what do you miss at the grounds or surroundsfrom yesteryear

[Wedgie]

WINNING !

Oh, and Brian

Brian was a legend ... what did he say to the umpires anyway?

... and when did he sadly pass away?

He’s been gone quite a few years now. Someone else may know exactly how long.
Take a look at his memorial on the path against the eastern fence at Coopers and
spare him a thought next time you’re out there. It’s hard to imagine a more desperately
loyal supporter. Maybe it’s a blessing that he’s not around to see his reason for being,
Norwood, going through such a bad patch.

You’re right Dedja, Brian was a legend. Back when the public were not allowed onto
the ground during breaks he had special dispensation to go out and let the Umps know
just how badly they were getting it wrong. “More frees to Norwood!, They’re the best
team!, Make sure Norwood wins !” over and over, every week of every season, for
‘donkey’s years’.

The moment the siren sounded the Umpys would gather in the centre and just wait
for Brian to jump the fence with all his paraphernalia. Punters around the ground
would shout “there goes Brian” as his lop-sided gallop, with arms pumping, took
him full pelt to the centre, where the Umpires would be smiling their heads off in
anticipation of the coming (harmless) tirade.

On match days it was always great fun to ask Brian how Norwood were going to go.
“Oh we’ll win today. Norwood will win. They’re too good for so-and-so!”
It took a long time for him to quieten down and stop his one man forecasts as he sat
behind the fence on the eastern boundary.

I worked as a redcoat for a few years, and it was always a lark when walking the
boundary to say g’day to Brian, then call out…“How will Norwood go today?”
And off he’d go, yelling out how, when, where and why Norwood would bring home
the bacon. And all the crowd around him would shake their fists at me with mock
anger and yell “Thanks Very Much, We Just Got Him To Shut Up!”
Great fun with laughter all around. I’m not sure if he realised we were pulling his leg,
but he definitely enjoyed being part of the fun.

Most clubs have their ‘Brian’. Many of these wonderful characters have lived at
Minda Home I believe. Their passion, fervour and loyalty is an ornament of society
and our great game. We should always stop for a chat, or at least say hello in passing.

I’ve always wanted to ask a long time staff member of Minda what breakfast times
were like on Saturday mornings before a big round of matches. Can you imagine the
chaos with everyone flying the flag for their club and barracking at fever pitch, long
before the first bounce of the day.
What a riot !

For Norwood fan's, this one's hard to top as the best post EVER, what a great recollection mate.

Footy was so innocent back in those days, that whilst noone was allowed on the ground, they made an exception for Brian.

I used to crack up every week (usually a fullhouse back in those days) when Brian would run out at the 1/4 or 3/4 time break, then make his way to the umps, then charge off to the roars of the crowd .. You could see him running harder and harder as the cheers grew.

I remember a game sometime in the 80's at Footy Park (possibly a final given the size of the crowd) where Brian was either spoken to or manhandled by an official, and there were literally hundreds of people (and not just Norwood fans) stood up and prepared to back him up.

Agreed all round, great post Sabre. I was only talking to CP about him last Sunday and told him how I used to send letters to and fro with Brian when I was a tiny Legs fan in the 70s and would always go and speak to him at games, he was great fun to be around. He was quite 'with it' in those days but did sadly deteriorate in his latter years. His passing was very sad, Norwood Oval has never felt quite the same without him.

Alex from Sturt is always great fun to chat to although those around him when he screams out one point might disagree. Alex loves keeping his budget up to date and has quite often asked my help. I hope he lives to 100, a great character.

[SABRE]

Thank you for the kind words, but that post seemed to write itself.
Have you noticed how easily the right words spill out when it’s from the heart and
for the right reasons. It was spooky just how clearly I could see and hear Brian.
I guess those who bring a special spark into the world are never really gone.

THANK YOU !
To all the Brians out there.

[dedja]

there was kevin at the bay i think his surname was la vanda (or very similar) when he passed away cornesy said that he would hear kevin make comments towards the players & he thought if kevin understands what they are supposed to do why can't the players themselves

I remember Kevin. He used to do laps of the outer, usually had a bespectacled lass (also from Minda I assume) with him. Been wondering what happened to him for years. When did he pass on?

I think I remember him now ... he used to talk to everyone on the tram on the way to the game and you'd see him and his 'missus' in the city during the week, always decked out in Bays gear.

From memory, he'd never stop talking or singing ...

[71/72]

The Gibbs van on the outer near the scoreboard at Prospect in the early 70's, they had the best pies in those days.Also the demise of Snack chicken chips,they were the best chips of all time, haven't had a decent pack of chicken chips since! They were great days, Robran, a Gibbs pie and Snack chips, what more could a kid ask for.

[bayman]

there was kevin at the bay i think his surname was la vanda (or very similar) when he passed away cornesy said that he would hear kevin make comments towards the players & he thought if kevin understands what they are supposed to do why can't the players themselves

I remember Kevin. He used to do laps of the outer, usually had a bespectacled lass (also from Minda I assume) with him. Been wondering what happened to him for years. When did he pass on?

And I remember Brian well. Bays-Legs games haven't been the same without his voice in the crowd.

pseudo, i think your getting kevin mixed up with trevor (i think that was his name) & his lady partner who did wear glasses, trevor always (use to anyway) wear the colors of which ever team was on top....only saw them walking down jetty road a couple of weeks ago

[bayman]

there was kevin at the bay i think his surname was la vanda (or very similar) when he passed away cornesy said that he would hear kevin make comments towards the players & he thought if kevin understands what they are supposed to do why can't the players themselves

I remember Kevin. He used to do laps of the outer, usually had a bespectacled lass (also from Minda I assume) with him. Been wondering what happened to him for years. When did he pass on?

