I'd like to share my experience today of how far down, and/or a laughing stock, our Club, has become out there in the wider community. I might rave on here but I am emotional and this incident speaks to me of our downfall you mention.
Gives me no joy at all to relate this story and if any smartarse ba$tard bags my post, I wish you 7 years of bad luck.
My mum died a few weeks ago and the nursing home have a memorial service each month for those residents who passed on during that month.
They read out the service sheet for the other 5 residents. A little bit about their lives and such.
My mother (and whole extended family) was a huge Bulldogs fan and the pastor read out her story of how she had severe dementia but still managed to have someone set the tv ready to watch her beloved Berries/Bulldogs when our games were televised.
Sadly, there was a few snickers from people attending and the celebrant looked up and said "Dorothy was a devoted Bulldogs fan...(snickers from the attendees) then said "I really don't know why"... and looked up at me...I felt I should explain that she was born in Bankstown.
It was a very solemn occasion and I teared up, yet people still felt entitled to have a shot and a joke at the Bulldogs expense inside a chapel.
I was devastated that things have got that low and the Club is perceived so poorly.
I want the Andersons and the new Board to fix this as soon as humanly possible.
Wendog22, We'll be back, don't worry about that. The dogs will reign again.
A lot of supporters and clubs envied our club for over 30 years. Thats why they like to put the boot in when we're down, and they would love to see us down permanently.
But that won't happen, we'll be back, that I can guarantee you.
As much of a mess we're in at the moment just know it's only temporary.
As the late great Bullfrog Moore said
"Tough times don't last but tough people do" and we're a tough bunch don't worry about that.
My late father past away 8 years ago, and as I was sitting there next to him in his hospital bed watching him die. The dogs were playing their opening season game against Newcastle and we were getting beaten and eventually lost that match. I get a text message from a work colleague putting the boot into me about the dogs knowing very well my dad was dying. Wendog22, they will kick you when you're down, but it's so so much sweeter when we're on top and dominating, and it will happen.
They talk about the Bulldogs being the Family club, well I can tell you this extends out amongst the supporters as well. We are a family, and we bicker and banter amongst ourselves like real brothers and sisters do, but we all have a common love of the dogs and that's what brings us together.
I still remember being a young 10 year old in the Golden era in the 80's going to watch the dogs play in semi finals at the SCG.
For a young bloke walking into that cricket ground you feel the intimidation, the feeling of war battle in the air, the hate and dislike against the bulldogs from the fans of whoever we we're playing, Parra, Dragons, Souths and Balmain fans.
I'd make my way around to the old Bulldogs army on the old SCG hill(yes the SCG did have a hill lol) and you can see the Old Bulldog banners..."Mortimer Magic"..."Bulldog Brilliance" and a sea of blue and white faithful underneath the Mitsubishi Electronic scoreboard(who funny enough would be our jersey sponsor two decades later when we won the comp). As I made my way to the army and sat my bum down on the grass, the anxiety and fear would fade away knowing very well I'm with my family now, the bulldog family, they have my back and I got their backs. Blue and white jerseys everywhere. I was home and I was ready to go into battle with them. Always proud to be a BULLDOG!
