I was born the day following the 1969 grand final victory. Grew up in the northern suburbs of Wollongong. Dad was from a pretty full on league playing family from Bega. His brother played for both the Bears and Manly and actually played for Australia on a couple of occasions. He's also the uncle of Ray Price (Parramatta) - Dad was a huge fan of both Ray & Parramatta and so, he'd always take me up to either Cumberland Oval where I'd be this tiny kid trying to wave his tigers flag amongst an absolute sea of blue and yellow or to Leichardt. Rarely did I ever leave the ground without tears as the Parra team were incredible throughout the 80's. And to be honest, the tigers were pretty ordinary mostly. Come mid-week cup time however, we rocked! Don't really know why I chose the tigers, probably the colours I guess. But I loved a few of the players Percy Knight, Larry Corowa & big Olsen Filipaina in particular. It's funny, I can't really ever imagine how I could possibly fit in with a different crowd. There was a period of a few weeks in probably 1980 or 81 where I thought I'd change and go for the Jets because I really liked Ken Wilson as a player, but also as a goal kicker. I was a kid who loved kicking for goal. Anyway, I went up to Henson Park and watched a Newtown v Tigers game. Well, Ken Wilson kicked them from everywhere that day and we were smashed. Didn't like the Jets much after that. Thought I better get back on board with the tigers.
Your Wests Tigers Story and When you started supporting them
- Thread starter Tigersman
- Start date
I am one of 9 kids. All of my four brothers followed St George. All of my four sisters followed South Sydney. I chose Balmain to support as a 9 year old…..some 46years ago...just to be different. Growing up in the Hunter Valley, I never got to see Balmain play very much, until I was offered a job in Sydney in 1982\. I found other fiends who were "Tigers" fans and we spent a whole lot of time at Leichhardt during the Elias, Pearce, Roach era. When Chicka scored to beat us in the '87 GF i just sat in the dark at home for hours afterwards. I was there also in those challenging days at the start of the Wests Tigers, saw some real hammerings at Campbelltown and other venues. I have recruited a couple of friends to be WT members and fans since 2003\. I am a Platinum Member this year. I love the Tigers, as simple as that.
cqtiger
Well-known member
@happy tiger said:
Gee Hap, the coincidences.
I go for Collingwood, too. I used to go to Melbourne once a year and I stayed with a sheila I knew. Her and her dad were mad Collingwood supporters and they asked if I wanted to go to the footy on Saturday. I got ready, jeans, t-shirt with flanno shirt over the top (as you do). Her dad turned up, took one look at me and said I couldn't go to the footy dressed like that!
Turned out he was a member of the Woodsmen club. All the well-to-do's, raffle tickets were $20 each (over 30 yrs ago). Got job offers and all.
You guys (Hap & Watto) talk about loyalty and the choice of the Bonco's. I'm the same, born and bred in Wollongong but I can't follow anyone but the Tigers, then and now. The St George takeover a lot different to our JV. Our JV spats are nothing compared to the Steelers disappearing (I think they may wear the socks sometimes lol). I know a lot of disillusioned ex-Steeler fans.
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