Good Old Days..

[eyewondertwo]

I wasn't a saints supporter but tagged along with my older brother to the 1965 grand final.it was promoted as norm provan's last game and whether saints could continue their premiership winning reign.
we caught the train in from Wentworthville and got off at central station.As youngsters we decided to walk the uphill journey up eddie avenue- im sure other forumers have completed this walk.as well.We dodged the green double decker buses as the queues were too long.
As there was no television coverage in those days,everyone went to the ground.Eventually getting inside the crowds swelled and it was shoulder to shoulder stuff.We were pushed to the front and police lifted us over the fence and sat on the grass in the Sheridan hill corner.Billy smith scored a try in front of us that I remember and Kevin Longbottom kept souths in the game by kicking goals from half way.
People sat on the roofs of grandstands to watch the game.How did they get onto the roof?Bobby fulton was one to these spectators.
As kids do, at the end of the game,we could run onto the field and mix it with reg gasnier and changa langlands.
how we got home is anybody's guess but those memories are unforgettable.
this game was before health and safety regulations and of course social distancing.
it was indeed a different time.

the good old days also meant getting to the ground at 12.00 and watching your team play in three grades.Buy a program and a double and get a good spot on the hill.You could spot blokes that you thought could make it to first grade and those who weren't going to make it. if you could access transport,you could watch you team everyweek as it was a Sydney based competition.Ironically,that's what it may revert to.
Everything has to change of course ,but these were the good old days to me.

 

[Geo]

Yes listening on the wireless..At one point I would Cry and throw a massive tanty if Wests lost..that was until the day i was so upset I threw Dads transistor and smashed it..which led to 'come here son and I'll give you something to cry about'..

 

[happy_tiger]

Yes listening on the wireless..At one point I would Cry and throw a massive tanty if Wests lost..that was until the day i was so upset I threw Dads transistor and smashed it..which led to 'come here son and I'll give you something to cry about'..

1999 was a tough year for all of us Geo

 

[Geo]

Yes listening on the wireless..At one point I would Cry and throw a massive tanty if Wests lost..that was until the day i was so upset I threw Dads transistor and smashed it..which led to 'come here son and I'll give you something to cry about'..

1999 was a tough year for all of us Geo

Was thinking about those last years of Wests too..yes we got hammered most weeks in the end but the diehards would still rock up most weeks in the hope of a miracle win

I remember a game against Souff's early in 98 or 99 and we put 40 on them..thought here we go..Hodgo scored a couple of tries Leeds was FB and Langmack captain...don't think we won too many more...

 

[Peter_B]

The NRL being on hiatus started me thinking about the good old days especially with the threads popping up about past players and such bringing up a lot of memories about the past..I think RL is still fantastic the skill and athleticism of the modern day player is unbelievable but the game is somewhat robotic now..

My love of Rugby League started in the early 70's..I played for the mighty Berala Bears which at the time were part of the Western Suburbs Junior League so you got a pass just like today and began going to games ..

Growing up in the height of the Fibro era ingrained in me the hatred of all other Clubs esp Manly that I still carry today it was Wests against the rest...Lidcombe Oval became a fortress..I was there the day Wests played Souff's with so many people streaming in they allowed kids onto the bike track to watch the game..as well as the day Wests fought Manly and a game of footy broke out eventually..

Then it got me thinking of what I miss about going to the footy back then..

First thing was charging onto the field to attempt to get the corner post at full time..got one once..but it ended up in a few pieces as everyone also tried the same thing..

Following on from that was kicking the footy around after the game with our mates emulating what your heroes had just done on the field that day sometimes ended in just as many fights all great fun..

Sliding down the back of the hill on cardboard you'd acquired from the back of the canteen ..fun times

All 3 Grades on a day where players who had played half a game in lowers and ended on the bench for 1st grade..The 'Mick Luibinskis Affair'..

The game itself..

