Poll: How did you get into supporting North?

[gustaaf]

I came to Australia from Holland in 1972 by ship. It was actually on the ship between Melbourne and Sydney that I saw my first game of Australian Rules football in grainy black and white pictures that faded in and out on a small tele. Until then I hadn't even heard of Aussie Rules, but I was intrigued. That game happened to be the high scoring 1972 VFL grand final when Carlton beat Richmond.

No family ties for me in choosing North as my club. I've always been a sports nut and a supporter of the underdog, so I based my choice of which VFL club to support purely on who finished last in the previous season. North only won one game and won the spoon that year, so they were my club and have remained so ever since. I picked the right time to start supporting North because North's fortunes changed almost straight away from 1973.

The family settled into Canberra where I got my first taste of kicking a footy at school at lunchtime in kick to kick and marking competitions, but as I was a soccer player I never actually played a game until I went to boarding school in Albury (Scots) about 18 months later, which allowed me to remain in Australia when the family moved back to Holland. It turns out I was one of just two North supporters at my new school, which was a bit surprising considering it was in North's designated recruitment zone at that time.

The only North game I've watched live in Melbourne was when I went with a couple of St Kilda supporting school mates to watch North beat the Saints at Moorabbin for the first time in ages when Slamming Sam racked up 30 odd possessions. I have seen the Kangas play in Sydney and Canberra, but unfortunately never at Arden Street. I did take the opportunity to go to the North Social Club when I once had to be in Melbourne for a work conference.

 

[All In Sunbury]

The Huddle

 

[Whippet1]

Dad played North ressies in 1951 kicking 10 one day and was named emergency the next week in case Jock Spencer didn’t come up. Spencer played, Dad went to Glenferrie to play in the 2’s and promptly did his knee. Career over back then. Nonetheless the family followed North and I started going to games in 1972 when I was 10. The flag in 1975 was a joyous moment with the ride along the way exhilarating. They’ll always get my membership even if it’s a donation these days.

 

[Uncle_Leo]

I grew up in a house with my mum, grandmother and aunty in Carlton about 10 minute walk from Princes Park.

My Mum and Nan both massive Carlton supporters, reserve seats at Princes Park and took me every week, everyone in the seats around us also people that live in our street, I still have a Carlton membership purchased for me every year by my mother, been a member 42 years now.

My aunty barracks for North and would buy me North jumpers for Birthday/Christmas etc. My grandfather (who passed away in 1976 before I was born) was a North supporter

I was pretty split between the two until I was about 9-10 years old but North had this young bloke playing for them named Wayne Carey which was making me prefer North and the rest is history.

When I got to 13 years of age my mum gave me the option of still attending Carlton games with them or going to North by myself (my aunty doesn't attend games for medical reasons). I chose North, to be fair to to my mum, she purchased me a membership for North and would take me when Carlton weren't playing otherwise give me money to get there and get home, I would go to games by myself (unthinkable now as a 12-13 year old) and the feeling at North games was completely different to being at Carlton games. This was my team.

The day the really confirmed it was a game in the sitting in the same members area at Princes Park in 1995 that I had sat for years in with my Mum and Nan between North and Carlton. I was head to toe in North Melbourne gear and the looks and comments I received from everyone around me was extraordinary. They also let me know about the final scores when Carlton won. After that I knew that while I will always have a soft spot for Carlton because of my family, this was not my team.

So in Summary I kind of find into both categories in the poll, but my son is a North fan and proud to say he is techinically a 4th generation North supporter

 

[Chip Scab1]

I grew up in a house with my mum, grandmother and aunty in Carlton about 10 minute walk from Princes Park.

My Mum and Nan both massive Carlton supporters, reserve seats at Princes Park and took me every week, everyone in the seats around us also people that live in our street, I still have a Carlton membership purchased for me every year by my mother, been a member 42 years now.

My aunty barracks for North and would buy me North jumpers for Birthday/Christmas etc. My grandfather (who passed away in 1976 before I was born) was a North supporter

I was pretty split between the two until I was about 9-10 years old but North had this young bloke playing for them named Wayne Carey which was making me prefer North and the rest is history.

When I got to 13 years of age my mum gave me the option of still attending Carlton games with them or going to North by myself (my aunty doesn't attend games for medical reasons). I chose North, to be fair to to my mum, she purchased me a membership for North and would take me when Carlton weren't playing otherwise give me money to get there and get home, I would go to games by myself (unthinkable now as a 12-13 year old) and the feeling at North games was completely different to being at Carlton games. This was my team.