I think I remember him now ... he used to talk to everyone on the tram on the way to the game and you'd see him and his 'missus' in the city during the week, always decked out in Bays gear.

From memory, he'd never stop talking or singing ...

as i just put up that bloke isn't kevin la vanda (read above)

[dedja]

OK, ta ...

[bayman]

ahhh - we've all had a crush on a girl named Kelly.

especially kelly that works at the bay junction florist...she is hot

[Magpiespower]

Never forget that Central v Norwood thriller at Elizabeth in '97.

Legs got up by a point after the final siren sounded at about the 21 minute mark.

Crowd went nuts!

Almost a big blue between the rival cheer squads after the game.

Brian was right in the thick of it.

Actually, he was the main agitator!

[JK]

Never forget that Central v Norwood thriller at Elizabeth in '97.

Legs got up by a point after the final siren sounded at about the 21 minute mark.

Crowd went nuts!

Almost a big blue between the rival cheer squads after the game.

Brian was right in the thick of it.

Actually, he was the main agitator!

Due to my own footy committments I missed the majority of Legs games in the 90's, although I do recall us winning by 1pt at the kennel some time around then ... I might have to ask around to get a bit more info on this one.

[Magpiespower]

Due to my own footy committments I missed the majority of Legs games in the 90's, although I do recall us winning by 1pt at the kennel some time around then ... I might have to ask around to get a bit more info on this one.

Lizbeff was a bog that day. Almost the entire last quarter was played between the two half-forward lines.

Some 'excited' Doggies fans rushed the players race after the final siren to scream abuse at the umpires.

A mud-soaked Rowey goaded them all the way...

[Adelaide Hawk]

Never forget that Central v Norwood thriller at Elizabeth in '97.

Legs got up by a point after the final siren sounded at about the 21 minute mark.

Crowd went nuts!

Almost a big blue between the rival cheer squads after the game.

Brian was right in the thick of it.

Actually, he was the main agitator!

Due to my own footy committments I missed the majority of Legs games in the 90's, although I do recall us winning by 1pt at the kennel some time around then ... I might have to ask around to get a bit more info on this one.

That would have been 1996. Norwood 12-2 d. Central 11-7.

[Dogwatcher]

Rubbish kicking from the dogs!

[Dogwatcher]

I miss state games - when players in Victoria would return to form a team with the best from the SANFL.
For me, being a Doggies fan and not winning finals back then, those state games were as close to success as I got.

[stampy]

getting 50c worth of minimum chips

What year was that???

bayman u musta been a pig, cos i remember getting my [b]20c[b] worth at home games, the bloke who ran it used to be prepared for the hordes at half time with bags of hot chips at the ready, as for pilko i have always refered to him as pie man, can knock off 4 of them without trying, come to think of it i polished 5 off leaving morphettville a few years back, thats why i am slim and trim

[bayman]

getting 50c worth of minimum chips

What year was that???

bayman u musta been a pig, cos i remember getting my [b]20c[b] worth at home games, the bloke who ran it used to be prepared for the hordes at half time with bags of hot chips at the ready, as for pilko i have always refered to him as pie man, can knock off 4 of them without trying, come to think of it i polished 5 off leaving morphettville a few years back, thats why i am slim and trim

nah mate i'm not as old as you

[stampy]

there was kevin at the bay i think his surname was la vanda (or very similar) when he passed away cornesy said that he would hear kevin make comments towards the players & he thought if kevin understands what they are supposed to do why can't the players themselves

I remember Kevin. He used to do laps of the outer, usually had a bespectacled lass (also from Minda I assume) with him. Been wondering what happened to him for years. When did he pass on?

And I remember Brian well. Bays-Legs games haven't been the same without his voice in the crowd.

pseudo, i think your getting kevin mixed up with trevor (i think that was his name) & his lady partner who did wear glasses, trevor always (use to anyway) wear the colors of which ever team was on top....only saw them walking down jetty road a couple of weeks ago

i definitely remember kevin, dunno the trevor u r refering to though

[stampy]

the flockers, flags and the cloth signage tied tothe fence. big ben piees at footy park

+1

At the Bay, the banner on the fence (what is now Snouts Hill) went on forever ... I'm sure Bayman will remember but something like the The Terrific Tenacious Terrifying Tigers etc, etc

add tearaway to that dedj! oh and btw they were floggers bulldogs!

[stampy]

Some a little off topic and not in any particular order:
A Budget you could stick in your back pocket.
Red behind posts.
The best players in the state playing in the SANFL.
Woodville and West Torrens (4-6 wins a year).
South playing at Adelaide Oval.
Rod McLeod and Brian Lees.
Ressies on TV.
The Big Replay.
Ian Day.

Kenmax mark of the day.
Wally May and Max Hall ... used to hate it when Wally May would say the Bays are gone
Sandy Roberts and late night league teams.

... but none of these were at the grounds or surrounds though

the makita goal of the day,

who would win the "seiko"

"comment wally may"
"no comment"
"good comment"

[dedja]

the flockers, flags and the cloth signage tied tothe fence. big ben piees at footy park

+1

At the Bay, the banner on the fence (what is now Snouts Hill) went on forever ... I'm sure Bayman will remember but something like the The Terrific Tenacious Terrifying Tigers etc, etc

add tearaway to that dedj! oh and btw they were floggers bulldogs!

OK Stampy ... what order were they in?

The Terrific Tenacious Terrifying Tearaway Tigers???

And where is that banner now I wonder ...