Leichhardt Oval

[gallagher]

Were competing not only with other NRL clubs, but soccer, union and AFL. All these clubs use modern venues.
How are going to compete for new fans and sponsors with sub standard facilities?
Its 2016.

 

[Cosimo_Zaretti]

What? Why would anyone want to tamper with the Glenn Morrison toilet block? Think of the heritage! Some of those smells are decades old.

We can build a bigger, better toilet block and name it after Gordon Tallis.

Ooh that hot dog's not sitting well. I'm going to have to get Gordon's views on the subject.

 

[TIGER]

I flew down from the sunshine coast and met up with a mate who also lives on the coast but is working in Sydney. He's a Broncos supporter and he's never been to any other venue, he has a soft spot for the Tigers and has always wanted to go to a game at Leichhardt, Ive been telling him for years about how the atmosphere at Leichhardt with only 12,000 is better than Suncorp with 40,000\. After Sunday I think he finally understands, I think he'll remember his first Leichhardt experience forever it was a pretty special one.
When I say this I absolutely mean it, there's nowhere else I'd rather be in the world.
Leave it as it is with all of it's charm I say, I love the place.

 

[Tigerdon]

so looking forward to the next LO game. I went with my two brother and 8 month old nephew , there was so much cheering his little eyes were popping out of his head, he loved in and fell asleep in a newly purchased WTs scarf . I hope it is still an NRL in 20 years so he can go back there and tell his mates…"I've been coming here before I was one."

 

[diedpretty]

Is it still being used and is it in reasonable shape??

Its in great shape - used regularly by Auburn in RMC - Wests Magpies had a return to Lidcombe day a few weeks ago that was very successful.

 

[diedpretty]

Ok, a couple of unusual admissions here. Firstly, I grew up in Avalon on the Northern Beaches ( I hear you - bloody silvertail!) but I never liked the local, glamor team,who raped and pillaged the poorer clubs, and always supported the earthy, heritage rich Tigers. This liking became love as players such as Wayne Pringle, Larry Corrowa, Olsen Fillipaina, Wayne Pearce, Ellery Hanley and Garry Jack came to the fore. **I'm going to ruffle a few Magpie feathers here but Leichhardt Oval is the heart and soul of the old Balmain Tigers.** But besides being a link to the glory days of the past, it's actually a truly atmospheric, exciting venue to watch Rugby League. Ok, second admission, I'm living in Peru and I'm forced to stay in touch via live streaming on my notebook. I watched Wests triumph over the Cows and I was filled with equal pride and nostalgia as the Tigers played brilliant football at a wonderful venue, one that I'd visited many times. I can't argue with those who say it's facilities are substandard (I've put up with the sewer like conditions of the men's toilets for years) but, as a staunch Wests Tigers fan I'll be praying that the mooted improvements come through so that we can see at least three games a year at our spiritual home. By the way, what happened or what is happening at Lidcombe Oval, the Magpies' spiritual home?

How is that going to ruffle any feathers - its true. Its just not the heart and soul nor spiritual ground of the Wests Tigers.

 

[stevied]

Agreed but it would be nice to settle on one for the Wests Tigers and, hopefully, it turns out to be a modern, state of the art facility at Concord.

 

[prattenpark]

I don't know. But I know the Maggies have a rich history there and it was well out of use by the time I graced this green Earth.

Just looked at the Wikipedia page, apparently it's biggest crowd was 21K back in 1978 against Parra. It's facilities are pretty aged apparently. Some of the older fellas amongst us might be able to clarify.

They allowed the kids to sit on the bike track that day. Remember my dad lifting me over the fence to sit with the other kids … It was a great day and a great era .... But times have moved on now.

Ah, sitting on the old bike track. We used to have the marching band at half time, with formation marching and a baton twirler. And, we used to have what seemed like, to a young kid, the tallest uprights on any goal posts anywhere in the world. There is a great page noelkellyskids.info (http://www.noelkellyskids.info/case_of_the_missing_goal_posts) that has lots of the magpies history documented.

We used to sit on the same spot on the north eastern corner of the hill, right by the Dorahy's, up past the second light tower. Father Maurice Sullivan, from St Vincent's at Ashfield, was usually standing behind (my mum would dig her fingers into my dad's side, "don't swear, Bill, Mori is just behind us. lol)

I remember that they would announce the post match function was being held at the Lidcombe Dancers Club, which was a kind of de-facto leagues club for us on game days as Ashfield was too far away for anyone to bother going back to. We did have plans to build a club house just by Lidcombe Oval but it never happened (lack of council approval?).

After the Amco Cup final victory in 1977, with Keith (yappy) Holman as coach, we had some run-in with the local council and moved our last 4 or 5 home games back to Pratten Park at Ashfield. We also played a few games there is 1985, and in the early 70s.