Would have to be the attrition.. with the introduction of interchange it really took away an element I miss where when you did come off that's it you were off which made players stay on the field which led to a more open game..

Contested Scrums..yes they were a dogs breakfast but there was something about winning a scrum against the feed that brought excitement..

The actual speed of the game not in play but the game itself..if there was a scrum you got on with it and packed the scrum..a penalty same thing there was no stand around and have a committee meeting deciding what to do like they do today..

Anyway would be to get other forum members memories as well

How did you come to follow RL and in particular Wests Tigers..?

What do you miss about going to games..?

What are some of your memories of great games you have been too..?

What do you miss about the game itself..?

All I need to do is replace Berala Bears with Holman jnrs, and that's my story too

Me too - but with Enfield Federals.

 

[happy_tiger]

Yes listening on the wireless..At one point I would Cry and throw a massive tanty if Wests lost..that was until the day i was so upset I threw Dads transistor and smashed it..which led to 'come here son and I'll give you something to cry about'..

1999 was a tough year for all of us Geo

Was thinking about those last years of Wests too..yes we got hammered most weeks in the end but the diehards would still rock up most weeks in the hope of a miracle win

I remember a game against Souff's early in 98 or 99 and we put 40 on them..thought here we go..Hodgo scored a couple of tries Leeds was FB and Langmack captain...don't think we won too many more...

Wasn't our last win v Balmain .....enuff said

 

[happy_tiger]

Isn't it funny how you remember the small things

Remember a game for Easts Tigers when the clock stopped at Purtell Park ..remember Ron Raper (captain/coach ) taking a penalty shot to get us within two with the crowd hollering at him that there was only 2-3 minutes left when the clock said about 15 minutes ...something that could never happen in the modern game

 

[TheDaBoss]

Isn't it funny how you remember the small things

Remember a game for Easts Tigers when the clock stopped at Purtell Park ..remember Ron Raper (captain/coach ) taking a penalty shot to get us within two with the crowd hollering at him that there was only 2-3 minutes left when the clock said about 15 minutes ...something that could never happen in the modern game

https://www.youtube.com/embed/DY5wVLgg-Ok

 

[coivtny]

The NRL being on hiatus started me thinking about the good old days especially with the threads popping up about past players and such bringing up a lot of memories about the past..I think RL is still fantastic the skill and athleticism of the modern day player is unbelievable but the game is somewhat robotic now..

My love of Rugby League started in the early 70's..I played for the mighty Berala Bears which at the time were part of the Western Suburbs Junior League so you got a pass just like today and began going to games ..

Growing up in the height of the Fibro era ingrained in me the hatred of all other Clubs esp Manly that I still carry today it was Wests against the rest...Lidcombe Oval became a fortress..I was there the day Wests played Souff's with so many people streaming in they allowed kids onto the bike track to watch the game..as well as the day Wests fought Manly and a game of footy broke out eventually..

Then it got me thinking of what I miss about going to the footy back then..

First thing was charging onto the field to attempt to get the corner post at full time..got one once..but it ended up in a few pieces as everyone also tried the same thing..

Following on from that was kicking the footy around after the game with our mates emulating what your heroes had just done on the field that day sometimes ended in just as many fights all great fun..

Sliding down the back of the hill on cardboard you'd acquired from the back of the canteen ..fun times

All 3 Grades on a day where players who had played half a game in lowers and ended on the bench for 1st grade..The 'Mick Luibinskis Affair'..

The game itself..

Would have to be the attrition.. with the introduction of interchange it really took away an element I miss where when you did come off that's it you were off which made players stay on the field which led to a more open game..

Contested Scrums..yes they were a dogs breakfast but there was something about winning a scrum against the feed that brought excitement..

The actual speed of the game not in play but the game itself..if there was a scrum you got on with it and packed the scrum..a penalty same thing there was no stand around and have a committee meeting deciding what to do like they do today..

Anyway would be to get other forum members memories as well

How did you come to follow RL and in particular Wests Tigers..?

