaries of?

For me it goes back to when I was a kid living in a small town with that true sense of community, I knew the whole town, I knew the local footy heroes and that is what this club now does for me I go to the games and I see people I have sat near for 20 years, seen them get older, lots now have kids and have started bringing their kids to games. I feel a part of the club, I feel like a part of the club, Benji and Robbie for example, I have known them since they were kids, not personally but as representatives of our club. I funny example is back in January I saw Robbie randomly in Bondi, I had no Tigers gear on but he saw me and come over and said hello and chatted about the preseason for a minute or 2. He doesn't really know me but has seen me enough at team events over the years to know that I am a Tigers supporter. That is the connection I want and need with my club and it goes back to as a kid knowing all the local footballers in town. That is why I feel about this team the way I do!

 

[TheDaBoss]

I was involved in a conversation today regarding relocation and stated that if the team was relocated that it would probably be the end for me as an NRL supporter as I would lose my connection/ attachment to the club. The person I was speaking with rightly raised what is my connection to the club as I never lived in any of the catchment areas that make up this club. It got me thinking about why I am connected to this club in such a strong way and I would be interested in hearing about other people's connections as well.


For me it started when I was 4 years old, I grew up in country NSW and my father played for the local team, the Aberdeen Tigers. I remember going home and seeing the Balmain Tigers play on TV and thinking that they were the same team my father played for because of the same jerseys.


That bond was strengthen when I started playing for the Aberdeen Tigers as a 6 year old, always wanted the 8 jersey because that was what Wayne Pearce played in. The 88 and 89 sides came and went and that again strengthened that connection. The 90's were tough and thought about changing teams like my brothers did but just could never bring myself to do it. I moved to Sydney in 1998 and started to semi regularly attend games


The end in 1999 hurt so much and I swore to myself that footy was dead to me. My then GF, now wife, knew how much footy meant to me and for Christmas in 1999 bought me season tickets to Wests Tigers 1st season and that brought me home again.

Now why do I have such an attachment to the location of a team that I never lived within the boundaries of?

For me it goes back to when I was a kid living in a small town with that true sense of community, I knew the whole town, I knew the local footy heroes and that is what this club now does for me I go to the games and I see people I have sat near for 20 years, seen them get older, lots now have kids and have started bringing their kids to games. I feel a part of the club, I feel like a part of the club, Benji and Robbie for example, I have known them since they were kids, not personally but as representatives of our club. I funny example is back in January I saw Robbie randomly in Bondi, I had no Tigers gear on but he saw me and come over and said hello and chatted about the preseason for a minute or 2. He doesn't really know me but has seen me enough at team events over the years to know that I am a Tigers supporter. That is the connection I want and need with my club and it goes back to as a kid knowing all the local footballers in town. That is why I feel about this team the way I do!

quality post m8


if tigers were to be relocated....idk....i think i would still support and follow NRL.... i think even if i tried to pull myself out of it, i would still be pulled back in by one thing or another..... hopefully the NRL lifts itself out of the muck it is atm and becomes better...

 

[Geo]

Every other team sucks

 

[WT2K]

Born and raised in Balmain. Tigers are in my blood. Remember running up after my own game at Blackmore Oval in Leichhardt as a young kid to watch the tigers play.

Then came the merger. Didn't bother me when it happened. Was there for our first game at Campelltown.

If we were relocated it would definitely hurt but I'd still be watching and supporting. Love the game and love the Wests Tigers.

 

[NT_Tiger]

As a kid I lived in Canberra and never knew much about the game until a mate introduced me to it in my teens. One afternoon he insisted I watch a game with him. He and his brother were mad keen Eels supporters and on that day the Eels were playing the Balmain Tigers.
Just to be a pain in the arse I decided to go for the Tigers and thus it was born. I think Balmain lost but that didn't matter. I really liked the game and stuck with Balmain/Wests Tigers ever since.

 

[newtiger]

@cochise
Very similar situation as you, I went to watch the local footy Dad's team played Lithgow Workman club.
They were wearing the old Balmain jersey, I told my dad that I liked the colours and that was it never waivered.
Dad was a staunch Souths supporter so he wasn't very impressed that I followed the Tigers.

 

[Masterton]

Magpies had the coolest guernseys and the wooden spoon. Who doesn't love an underdog?

 

[TillLindemann]

I'm also from the country. Followed them from birth, because my Dad did. Despite not being from Sydney, I'd be heartbroken if they were relocated. They would feel like a fake club.

 

[AL The Tiger]

Grew up idolising Benji Marshall. I was 5 when he did what he did in the GF. Never looked back.

 

[rustycage]

Loved Percy Knight and Larry Corowa as a kid. Im only human.

