Hey guys - i'm new here :-) first post, it might as well be about this..
I'm a long time supporter of the Dee's (albeit from afar these days) - My earliest memories revolve around this football club, running around th 'G till long after dark kicking goals, being in the rooms before and after games wearing one Robbie Flower's number 2 on back. You felt a part of the club, that you belonged
My biggest disappointment has been over the past few years has been that the AFL and ALL the clubs have become corporatised.... the supporters have been 'disestablishmentised' - players are off limits, you can't get on the ground for a kick. It seems that the bigger the AFL gets, the further away the cubs have been from the supporters. i feel the previous administrations of this club are somewhat to blame.
I was fortunate enough to fly back to melbourne this year for the queens B'day clash and was amazed by what i saw:
Firstly, we were greeted at the ground by hordes of demon fans brandishing red and blue flags making it to the 'G from Jimmies walk from federation square. I am lucky enough to have some connections and dined at the cotorie function - once again i was gobsmacked - connolls spoke with a deep passion for this footy club, bailey dropped in for a quick chat as it was going to be a special day. Ronald Dale Barassi was on hand as was the great Noel McMahon and together they presented one retiring David Neitz with a replica of the original coterie groups pledge to look after Ron following Barassi Srs death. I can tell you with a doubt there was not a dry eye in the room.
The club has an amazing history, but seems to have skipped a generation of supporters - the kids out there haven't been aware of our history, of our passion. All of a sudden with spruiking skills of connolls and schwabby, the passion of Jimmy and now the club is trying to harness a community spirit out at casey along with some future guns to put on show next season, i have some genuine hope for the future - players wanting to die for the jumper, to regain the 'us versus them' mentality, to really hurt after losing a winnable game, for supporters (new and old) to get behind our team
This administration seems to finally be getting it RIGHT. I'm senseing something happening about this football club. Football people running a football club just seems right