What do you miss about going to games..?

What are some of your memories of great games you have been too..?

What do you miss about the game itself..?

All I need to do is replace Berala Bears with Holman jnrs, and that's my story too

Me too - but with Enfield Federals.

And ditto for me but my junior club was Ashfield de la Salle. Never enjoyed playing against the Feds, they were always a hard side to beat. Concord United were the best team in our year with Feds and us about equal next best.
Loved going to Pratten Park to watch all three grades on a Saturday afternoon then running onto the field at full time to give Noel Kelly or Peter Dimond a pat on the back.

 

[jirskyr]

My dad was a mad South’s supporter having grown up in Zetland but he didn’t influence my brother and me, so being North Ryde boys and going to Holy Cross we fell into supporting our local district team which was Balmain.

I'll never understand how folks can support a side that is different from their Dad's. I had no choice, by the time I had any self-realisation I was already a Balmain supporter. It was like Star Wars - I don't remember watching Star Wars for the first time, it was just there, a part of my life, before I had the wherewithal to make any conscious decision myself.

I supported Balmain because my Dad did. He supported Balmain because his Dad did, and his dad. And Mum, if you were lucky enough, though my Mum didn't follow footy and my Grandma followed Easts.

I'll be cut if my son doesn't follow Tigers, but I'm pretty sure he's already locked in and I've been consistently lobbying him since the day he was born; he's only a young fellow, but they asked him at daycare to write his football team on the board and he wrote "Tigers". He thinks it's funny to tease me that he loves Bulldogs, but I can see it's not genuine. I mean, who seriously can support the Bulldogs? Even a 4 year old can see how ridiculous a concept that is.

I also offered - any kid in my extended family who wants a Tigers jersey or top, I'll buy it for them for free, straight away, no questions asked.

 

[happy_tiger]

My dad was a mad South’s supporter having grown up in Zetland but he didn’t influence my brother and me, so being North Ryde boys and going to Holy Cross we fell into supporting our local district team which was Balmain.

I'll never understand how folks can support a side that is different from their Dad's. I had no choice, by the time I had any self-realisation I was already a Balmain supporter. It was like Star Wars - I don't remember watching Star Wars for the first time, it was just there, a part of my life, before I had the wherewithal to make any conscious decision myself.

I supported Balmain because my Dad did. He supported Balmain because his Dad did, and his dad. And Mum, if you were lucky enough, though my Mum didn't follow footy and my Grandma followed Easts.

I'll be cut if my son doesn't follow Tigers, but I'm pretty sure he's already locked in and I've been consistently lobbying him since the day he was born; he's only a young fellow, but they asked him at daycare to write his football team on the board and he wrote "Tigers". He thinks it's funny to tease me that he loves Bulldogs, but I can see it's not genuine. I mean, who seriously can support the Bulldogs? Even a 4 year old can see how ridiculous a concept that is.

I also offered - any kid in my extended family who wants a Tigers jersey or top, I'll buy it for them for free, straight away, no questions asked.

Simple ....to spite the old bugger ....pre Broncos dad liked Parra ....now a Broncos fan ....he's a Man U fan .....

 

[Mr_Magpie]

@diedpretty said in [Good Old Days\.\.](/post/1139783): Saw France play at Lidcombe where Wests led the whole way only to lose in the last few minutes.
**Yep, I was out there that night too in the pouring rain. Remember the French winger kicking Mick Alchin up the bum. Alchin flattened him for it!** :grin:

 

[happy_tiger]

**Yep, I was out there that night too in the pouring rain. Remember the French winger kicking Mick Alchin up the bum. Alchin flattened him for it!** :grin:

Flattened him .....Welcome to Australia ...Lidcombe Lovetap ......Dallas and Boydie showed us what flattening someone was about

 

[gato]

I can't remember a time when i wasn't following wests first the magpies and then the tigers. My dad played lower grades for the magpies and when my parents split i moved with my mother to adelong and played for the adelong-batlow bears in the same team as ciriaco mescia's younger brother.

