Fans. They come in all shapes and sizes, or in this case if the name be known, invisible.
If you watched a years worth of football you'd probably notice a few things about Bulldogs supporters.
The Bulldogs are lucky enough to have one of the most diverse group of fans in the NRL.
In the words of the famous Michael Jackson, it don't matter if your black or white as come game day everyone is part of the same family (The Bulldogs family) where Blue and white is the colour of choice.
Not only does the Bulldogs have a diverse range of cultures making up the supporter base, but it also has following from young and old. Dubbed "the family club", it's great to see elderly people turning up to see the side they've supported since young children, and parents bringing their young children along to bring up another generation of Blue and White supporters.
Then you have the personalities. Some are quiet and chew their nails to bits, whilst others stare contently almost trying to use some form of mind control on our players. Then there are the guys that make all the noise. You've probably heard them, if not seen them on TV. The Army, that's them.
Perched in The Kennel, the Army are a group of loyal supporters that really add the atmosphere and noise to pump up the rest of the supporters.
You can't build a house without the frame. If The Kennel is the house, then the Army is the frame. Welcome to ANZ, this IS our house!
However I'd like to talk about a different sort of supporter now, one we sadly had to spot this weekend. If you saw the game this weekend you may know where this ship is headed.
But before I go off on a tangent, lets just reflect on what a fan really is.
Defined as "an ardent (emotional/enthusiastic) follower and admirer", it's pretty clear that most of the people out there on Sunday afternoon were fans. They laughed, they cried, they thrust their banners into the air and waved around their flags.
Excited for a win, humble in defeat. That's not to say that a fan doesn't have an opinion on how their side is performing though.
But coming back to a earlier point, does thrusting a banner high in the sky criticising our coach and captain in any way exhibit qualities that could be considered as an "enthusiastic follower" or "admirer". I'd have to argue no, which begs the question then... would a true fan EVER bring such a banner into a game?
Did these so called "fans" sit on their banner throughout the part of the game when the Bulldogs looked to stage a comeback? Lets not forget banners aren't made overnight, so pre-meditation was at play here as well.
To me these people aren't "fans" at all. They are in that same league of "fans" who think that a punch up at the football, or vandalism to others property is funny/ok to do.
The Bulldogs club and Army have done incredibly well to forge a much better image of late than the dark days of problem fans, however I can't help but feel that the banner displayed on the weekend is almost a step in the wrong direction.
Alas, I'm sure there are two guys out there probably gloating about having their big head on TV on the weekend holding that sign. That's fine however there is a flipside to every situation. Every true banner holder, every kid waving their flag in the crowd, every elderly fan watching on TV, every true blue supporter who has blue and white in their hearts and in their blood, they know your face, they know who you are, and I'm sure they'll remember you at the next game.
It's not a threat, it's not even an aggressive comment, it's just a plain simple observation..
Whilst everyone can hide behind a mask, and vent their opinions in a differing fashion, by putting your face up on the big screen there is only one thing you've shown every other Bulldogs fan out there.
That you are in no way a true Bulldogs fan.
I'll leave with a quote from undeniably one of our true custodians, Mr Luke Patten, who had something to say about this via his twitter account:
"True fans get behind the club when times are tough not make stupid banners!"
Thanks Luke, not only a truly great player for our club, but a true Bulldogs fan.
If you watched a years worth of football you'd probably notice a few things about Bulldogs supporters.
The Bulldogs are lucky enough to have one of the most diverse group of fans in the NRL.
In the words of the famous Michael Jackson, it don't matter if your black or white as come game day everyone is part of the same family (The Bulldogs family) where Blue and white is the colour of choice.
Not only does the Bulldogs have a diverse range of cultures making up the supporter base, but it also has following from young and old. Dubbed "the family club", it's great to see elderly people turning up to see the side they've supported since young children, and parents bringing their young children along to bring up another generation of Blue and White supporters.
Then you have the personalities. Some are quiet and chew their nails to bits, whilst others stare contently almost trying to use some form of mind control on our players. Then there are the guys that make all the noise. You've probably heard them, if not seen them on TV. The Army, that's them.
Perched in The Kennel, the Army are a group of loyal supporters that really add the atmosphere and noise to pump up the rest of the supporters.
You can't build a house without the frame. If The Kennel is the house, then the Army is the frame. Welcome to ANZ, this IS our house!
However I'd like to talk about a different sort of supporter now, one we sadly had to spot this weekend. If you saw the game this weekend you may know where this ship is headed.
But before I go off on a tangent, lets just reflect on what a fan really is.
Defined as "an ardent (emotional/enthusiastic) follower and admirer", it's pretty clear that most of the people out there on Sunday afternoon were fans. They laughed, they cried, they thrust their banners into the air and waved around their flags.
Excited for a win, humble in defeat. That's not to say that a fan doesn't have an opinion on how their side is performing though.
But coming back to a earlier point, does thrusting a banner high in the sky criticising our coach and captain in any way exhibit qualities that could be considered as an "enthusiastic follower" or "admirer". I'd have to argue no, which begs the question then... would a true fan EVER bring such a banner into a game?
Did these so called "fans" sit on their banner throughout the part of the game when the Bulldogs looked to stage a comeback? Lets not forget banners aren't made overnight, so pre-meditation was at play here as well.
To me these people aren't "fans" at all. They are in that same league of "fans" who think that a punch up at the football, or vandalism to others property is funny/ok to do.
The Bulldogs club and Army have done incredibly well to forge a much better image of late than the dark days of problem fans, however I can't help but feel that the banner displayed on the weekend is almost a step in the wrong direction.
Alas, I'm sure there are two guys out there probably gloating about having their big head on TV on the weekend holding that sign. That's fine however there is a flipside to every situation. Every true banner holder, every kid waving their flag in the crowd, every elderly fan watching on TV, every true blue supporter who has blue and white in their hearts and in their blood, they know your face, they know who you are, and I'm sure they'll remember you at the next game.
It's not a threat, it's not even an aggressive comment, it's just a plain simple observation..
Whilst everyone can hide behind a mask, and vent their opinions in a differing fashion, by putting your face up on the big screen there is only one thing you've shown every other Bulldogs fan out there.
That you are in no way a true Bulldogs fan.
I'll leave with a quote from undeniably one of our true custodians, Mr Luke Patten, who had something to say about this via his twitter account:
"True fans get behind the club when times are tough not make stupid banners!"
Thanks Luke, not only a truly great player for our club, but a true Bulldogs fan.
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