Almost 50 years ago I began a lifelong passion of following the Eels. It was a passion borne out of my father’s love of the “Blue and Gold”, the same passion that he passed on to my mother and my brothers. Once it took hold of me, I was gone. I loved the footy and I loved the Eels.
Sundays at Cumberland Oval with the family, walking to the ground from my Northmead home when I was old enough, sneaking in at half time when I didn’t have enough money for admission – supporting Parra became the winter fabric of my childhood.
On the field, the lean years of the late 60s and early 70s gave way to the decade of pride as the Eels became a finals fixture from 1975 to 1986. The grand finals and premierships of that era gave me some of the most memorable days in my adult life. The thirty years since have been a mixture of challenges and great hope, yet through it all, my passion for the Eels has never waned.
Great moments and memories that can never be taken away.
Being a member, being a supporter of this mighty club has given me so much.
No boardroom stuff up, no media lynching is going to stop me from getting to the matches and getting behind my team.
Why? Because no matter what influence any of these individuals or organisations feel that they have, my connection with my team runs much deeper than that. I have too many great mates, too many great memories, too many great times ahead to let someone else stop me from doing what I love to do – getting to Parra Stadium and yelling myself stupid for the team.
Brad Arthur and the Parramatta team will get my support. BA bleeds blue and gold and he’s producing a team that will bleed for each other and their jersey. I write those words knowing them to be true. Now, more than ever, those players need to know that we are behind them.
Another great moment featuring the coach who is “a Parra boy through and through”.
On Saturday night against the Cowboys, I will be showing my support for the blokes that play in the colours that have meant so much to me. I hope to see many of you there letting the Parramatta players know that we’re behind them. I have a feeling that something special awaits us.
Sixties
It’d be good to get another 17k for Saturday night.
For me it’s all about the 80 minutes and how we perform. That’s why I support the club, to watch them play – not to get caught up in off field crap.
However, I can certainly understand how some fans are distraught with what is happening and the fear of the unknown. This will not impact the crowd or level of support of our team in my opinion. We have all stuck solid and will continue to do so.
I’ll be there again on Saturday evening with one of my grandsons, to watch the Eels win their first game of the season (just like last week)
I believe we may have developed a bit of a resilient team attitude to off field issues similar to that of the arch rival man.. can’t mention their name. That attitude of ignorance toward external influences was clearly stated by Danny Wicks and Corey Norman in public statements made on the Parra website.
Perhaps Choc, Keiran, Gutherson and James Hassan have brought more than we had hoped/paid for?
Thanks Ma, Maaa, Maaaa. still can’t say it! Go Parra!
Credit where it’s due. Doubt that there’s been a better football team for not letting board dramas affect them than Manly. I hate them but I acknowledge them.
Well said mate I have followed the club since 1961 and I love the place now as much as I did back then and maybe till they plant me. See you tomorrow with the other good mates that I have made.
Last time we stuck solid and cheered the boys on after a week where almost every news outlet was against us, and almost everything pointed towards a Dragons win, the boys pulled through and gave us a close win for the fans to remember. The solidarity at the end of that match and the jubilation of both fans and players will stick in my memory forever. It was the game where we stuck it to everyone, and the victory lap at the end of the match with BA topped off the celebrations. Let’s hope a similar backs to the wall mentality brings us home Saturday night, I’ll be there for sure, its an opportunity no fan wants to miss.
I was forced to watch that game from home last year due to my broken leg. I can’t tell you how envious I was of the fans there that night against the Dragons.
Well said 60’s, 41st year for me in supporting the mighty Eels. Whilst the board room stuff puts a dampener on things my resolve to 100% support the players who go out there each week is as strong as it was 41 yrs ago.
Great read mate, il be there nice and early tomorrow night.
53rd season for me. Loved every one of them.
To be honest, Ive stopped reading the media beat ups. Its very apparent to me that Parramatta sell papers so there is always going to be some journo looking for an opportunity to feed the beast.
My greatest wish is for those who call themselves Parramatta supporters but do whatever they can to bring our great club down, leave and never return.
So true Mate…Luv ya work..
I can remember the excitement when The Colonel signed Ron Boden on the Kangaroo 1959 tour as Captain/Coach…along with Paul Pyers….and the thrill of the first game of the 1960 season – Match of the Day v St George at the SCG…Parra NEVER got the match of the day..Had a terrific set of trial matches -went into the match with expectations only to see Paul Pyers have his jaw shattered by a head high tackle by Norm Provan..
Funny how things like that stick in your memory….
Parra has been my life ever since. Expectations are higher now than they were way back then…..I was 15 at the time – these were my impressionable years – and first impressions always count….
Jack was the manager on that kangaroo tour and signed boden behind peoples backs and was barred from arl from ever holding another position ..FACT !!
Here Here Sixties. Good one. My first year was 76 when I was a wee 6 year old. Seeing us do the wedge in the GF. Dads tv broke down, so we ran up the road to Pa’s house. Good memories although we lost. That was my first real taste of Parra..and I still have my retro “DUX” gurnsey.
What a game! Didn’t the players aim up in a big way!!! Felt proud to wear the colours!