We were only at Lidcombe Oval for 20 years, from 1967-68 to 1986\. Pratten Park at Ashfield is where we spent the majority of our time. However, our very first years were spent at St Lukes (aka Concord Oval), the site of our current training facilities.

My favourite match at Lidcombe was Wests v Souths in 1976\. It was a ripper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfdXzmCFsTI

 

[marzie]

I wish money wasn't a factor and we could just play half of our games at Campbelltown and half at Leichhardt. I enjoy going to both equally.

The atmosphere sucks at ANZ, never a great experience.

 

[Spook]

Lidcombe Oval looks exactly the same as it did in the early 60's when pre-season games for the Craven Mild cup were played there. It was one of the few grounds that was floodlit. I enjoyed watching games there and thought the lights were good until Leichhardt was redeveloped for the Amco Cup with lights suitable for TV broadcast.

 

[gallagher]

Agreed but it would be nice to settle on one for the Wests Tigers and, hopefully, it turns out to be a modern, state of the art facility at Concord.

Concord has less chance than LO and CSS.

 

[GoldXR50Leroy]

I'd love to watch a game or two at Lidcombe Oval. How many people can that handle when it's filled?

Sadly is not up to current NRL standards, no train station nearby, limited parking, no corporate facilities, tiny Grandstand, however it has a cycle track around the ground and a huge hill, bring back the 70's!.

 

[innsaneink]

huh? train station is a 3 min walk away….but yeh it will never see an nrl comp game

 

[westTAHger]

I'd love to watch a game or two at Lidcombe Oval. How many people can that handle when it's filled?

Sadly is not up to current NRL standards, no train station nearby, limited parking, no corporate facilities, tiny Grandstand, however it has a cycle track around the ground and a huge hill, bring back the 70's!.

I know this would never happen, so all in the name of a bit of fun, as a one off promotional idea:
When the NRL has heritage round, when you walk in the gate, you can purchase for $1 a " **footy survival pack**"
inside it could be mini sized mar bar, a small wagon wheel, & 2 redskins. All proceeds go to either Men of League, or The Children's Hospital.

As I don't do social media, so for those of you, who are on Farcebook, Instasham, Trotter and Spankchat, :wink: :laughing:
could you please put the idea out there for a bit of fun, and see if you get any reactions.

 

[westTAHger]

I sent this e-mail to NRL this morning. I thought if you don't ask you'll never know. :bulb:
No harm in sending a e-mail. Probably get deleted anyway. :deadhorse:

_" I know this would never happen, so all in the name of a bit of fun, as a one off promotional idea:
When the NRL has heritage round, or even for the final’s series next year.\
\
When you attend a game and walk in the gate, you can purchase for $2 a " 70’s footy survival pack"
inside it could be mini sized mar bar, a small wagon wheel, & 2 redskins.\
\
I have no doubt if you approach Corporate companies, they would be willing to be involved.
All proceeds go to either Men of League, or The Children's Hospital.\
\
As I don't do social media, maybe you could put the idea out on Farcebook, Instasham, Trotter and Spankchat.
Feel free to communicate with me, as you just never know, the footy fans/general public just may like the idea, and the proceeds go to a great cause."_
regards
Glen

**_Much to my surprise I got this e-mail @ 1.35pm today 12/8/16 from NRL feedback:_**
Hi Glen,

Thank you for your email and providing us with your promotional idea.

Your email has been sent to the Promotions team who will review it and contact you if they deem necessary.

Thanks again for your support of the game.
Kind regards,
Ethan
Supporter Liaison

 

[supercoach]

so looking forward to the next LO game. I went with my two brother and 8 month old nephew , there was so much cheering his little eyes were popping out of his head, he loved in and fell asleep in a newly purchased WTs scarf . I hope it is still an NRL in 20 years so he can go back there and tell his mates…"I've been coming here before I was one."

Mate many years ago I dragged my sons and their mates along to LO every couple of weeks to see the Tigers run around, I guess they were about 5 years old at the time. Over thirty years on nothing has changed except they drag me along and we have a stop at either the Orange Grove or the Royal for pre match refreshments and work out a game plan!!!

I hope it continues till I clock off

 

[Tigerdon]

so looking forward to the next LO game. I went with my two brother and 8 month old nephew , there was so much cheering his little eyes were popping out of his head, he loved in and fell asleep in a newly purchased WTs scarf . I hope it is still an NRL in 20 years so he can go back there and tell his mates…"I've been coming here before I was one."

Mate many years ago I dragged my sons and their mates along to LO every couple of weeks to see the Tigers run around, I guess they were about 5 years old at the time. Over thirty years on nothing has changed except they drag me along and we have a stop at either the Orange Grove or the Royal for pre match refreshments and work out a game plan!!!

I hope it continues till I clock off

that's fantastic. i love the tradition and nostalgia mixed in with an historic win. hope you have plenty more arvo's on the LO Hill.
tomorrows game at Campbo is shaping up as another cracker, hope those going bring along a young sprog and sprout a tradition there as well.