WT Forget Campbelltown

[innsaneink]

Can anyone explain to me why Wests magpies club is located in ashfield and campbelltown?

Wests originally played out of Pratten Park in Ashfield & St Luke's Oval in Concord (primarily the former after starting at the latter). They then moved to Lidcombe in the 60s, and then Campbelltown in the 80s.

Whilst the recent history is out of Campbelltown, the origins of both Wests and Balmain is in the inner west so it's important to maintain a foothold in the area IMO.

I've never had a perfectly exact history, and the different parties seem cagey about it, but Wests Ashfield was established 1955 to support the Wests Football Club, which at the time were out of Ashfield as ricksen notes (different definition of "West" back then).

With their borders being squeezed by the other inner-city clubs (Dogs, Tigers), Wests made a strategic move to Campbelltown in 1996 - they relocated the Football Club and Wests Ashfield bought the Campbelltown City Kangaroos Club, rebranding them as Wests Leagues Club.

So for the first decade or so of the Magpies and then JV, Wests Ashfield owned / controlled both clubs. But then there were a series of changes to Wests Campbelltown - they bought the Tennis Club in 2007, amalgamated with Lakeside Golf Club, then amalgamated again with Gledswood Hills Country Club. Exactly what happened at the board level at the time is murky to me (as a former Balmain supporter) but around about that time Wests Campbo's influence and involvement in WT declined and their business strategy changed.

I am of the understanding they are now two separate businesses and really weren't particularly aligned during the early days of the JV anyway, with Wests Campbo politically aligned with Balmain most of the time.

I am not privy to the politics of how the two entities changed direction, but Ashfield is owned and operated by Wests Ashfield Leagues Club Pty Ltd. Campbo is owned and operated by Western Suburbs League Club (Campbelltown) Ltd. Wests Ashfield are an owner of the JV and Wests Campbo are not since 2013, they are instead a sponsor.

They are of course not to be confused with the unrelated Wests Group in Newcastle, nor the Wests Brisbane JRLFC.

Thanks gents for the info.

It makes it hard for Wests tigers to embrace an identity when there's so many parts to it.

And to me inner city suburbs and Campbelltown are so geographically different.

They're different to me as well. I grew up in Ashfield, you went with the local team, they chose you. Tribal
When they went to Cambo my team left me. I've never had anything to do with Cambo bar attend games… Still feels foreign to me 30 years on. No connection whatsoever

 

[Tim Sheens]

And it will most likely be another decade or so before the numbers of former Wests and Balmain supporters are the minority.

 

[cktiger]

The days of a teams supporters being predominantly from their geographical area (excepting for one team towns) is pretty much over.
People will always jump on the wagon of a winning team - unfortunately that is not us at present.
They don't care where the players come from as long as they win.

 

[Abraham]

With their borders being squeezed by the other inner-city clubs (Dogs, Tigers), Wests made a strategic move to Campbelltown in 1996 - they relocated the Football Club and Wests Ashfield bought the Campbelltown City Kangaroos Club, rebranding them as Wests Leagues Club.

Sounds about right … except it was 1986 that the decision was made to move to Campbelltown.

Pretty sure 1987 season was their first out west.

 

[innsaneink]

With their borders being squeezed by the other inner-city clubs (Dogs, Tigers), Wests made a strategic move to Campbelltown in 1996 - they relocated the Football Club and Wests Ashfield bought the Campbelltown City Kangaroos Club, rebranding them as Wests Leagues Club.

Sounds about right … except it was 1986 that the decision was made to move to Campbelltown.

Pretty sure 1987 season was their first out west.

Correct…. And Balmain were neighbours from day dot.... Our area was squeezed by dogs and Parra...but that wasn't the main reason for the move

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Wests originally played out of Pratten Park in Ashfield & St Luke's Oval in Concord (primarily the former after starting at the latter). They then moved to Lidcombe in the 60s, and then Campbelltown in the 80s.

Whilst the recent history is out of Campbelltown, the origins of both Wests and Balmain is in the inner west so it's important to maintain a foothold in the area IMO.

I've never had a perfectly exact history, and the different parties seem cagey about it, but Wests Ashfield was established 1955 to support the Wests Football Club, which at the time were out of Ashfield as ricksen notes (different definition of "West" back then).

With their borders being squeezed by the other inner-city clubs (Dogs, Tigers), Wests made a strategic move to Campbelltown in 1996 - they relocated the Football Club and Wests Ashfield bought the Campbelltown City Kangaroos Club, rebranding them as Wests Leagues Club.

So for the first decade or so of the Magpies and then JV, Wests Ashfield owned / controlled both clubs. But then there were a series of changes to Wests Campbelltown - they bought the Tennis Club in 2007, amalgamated with Lakeside Golf Club, then amalgamated again with Gledswood Hills Country Club. Exactly what happened at the board level at the time is murky to me (as a former Balmain supporter) but around about that time Wests Campbo's influence and involvement in WT declined and their business strategy changed.

I am of the understanding they are now two separate businesses and really weren't particularly aligned during the early days of the JV anyway, with Wests Campbo politically aligned with Balmain most of the time.