The day the really confirmed it was a game in the sitting in the same members area at Princes Park in 1995 that I had sat for years in with my Mum and Nan between North and Carlton. I was head to toe in North Melbourne gear and the looks and comments I received from everyone around me was extraordinary. They also let me know about the final scores when Carlton won. After that I knew that while I will always have a soft spot for Carlton because of my family, this was not my team.

So in Summary I kind of find into both categories in the poll, but my son is a North fan and proud to say he is techinically a 4th generation North supporter

I know how you feel kinda. Grandfather was Carlton Member for 70 years, reckon he had the same seat in the Social Club Stand there at PP for at least 50.

I attended that game in '95. Sat as we always did, in the 'Pigs Ass' Smokers Stand. They were just too good in '95. We were pretty decent that day after 1/4 time. Lost by 3 goals from memory after being 6-7 to 1 down at Quarter time.

 

[Uncle_Leo]

I know how you feel kinda. Grandfather was Carlton Member for 70 years, reckon he had the same seat in the Social Club Stand there at PP for at least 50.

I attended that game in '95. Sat as we always did, in the 'Pigs Ass' Smokers Stand. They were just too good in '95. We were pretty decent that day after 1/4 time. Lost by 3 goals from memory after being 6-7 to 1 down at Quarter time.

We came in having beaten the Eagles and Tigers over the previous two weeks and it was 1st vs 6th, pretty big game and from memory one I thought we could win

 

[speedy]

All I remember is a shit load of kids in primary school barracking for Collingwood, and I’ve never been the sheep following type.

I think the 1980 Ansett cup grand final win sealed the deal.

Don’t think the 75 and 77 Premierships had much bearing… too young.

 

[Lomas]

All I remember is a shit load of kids in primary school barracking for Collingwood, and I’ve never been the sheep following type.

I think the 1980 Ansett cup grand final win sealed the deal.

Don’t think the 75 and 77 Premierships had much bearing… too young.

Humble brag about age….

 

[speedy]

Humble brag about age….

Brag? I suppose if being in your 50’s is the new 30’s.

 

[The Nostradamus]

I’ll admit I bandwagoned

got to pick any team I wanted during 1998

Chose the one with the king in it

 

[toepoker]

Dad was 22 when I was born with a fair few years of bush footy still in front of him so I used to get dragged along every Saturday. Our local team wears North jumpers. As with many 70s parents Dad worked 3 jobs as well as playing footy so his parenting style would best be described as "hands off" so I don't recall being actively encouraged around barracking for a football team. Eventually I got sick of playing with matchbox cars and started paying attention to what the local boys were doing. Then I noticed a team on "The Winners" wearing the same gear. So a North fan I was from that day forward.
I have to thank the old man, without his shoddy parenting I would have wound up a Carlton fan.

 

[Arthur Cloke]

I grew up in the bible-belt and so my heart was always close to Arden St. For years I barracked for the Demons, but my girlfriend at the time was strict Greek Orthodox (left arm) and gave me the ultimatum, it's either the Saints, or we're done.

I hated Justin Peckett and so there was no way I was converting to StK. So we made a compromise - I would barrack for NM, but I would have to wear a Carl Deitrich headband during intimacy. I didn't mind it.

But now I barrack for Gold Coast Suns sometimes. I just like their jumper and their theme parks. Speaking of the theme parks, I once went on the Lethal Weapon ride with my then ex-girlfriend - Fat Stav. We'd only just started going out & I was quite aroused as Fat Stav was wearing thongs. Once the ride got going, the lack of blood supply to my brain resulted in me passing out. As soon as the ride finished, the attendant raced over with an ice pack & then 5 minutes later, I was brand new. It seems so real.

 

[franjon]

My first serious encounter with North Melbourne was on a beautiful sunny day in 1966 (it must have been late in the season) when I was revising for my Year 12 examinations. I had idly switched the radio on and happened to get a Roos game. Noel Teasdale seemed to be everywhere, but he could only kick behinds. That game started me on my supporter’s journey - and I have never looked back ...
Fast forward to 1973, when my father gave me a copy of Fr Gerard Dowling’s book “The North Story”, coinciding with the interest created by Barassi’s arrival as coach. As I read through the book, I came to understand that one of my relations had been associated with the club in its earliest years, so my status as a North supporter was preordained.
We were overseas when the club won its first premiership, but my father-in-law - may he be forever blessed - rang me up in England so I could listen to the last ten minutes of the 1975 Grand Final and hear the excitement of our first Premiership. It must have cost him a bomb!
We were also at Arden Street when the pie stand caught fire. Although we were on the other side of the ground, we were a little worried as my eldest son had been perched on top of it minutes before the fire started. We were also around for the 1977 Grand Finals, but were in Canberra for the 1996 and 1999 Premierships and unable to attend in person.
It is a family affair with us: my daughter, son, and grandson ae members in addition to my wife, who somehow manages to put up with my enthusiasm.
I conclude with the observation that it appears that every twenty-five years (or so) from joining the VFL in 1925, North has appeared in Grand Finals: 1950, 1975, 1999 ... who knows, the next one might not be so far away.