 

[TCL]

Grew up in Ryde, rode my bike or caught a bus to LO as a boy. Have been hooked on the tigers ever since.

 

[tigertye]

My uncles used to tell my mum they wanted to give her a break and take me out for the day. They’d take me to Leichhardt to watch Balmain and use me like a magnet to attempt to pull chicks. Don’t think that trick ever worked and I’ve been going with them for the past 28 years.

They still laugh about when they forgot to put the brakes on the pram and I started rolling down the hill.

 

[BZN]

G'day @cochise: very well said mate...good post.
I grew up in the Sydney suburb of Croydon within walking distance of Pratten Park.
I was in my 3rd and last year at Ashfield Boys High ...next to West's Leagues Club... in 1962 and I have a faint recollection of hearing the GF on the radio...probably 2SM...and feeling very sad that the Magpies had lost...again as it turned out.
I started following League in 1963 and went to quite a few of West's games including the iconic GF...and feeling even sadder this time as they lost...AGAIN!!!
damn it!!!

 

[jirskyr]

Long line of Lilyfield-based family, all the way back to 1908, so it's in the blood. Started to properly watch footy in the 80s though I knew about it before then through my Dad, I just wasn't old enough to really understand what I was seeing until about 1986; 1987 Grand Final is the first match I properly remember watching.

I don't know if they relocated, I suppose I'd still follow them because I like watching footy on TV. Would be a shame to miss out on attending matches however if they were interstate, because it's nice to mix up live membership and televised games over the season.

 

[WT2019]

My grandfather was a tigers tragic , a dentist with a practice in Gladesville on Victoria Rd. Was 5 years old when he took me to Leichardt oval in 1960. At 14 we went to the 1969 grand final. He was speechless for a week . From then on every home game mum and dad (Jean and Red) and us 4 boys were there . As time passed so did our kids and Our kids are now doing the same. Jean and Red’s ashes were spread on the oval. My will says mine we will be there too

 

[beachtiger]

Originally from Darwin and Tigers played a game up there when I was really young which I went to and loved them since. Moved to Sydney many years later and was lucky enough to work for the club, absolute dream come true to be honest!!

Whilst I understand those who grew up in the catchment areas of our two great merged clubs would struggle to continue following them if they relocated it wouldn’t effect me too much, I’d follow them anywhere.

 

[tiger05premier]

Grew up in and still live in Newcastle

Have an uncle who has lived in Leichhardt since 72 and loves Balmain and now Wests Tigers

He 1st took me to a game at LO in 82 against Newtown

I already followed the tigers because of my uncle and that day at LO just locked it into my blood forever

My Nan also lived with us and always listened to the tigers on the radio so anytime the tigers were playing Nan and I would be sitting around the radio in Newcastle listening to it

I have been going to LO ever since and other grounds to watch the tigers

I have 3 sons now that love the tigers and all live in Newcastle

A 10yo that obviously lives at home anda 21yo and 23yo that have moved out

My 2 older boys brought tickets to this weekend's game last week so will be there cheering the boys on

So happy when they told me they were going as it shows how much they really love the tigers as sometimes I wondered if they loved them as much as I do

 

[OzLuke]

I grew up and my first bit of kit was a newtown jets t shirt that dad got me......

newtown folded and then I became a tiger because that was who mum followed. she taught me all about the Tigers, who the players were etc....

It is a bond I have with my family and great memories growing up, and now i have it with my boys.

If Tigers relocated I would probably just give it away because while I have spent so much time loving the club, I've spent the same amount of time creating my own book of feuds and fuelling the hate towards other clubs, so I doubt that I could pick up with another one.

 

[Goldust]

Love some of these stories 🙂

My father had a Tiger tattoo haha no word of a lie so that’s why i started to support them around 1998.He himself didn’t care for footy
My best memories from my youth are watching Tigers games,in particular Benji and Prince.
The year we won the comp, Benji and Elford came to my local footy club with the trophy and being panther country I was one of the few there.They spent a hour passing the footy, and giving me tips also let me hold the trophy.
Been a member ever since I had my own income.
My wife doesn’t watch sports,but I take our almost one year old daughter to every game I go to.hopefully she grows to love this club as much as i do 🙂

 

[BirchgroveTigers]

Grew up in Balmain - was 7 when Wests Tigers played their first game. Would be devastated if the club moved and although I'm sure I'd still somewhat follow rugby league, I couldn't see myself ever going to a game, being a member etc etc

To me, the tigers bring together the community and that's the main reason I love them as much as I do. If they move, that's gone and with it more than 100 years of history too. Played soccer and cricket as a kid and still remember every end of season function at the leagues club (same with my sis who played netball), every club in the area played under the tigers logo. Would be devastated if that was lost.