I am not privy to the politics of how the two entities changed direction, but Ashfield is owned and operated by Wests Ashfield Leagues Club Pty Ltd. Campbo is owned and operated by Western Suburbs League Club (Campbelltown) Ltd. Wests Ashfield are an owner of the JV and Wests Campbo are not since 2013, they are instead a sponsor.

They are of course not to be confused with the unrelated Wests Group in Newcastle, nor the Wests Brisbane JRLFC.

Thanks gents for the info.

It makes it hard for Wests tigers to embrace an identity when there's so many parts to it.

And to me inner city suburbs and Campbelltown are so geographically different.

They're different to me as well. I grew up in Ashfield, you went with the local team, they chose you. Tribal
When they went to Cambo my team left me. I've never had anything to do with Cambo bar attend games… Still feels foreign to me 30 years on. No connection whatsoever

I gather you don't live in the Macarthur Ink?

 

[jirskyr]

With their borders being squeezed by the other inner-city clubs (Dogs, Tigers), Wests made a strategic move to Campbelltown in 1996 - they relocated the Football Club and Wests Ashfield bought the Campbelltown City Kangaroos Club, rebranding them as Wests Leagues Club.

Sounds about right … except it was 1986 that the decision was made to move to Campbelltown.

Pretty sure 1987 season was their first out west.

Correct…. And Balmain were neighbours from day dot.... Our area was squeezed by dogs and Parra...but that wasn't the main reason for the move

Thanks got my dates mixed. 1987 the club was renamed Western Suburbs League Club, 1996 the first local board (non-Ashfield) was elected.

 

[Snake]

Heard some interesting talk at the game yesterday,the corporate sector wants nothing to do with Liechardt or Campbelltown ,there is pressure being applied by the government for the Tigers to play out of the new stadium at Parramatta.. just talk but found it interesting that the club wants 10 million from the government towards the centre of excellence,get the feeling interesting times ahead.

 

[Abraham]

Heard some interesting talk at the game yesterday,the corporate sector wants nothing to do with Liechardt or Campbelltown ,there is pressure being applied by the government for the Tigers to play out of the new stadium at Parramatta.. just talk but found it interesting that the club wants 10 million from the government towards the centre of excellence,get the feeling interesting times ahead.

Quid pro quo … Interesting. Play games at parra in exchange for govt funding for the centre of excellence. Club would be stupid not to squeeze the govt.

 

[gallagher]

Heard some interesting talk at the game yesterday,the corporate sector wants nothing to do with Liechardt or Campbelltown ,there is pressure being applied by the government for the Tigers to play out of the new stadium at Parramatta.. just talk but found it interesting that the club wants 10 million from the government towards the centre of excellence,get the feeling interesting times ahead.

That sounds positive.

 

[innsaneink]

Heard some interesting talk at the game yesterday,the corporate sector wants nothing to do with Liechardt or Campbelltown ,there is pressure being applied by the government for the Tigers to play out of the new stadium at Parramatta.. just talk but found it interesting that the club wants 10 million from the government towards the centre of excellence,get the feeling interesting times ahead.

You've been a strong proponent for a move to Parra haven't you?

 

[Needaname]

I'm not totally against it providing we get a lions share of the ground from the parramatta club and the chance to make the ground our home ground as well. If we are just going to spend the next couple of years borrowing someone else's ground then no way. If the government gives us a far go and makes that ground ours as well as parramattas then I'm ok with it. Better option than ANZ. I wouldn't be against the one off game at Cambo or Liechart once a year. And probably should look at a game in the bush as well. 10 games at Parramatta not at all bad and best total descision for our fan base especially with the Cumberland line back in operation.

 

[Snake]

Heard some interesting talk at the game yesterday,the corporate sector wants nothing to do with Liechardt or Campbelltown ,there is pressure being applied by the government for the Tigers to play out of the new stadium at Parramatta.. just talk but found it interesting that the club wants 10 million from the government towards the centre of excellence,get the feeling interesting times ahead.

You've been a strong proponent for a move to Parra haven't you?

Yes and think this is the only way the club will survive into the future , this conversation did not include myself but was being expressed by members that have a strong affiliation with Balmain ,Liechartd and would say the club . As I initially posted this is just talk but I found it interesting coming from that side of the venture ,nothing probable will happen thought others would be interested.

 

[innsaneink]

One real home ground is something that's very appealing to me as well… But would it be a real home ground for us? Hard to say.
The fact we've been at ANZ for 12 or so years and it's no home for us tells me something... Being full time may change that
We have 2, or 3 grounds now... I cant help but think that would come across as selfish ditching them to go to another clubs home... Doesn't sit real well.... Would make for a good rivalry tho I guess

 

[cqtiger]

I'd really like to see us have just one home ground.
Doesn't matter where it is.

 

[cochise]

A move to the new Parramatta stadium will be excellent for the club, especially if we can get the government to stump up the money for the COE in return.

 

[simonthetigerrrr]

I wouldnt go to parra oval for a home game. It would be too awful to bare live.

 

[simonthetigerrrr]

I'd prefer the sfs if we had to have one!