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At least you got to hear some of it. About half way through the last quarter is about all I can recall, the radio had gone funny and I was too drunk at that point anyway. 1977 I was a bit more organised.

 

[zoomba23]

This is a ****ing cracking thread.

Very humanising stories. The doling out of abuse will be more difficult for having read them

 

[itchyscratch]

1975 Grand Final did it for me. Seeing all that emotion with North’s first win was incredible. Many many decades later I found out that my grandfather was a rabid North supporter, my GGrandmother’s family all lived and worked in Hotham, and my GGrandfather lived and died on Arden St. I haven’t ever been to an AFL game but when life permits it and I’m no longer in a caring role I will fork out for a flight to Melbourne, some swanky accommodation and enjoy the heck out of finally getting to see the boys play surrounded by other North fans. And I’ll wear the North scarf my mum knitted for me in 1975! Can’t wait!

 

[Wild Kangaroo]

Better them than us.

I still haven't forgiven them for how they made me feel in 1992 or 1993 at Princess Park. They were 27 (i think) down at 3/4 time against the Mighty Joeys (we were young as **** that year from memory) - anyway, Ross Lyon (I think) goal with a minute to go, hurt my feelings and I won't shed a tear for them because of that day. Also hated Peter Sartori for head butting Ducks fist at Western Oval that day in 1993. Should have got life for that, Duck could have hurt himself.

I still haven't forgiven them for how they made me feel in 1992 or 1993 at Princess Park. They were 27 (i think) down at 3/4 time against the Mighty Joeys (we were young as **** that year from memory) - anyway, Ross Lyon (I think) goal with a minute to go was in 1991 also Fitzroy won by 1 point in 1993

Also hated Peter Sartori for head butting Ducks fist at Western Oval that day in 1993. Should have got life for that, Duck could have hurt himself. - 1994

 

[Roysforever]

I still haven't forgiven them for how they made me feel in 1992 or 1993 at Princess Park. They were 27 (i think) down at 3/4 time against the Mighty Joeys (we were young as **** that year from memory) - anyway, Ross Lyon (I think) goal with a minute to go was in 1991 also Fitzroy won by 1 point in 1993

Also hated Peter Sartori for head butting Ducks fist at Western Oval that day in 1993. Should have got life for that, Duck could have hurt himself. - 1994

After Sartori headbutted Carey's fist you might recall Carey then headbutted Jason Baldwin's fist. And yet Baldwin didn't get suspended.

 

[Lomas]

It’s pretty heartening, and heartbreaking, to read quite a few on here with my Fitzroy past.

 

[nmfc91]

To this day, I still don't know exactly when or how, I am born & bred in SA surrounded by Crows supporting family & friends. I have vague memories of the grand finals in the late 90s as a young kid, maybe I jumped on board around this time. After a grand final loss? After a grand final win? I'm not exactly sure. My favourite players were Stevo (Anthony being my namesake) & Archer & my favourite colour being blue along with my favourite number being #10 so maybe this is why. Again, I'm not entirely sure. I have never looked back, I'm a rusted on passionate shinboner who loves the club. Hoping for the tide to turn.

 

[zoomba23]

To this day, I still don't know exactly when or how, I am born & bred in SA surrounded by Crows supporting family & friends. I have vague memories of the grand finals in the late 90s as a young kid, maybe I jumped on board around this time. After a grand final loss? After a grand final win? I'm not exactly sure. My favourite players were Stevo (Anthony being my namesake) & Archer & my favourite colour being blue along with my favourite number being #10 so maybe this is why. Again, I'm not entirely sure. I have never looked back, I'm a rusted on passionate shinboner who loves the club. Hoping for the tide to turn.

If you jumped on after the 1998 GF, with a Crows supporting family right there with you, clearly nothing would've stopped you injecting that blue and white into your veins

 

[zoomba23]

Mine's far more boring than most, but **** it.

Dad and Mum both met by chance as 'soft' North supporters. Dad because his best mate was North when he arrived in Aus from NZ, and Mum because her stepdad's first real home where he wasn't treated like shit was in North Melbourne.

I had a choice, courtesy of their relatively lacklustre enthusiasm, but was always going to choose them anyway, because the colours were easily my favourite combo of the lot, and also because I saw how passionate my Pop (Mum's stepdad) was, and thought to myself that I want to feel that about something.

Brother chose Hawthorn and then promptly lost interest. Thank **** for that

 

[barnrokn]