 

[WT2K]

Running out onto Parramatta Oval at HT to play, will be a memory I won't forget. I'm sure many on here would've kicked the ball around the hill at LO.

 

[TrueTiger]

I can't remember a time when i wasn't following wests first the magpies and then the tigers. My dad played lower grades for the magpies and when my parents split i moved with my mother to adelong and played for the adelong-batlow bears in the same team as ciriaco mescia's younger brother.

The move to Adelong would have been nice,its a great part of our country...adelong/batlow were in group 23 if I remember correctly in the 80s,I played in the group 9 comp,over the years the 2 groups combined I think and included Tumbarumba and some Albury teams as far as I can recall...
I was lucky enough to compete in an endurance ride(on horses not bikes)at Batlow and the mountain country is nothing short of spectacular as is Tumbarumba...Batlow produced great apples as well ...

 

[gato]

I can't remember a time when i wasn't following wests first the magpies and then the tigers. My dad played lower grades for the magpies and when my parents split i moved with my mother to adelong and played for the adelong-batlow bears in the same team as ciriaco mescia's younger brother.

The move to Adelong would have been nice,its a great part of our country...adelong/batlow were in group 23 if I remember correctly in the 80s,I played in the group 9 comp,over the years the 2 groups combined I think and included Tumbarumba and some Albury teams as far as I can recall...
I was lucky enough to compete in an endurance ride(on horses not bikes)at Batlow and the mountain country is nothing short of spectacular as is Tumbarumba...Batlow produced great apples as well ...

Yeah loved there and your right just as i moved there the 2 groups combined. A lot of good footballers came through the group 9 comp. Got to play against les boyd that was terrifying for me at 17 but I had big johnny fifita looking after me

 

[innsaneink]

As a kid and a Wests fan I really thought he was crazy... Wasn't till later I understood passion

 

[TrueTiger]

I can't remember a time when i wasn't following wests first the magpies and then the tigers. My dad played lower grades for the magpies and when my parents split i moved with my mother to adelong and played for the adelong-batlow bears in the same team as ciriaco mescia's younger brother.

The move to Adelong would have been nice,its a great part of our country...adelong/batlow were in group 23 if I remember correctly in the 80s,I played in the group 9 comp,over the years the 2 groups combined I think and included Tumbarumba and some Albury teams as far as I can recall...
I was lucky enough to compete in an endurance ride(on horses not bikes)at Batlow and the mountain country is nothing short of spectacular as is Tumbarumba...Batlow produced great apples as well ...

Yeah loved there and your right just as i moved there the 2 groups combined. A lot of good footballers came through the group 9 comp. Got to play against les boyd that was terrifying for me at 17 but I had big johnny fifita looking after me

Gato,I met Les Boyd when he worked for United Distillers,he was their rep when I worked in the Hotel in Wagga.he is the only NRL player that never drank beer,he was a wine buff,but a really big guy in person and enjoyable to talk to..his mate was Tony Antony who coached and played for Cootamundra when I was at Turvey Park in Wagga..you are right there was a lot of very talented players from Grp 9 that went on to NRL careers...I was lucky to have played with and against some of the best in that era...

 

[shane2801]

First game the 1977 Amco Cup final with dad. Lidcombe Oval tragic till 1987. I remember how giant the players were as you ran onto the field at fulltime. The smell of the grass and liniment as you pattted Dallas, Bruiser on the back.
Games you couldnt get to you listened to on the radio. When Wests werent on you waited for scores around the ground.

Orana Park seeing the helicopter land after the game to pick up the game footage for the news that night.
Great days!!!

The smell of the wet grass and mud in that really wet winter of 89 at Orana is still with me. They used a helicopter to dry the field before the games that year. The soggy steak sandwiches were great.

Hey Gallagher, Remember the drop outs at that time. Rarely went 15 metres 🙂