Connection/attachment to the club

[old_man_tiger]

This is an old thread where the messages were sent to the team prior to the Raiders semi in 2010, stirring stuff...

https://weststigersforum.com/topic/4746/messages-of-support

 

[NT_Tiger]

@jirskyr
"standard Canberra weather" is why I now live in the tropics of FNQ.

 

[StarswithStripes]

I’m diggin’ all these stories. Some real insights in there about who we are. It shows what unites us as fans and provides a break from some of the things that divide us. Thanks for getting the thread going @cochise

 

[GNR4LIFE]

My attachment took a bit of a hit around the time Woods/Tedesco/Moses left. It wasn’t that they left, but the fact it was drawn out so long. I remember when Tedesco was virtually out the door, a story broke about him reneging and staying. Then it came out that was a load of crap, and I just packed it in. Not intententionally, apathy just kicked in and I lost interest, Which depressed me, cos I never wanna feel detached from this club. I love it and have loved it since I was 13. I’m not going to let a few grubs who dragged it through the mud for ages change that and make me walk away. God I hope Sharon’s face gets rubbed so deep into the Leichhardt dirt on Sunday that he’s defecting 2040 the entire off season.

 

[4jtigers]

arrived in Oz when I was 15 and I know nothing about footy - lived in Annandale and went to Balmain High - the rest is history - supported the team thru thick and thin... the merge didn't bother me - it is still the Tigers or WT for me and the family... so WT till I die 🙂

 

[Mac]

I grew up in central west NSW in a town that was in Group 14 and in those days they had the Balmain colours. So from the day I understood what rugby league was I was a Tigers supporter.

My best mate and I in our last year at primary school in 1969 had bets with the teachers on the GF result. We were silly to take even money and the teachers thought they'd teach us a lesson and take our money. Happily the joke was on them!

From our winnings on the GF we had enough to start a book at school on that year's Melbourne Cup (our parents always reckoned we learnt to read from a form guide). The teachers turned a blind eye and a few even had bets with us. Our book was virtually balanced - there was only one losing result - Rain Lover.

We'd thought we were pretty safe though because the last time a horse had won back to back MC's was Archer in the 2nd ever MC in 1862 and Rain Lover was carrying more than 60kg. Several girls had backed Rain Lover and sure enough cleaned us out.

I went to the 88 and 89 GF's. Hanley being poleaxed, Benny hitting the black dot with the FG attempt, Blocker and Sironen not able to come back on after being subbed etc, etc. I couldn't believe how quickly the Raiders got their Championship tee-shirts printed so quickly after the game!

I lived in Melboune from 87 'til 2001 and the only way in the first few years to see NRL games live on TV was to drive up the Hume to Wagga Wagga (about 6 hrs) which I did plenty of times.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble but I now barrack for the Tigers in any sport I take an interest in. Only having to buy one scarf has its advantages.

 

[oldprop]

My grandma took me to a game when I was 12 (1962). She said you’ll like this. Always sat on the hill. Used to look at the grandstand and think how special it would be to sit there. Now I’m there I look at the hill and remember the special times.

 

[Tim Sheens]

I am from the country and had no district ties to a Sydney club.
My dad is a Canterbury supporter, my mum and sister Balmain supporters.
My parents never pressured me to support any team, but I took a liking to Tom Raudonikis.
So I became a West’s supporter, I did go to Leichhardt oval a few times over the years to watch Balmain v Wests.
I used to catch the train from Lithgow to Auburn to watch West’s play at Lidcombe oval, train never stopped at Lidcombe.
So the merger for me wasn’t too bad, it brought my mum, sister and myself to support the same team.
I never pressured my 2 girls in to following the Wests Tigers, just like my parents didn’t pressure me. So I have one Tiger and one Rooster supporter kids now.

Did you ever catch Laurie Nicholls on the train?

 

[Harvey]

I grew up in central west NSW in a town that was in Group 14 and in those days they had the Balmain colours. So from the day I understood what rugby league was I was a Tigers supporter.

My best mate and I in our last year at primary school in 1969 had bets with the teachers on the GF result. We were silly to take even money and the teachers thought they'd teach us a lesson and take our money. Happily the joke was on them!

From our winnings on the GF we had enough to start a book at school on that year's Melbourne Cup (our parents always reckoned we learnt to read from a form guide). The teachers turned a blind eye and a few even had bets with us. Our book was virtually balanced - there was only one losing result - Rain Lover.

We'd thought we were pretty safe though because the last time a horse had won back to back MC's was Archer in the 2nd ever MC in 1862 and Rain Lover was carrying more than 60kg. Several girls had backed Rain Lover and sure enough cleaned us out.

I went to the 88 and 89 GF's. Hanley being poleaxed, Benny hitting the black dot with the FG attempt, Blocker and Sironen not able to come back on after being subbed etc, etc. I couldn't believe how quickly the Raiders got their Championship tee-shirts printed so quickly after the game!

I lived in Melboune from 87 'til 2001 and the only way in the first few years to see NRL games live on TV was to drive up the Hume to Wagga Wagga (about 6 hrs) which I did plenty of times.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble but I now barrack for the Tigers in any sport I take an interest in. Only having to buy one scarf has its advantages.

