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- Feb 16, 2008
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Gather round kids ... Uncle CK has a story.
Back in about 1984, a young CK was whisked off by train to a place called Belmore on a Sunday afternoon by the great Nanna B, in what would prove to be a life shaping event.
You see, we had 3 grades of footy - Back then there'd be plenty of time to kill. Some played footy on the hill, you could wander off to the other parts of the hill, wander off and grab a pie, wander off to the loo, wander off to get a drink. In the company of Bulldogs family, Nanna B knew I'd be looked after as an "own child".
While wandering, I made my way to the Eastern end (opposite from the railway) to cast my eye over the colour and noise building throughout the afternoon. It seemed the more blue and white appeared, the louder they got. Banging on fances, cheering, flying bits of paper ..... AND ..... those MASSIVE flags from TV !!!
To a primary school kid that stuff is as intoxicating as lollies and Coke.
Two well spent hours lost among the ocean of Bulldogs Army circa 1980's ... I was hooked. I raced home to catch some of the delayed telecast on TV .... and there I was !!!
I wanted the newest jersey. A #6 on the back please !!! A big flag too ???
I wanted to go to EVERY game !
I settled for some games ....
Life intervened and I had to move 45mins away in early '85 (practically a whole galaxy away). With the promise of trips to Belmore, the fingerprints left on my memories never rubbed off. They became religious pilgrimages to the holy land far away. Something to spend months looking forward to, leaving memories as strong as ever.
At the same time we were a dominant force. GF wins in 84, 85 and 88 certainly embedded a strong belief that Bulldogs fandom was a way of life embraced by many. The larger CK family divided it's allegiances down Tigers and Bulldogs lines. Nanna B the black sheep went against the grain and chose the Dogs after herself being exposed to early years watching games.
Fast forward to 2008 and the worst season ever ... it was THIS very generation of Bulldogs Army is the reason my passion has been re-ignited. To see the likes of Costa, Moe, Hani, Rami, Christian, Tony, Anthony, Ace and many others still going ... still supporting .... still bringing the banners and flags .... after successive 50 point drubbings ..... was pure inspiration to me.
I'd been hiding from rugby league, swamped in my own self-pity as a Bulldogs fan - Clearly ... there were others suffering more than me. - Lightbulb moment hit at the sight of the Bulldogs Army erupting in cheers, after scoring their first try in a match while 30-0 down.
"Oh WOW ... good on them !" I thought. I called my brother into the room to see .... "Check out the Army dude !" - I felt like I owed it to those who stuck around to help keep their chins and heads up high. Hazem's record came early in 2009. I went along. Met some Kennelers of distinction, and began my year of giving back.
In 2010, life has intervened and I haven't been able to commit as much time and energy to attending games as I would prefer. All I can really do is cheer you guys from the sidelines as you travel to Melb and Newy. If creating some thread with maps helps you get there, then I'll do that !
Although this year hasn't been the one we'd hoped ... the picture below reminds me that everything is OK with the world.
This young man, reminds me of me - It's essentially How my fanatical supporting got started.
Emsy .. when I told you, you'd made a gift to last the Army generations this is what I meant. That boy is mystified by that banner, in every single picture i've seen. We lost badly, and still sang silly - He WILL remember this.
It's because of the current Bulldogs Army ..... that young gentleman MAY wind the next Ali, Ace, CK, Hog, Christian, Jase, Will, Munnuz, etc .... in ten years time, driving buses hours away or manufacturing flags for all to admire.
In two short years since the dark dark days of 2008, we're already securing the ongoing domination of Bulldogs fans. And all we had to do was be ourselves.
Bulldogs Army : They all hate us, because they ain't us !
Back in about 1984, a young CK was whisked off by train to a place called Belmore on a Sunday afternoon by the great Nanna B, in what would prove to be a life shaping event.
You see, we had 3 grades of footy - Back then there'd be plenty of time to kill. Some played footy on the hill, you could wander off to the other parts of the hill, wander off and grab a pie, wander off to the loo, wander off to get a drink. In the company of Bulldogs family, Nanna B knew I'd be looked after as an "own child".
While wandering, I made my way to the Eastern end (opposite from the railway) to cast my eye over the colour and noise building throughout the afternoon. It seemed the more blue and white appeared, the louder they got. Banging on fances, cheering, flying bits of paper ..... AND ..... those MASSIVE flags from TV !!!
To a primary school kid that stuff is as intoxicating as lollies and Coke.
Two well spent hours lost among the ocean of Bulldogs Army circa 1980's ... I was hooked. I raced home to catch some of the delayed telecast on TV .... and there I was !!!
I wanted the newest jersey. A #6 on the back please !!! A big flag too ???
I wanted to go to EVERY game !
I settled for some games ....
Life intervened and I had to move 45mins away in early '85 (practically a whole galaxy away). With the promise of trips to Belmore, the fingerprints left on my memories never rubbed off. They became religious pilgrimages to the holy land far away. Something to spend months looking forward to, leaving memories as strong as ever.
At the same time we were a dominant force. GF wins in 84, 85 and 88 certainly embedded a strong belief that Bulldogs fandom was a way of life embraced by many. The larger CK family divided it's allegiances down Tigers and Bulldogs lines. Nanna B the black sheep went against the grain and chose the Dogs after herself being exposed to early years watching games.
Fast forward to 2008 and the worst season ever ... it was THIS very generation of Bulldogs Army is the reason my passion has been re-ignited. To see the likes of Costa, Moe, Hani, Rami, Christian, Tony, Anthony, Ace and many others still going ... still supporting .... still bringing the banners and flags .... after successive 50 point drubbings ..... was pure inspiration to me.
I'd been hiding from rugby league, swamped in my own self-pity as a Bulldogs fan - Clearly ... there were others suffering more than me. - Lightbulb moment hit at the sight of the Bulldogs Army erupting in cheers, after scoring their first try in a match while 30-0 down.
"Oh WOW ... good on them !" I thought. I called my brother into the room to see .... "Check out the Army dude !" - I felt like I owed it to those who stuck around to help keep their chins and heads up high. Hazem's record came early in 2009. I went along. Met some Kennelers of distinction, and began my year of giving back.
In 2010, life has intervened and I haven't been able to commit as much time and energy to attending games as I would prefer. All I can really do is cheer you guys from the sidelines as you travel to Melb and Newy. If creating some thread with maps helps you get there, then I'll do that !
Although this year hasn't been the one we'd hoped ... the picture below reminds me that everything is OK with the world.
This young man, reminds me of me - It's essentially How my fanatical supporting got started.
Emsy .. when I told you, you'd made a gift to last the Army generations this is what I meant. That boy is mystified by that banner, in every single picture i've seen. We lost badly, and still sang silly - He WILL remember this.
It's because of the current Bulldogs Army ..... that young gentleman MAY wind the next Ali, Ace, CK, Hog, Christian, Jase, Will, Munnuz, etc .... in ten years time, driving buses hours away or manufacturing flags for all to admire.
In two short years since the dark dark days of 2008, we're already securing the ongoing domination of Bulldogs fans. And all we had to do was be ourselves.
Bulldogs Army : They all hate us, because they ain't us !