Those “premiers” t shirts are hilarious. I remember working in the merchandise stall at anz for one of the broncos/dragons grand finals. I pinched half a dozen St George premiers shirts for my mates that supported them. They didn’t see the funny side.

 

[Harvey]

Grew up in Campbelltown and supported the magpies from the day they announced they were moving there.

As a kid was a season ticket holder for years and remember plenty of lean years, but also when Warren Ryan came on board and we raided The Canterbury talent. Eventually most moved on to greener pastures and only Langmack was left clinging on like a dag on a sheep.

Played juniors with the McGuinness brothers and Skando and loved watching them come through. Cherry Mescia was probably one of my all time favourite players.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Grew up in Campbelltown and supported the magpies from the day they announced they were moving there.

As a kid was a season ticket holder for years and remember plenty of lean years, but also when Warren Ryan came on board and we raided The Canterbury talent. Eventually most moved on to greener pastures and only Langmack was left clinging on like a dag on a sheep.

Played juniors with the McGuinness brothers and Skando and loved watching them come through. Cherry Mescia was probably one of my all time favourite players.

Mine too. He was hard as nails. Retired at 28 due to a neck injury

 

[Tiger_Bond]

I’ve lived in Campsie since I was 2 years old, by right I should have been a Bulldogs fan but I couldn’t stand the Dogs. My uncles always tried to push me to be a Dragons fan and couldn’t stand them either.

As a 6 year old in the mid 80’s when my late father took us to grandma’s house for a family BBQ, she lived one street away from Belmore Sports Ground and I could hear the fans in the background. I pestered dad to take me and my 3 siblings at the time to that game. He eventually gave in and took us.

The Bulldogs were playing Balmain Tigers and my love for them was born that day. Back than if some remember, fans were allowed to run on the field after the game and that was when I briefly met some of the Tigers players.

Oh yeah the Tigers won that day 🙂

 

[fair dinkum]

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!

"Moved to Sydney in 1998"

Damn, missed the Aberdeen 2001 winning grand final team.

Up the Merriwa Magpies!!!

 

[Tiger Tarl]

Although I now live in beautiful Darwin, I was born in Liverpool. My dad was a Wests boy (think he even played for Magpies reserves back in the early 80s) and my mum was raised in Balmain. I supported the tigers as a kid cause I loved the animal and Benny Elias. My brother supported the Magpies because dad did. I remember crying after the 1988 GF thinking it was unfair and that we were robbed (i was only a kid).
When the merger happened it actually united our family. We could all now single-midedly barrack for the great Wests Tigers. Two foundation clubs and a family united. Possibly saved my folks marriage.

 

[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!

"Moved to Sydney in 1998"

Damn, missed the Aberdeen 2001 winning grand final team.

Up the Merriwa Magpies!!!

I don't miss any Aberdeen winning teams, driving back to Sydney now after attending the group 21 grand final, Aberdeen lost all 3 grades today including reserve grade to those Merriwa Magpies!

 

[WT2019]

@oldprop
went to the 88 and 89 GF’s. Hanley being poleaxed, Benny hitting the black dot with the FG attempt

Yeah.. was living in Ballina at that Time.. can never forgive Lamb for what he did and got away with in 88.. 89 most depressing day of my life .. and always will be

 

[Spartan117]

My story is different.

I grew up in a rather large extended family of Dragons in the Cbury area.

I could not do either...

I discovered the Tigers in the run into the late 80s and was hooked....

I have a somewhat addictive streak in me so they got a tigers evangelist here. Now I'm breading Tigers fans who don't really care about the game itself. ( overall problem with the game). Up to 5.

We love the tigers soooo much.

They need to win today for the next generation.

 

[innsaneink]

Grew up in Ashfield across from Wests leagues, went to school. Ashfield boys nest to the club, wore old Magpies jumpers for school footy... Was a Wests junior played for Holman jnrs....Yappy presented me my only ever trophy.
You supported your local team back then.
The Fibros of the late 70s appealed to me as well... Other teams hated going to Lidcombe 😅 it was very very violent and entertaining

 

[cqtiger]

I was born in a northern suburb of Wollongong called Woonona but my old man was born in Balmain. He used to take mum and I to every Balmain game, home and away, when I was a young boy. That was when there were only 12 Sydney teams.

I had a soft spot for the Steelers when they came into the comp (my second team) until St George took them over.

Wifey and I moved to Rockhampton 36 years ago and have 4 adult sons and they are all Tigers fans.

Back in 1999 my boys asked me if I would support the proposed merger with Parramatta and I told them I wouldn’t which shocked them. Then at the last minute the Tigers and Western Suburbs agreed to form a JV. My boys asked me about this and I told them I was all for it. I told them Parra was a take-over but this was a partnership between 2 similar clubs.

I’m going to put a few bob on the Tigers today.

 

[magpie_mick]

I am in my mid 50s ,grew up in Lidcombe and along with all my mates we supported Wests and went to many games at Lidcombe Oval. travelled to Campbelltown when they moved there.
Supported the merge and my kids who are now in their 20s became Wests Tigers fans. We will all be at Leichhart Oval today , including my 5 year old grandson and me daughter's husband who hasn't been to a game for years. Win , lose or draw it's great to share a day at the footy. It is still a way I keep in touch and catch up with childhood mates and remember some who are sadly no longer with us.