I spent the first 8 years of my life living on Brunswick Rd (just an Ang Christou drop punt from Princes Park), and then moved to East Brunswick. Went to Princes Hill Primary School and about 80% of the kids followed Carlton. Gerald Burke (the old Carlton secretary) would pop in every few weeks and bring us footies to use.
In 1962 and 1963, and old guy called Jack who had some kind of 1930s black car, used to pick me up every Tuesday and Thursday and take me to training - I was 9 and 10. He'd talk to his old mates and I'd chase balls and autographs. I'd then go into the rooms and sit and talk to Peter Barry, Jim Carroll (Turkey Tom's cousin) and Serge Silvagni - I was always too scared to say boo to big John. He once walked by bare footed and I was wearing those old style big black footy boots. He accidentally stood on my toe and it hurt for weeks .......
In 1964, I had a Carlton jumper with the number 1 on my back, and a duffel coat with 2 Herald badges - one on each sleeve. One was the Carlton emblem/logo (SERIF!!!!) and the other was a cloth photo of the captain - Silvagni!! And I went to my first game at Princes Park with my dad (his first and only game) - Carlton vs Collingwood. A draw.
I went to a few games in 1965 and 1966, and then bought my first membership (Junior) in 1967. So my first REAL game, as a MEMBER, going not as a little kid (I was 14) was Round 1 1967 - Carlton vs Fitzroy. Jezza's first game. I think it was Brian Kekovich's first game, and it might have even been Perce Jones' first game. And then my going to the footy full-time coincided with Carlton's greatest era. Was I lucky or what??!! 8 premierships in the next 27 years!!! One every three and a half years!!!
And every game, standing behind the goals at the Heatley Stand end, provided something special. New players like Crosswell, Jackson, McKay, Doull, Johnno, Buckley, Sheldon, Fitzie's first game, Buzz's mark, Walls kicking 10 against Richmond - unbelievable. The record score against Hawthorn (30.30.210) where Jezza kicked 7, Perce kicked 6, Crosswell kicked 4 from the wing in one quarter.
And then those amazing away games. Windy Hill in 1974 or 75 when we kicked 14 goals in the 2nd quarter, games at Moorabbin where we always SMASHED the Saints, Jezza's first game as coach at Victoria Park where we beat the filthy ferrals, Jezza's 100th goal at the MCG, where I ran onto the ground with 1000s of others, the 1970 GF. Wow, where to stop?
Even the losses were memorable. Neale Daniher (hate him with a passion, even though he's probably a good bloke), Neil Balme (hate him with an even greater passion, even though I have friends who know him well and say he's a good bloke).
And then throughout the 1990s thru July 2000, I lived in the USA. I watched the 1993 GF (on a Friday night over there) with a mate and almost reached through the TV to strangle Long. And then I watched the 1995 GF (with the same mate) and showed him what Aussie footy was really like!!!!! And every season, I'd scour the channels to find some Carlton games, but whenever anyone came to visit from Australia, I always got the same things - a jar of Vegemite, a jar of Rosella pickles, some packets of Fruit pastilles, and about 10 giant VHS tapes with Carlton games, Footy Shows, panels, you name it. And then I'd be in heaven for the next few nights eating my Aussie food and watching the Blues on TV. And in 2000, I found some internet thingy where I could actually listen to bits of games, and heard some of the Kouta magic. Boy, great memories,
Why do I love Carlton? God, I could could fill a book. I've been through the ups and downs. I endured Walls leaving, Jezza leaving. I've already endured so much internal fighting - when I started, Ken Hands was the coach. I endured the 70s - 1973 through 1978, when we had the best players but were too scared to win. And now I've endured the 2002-2007 years and watched hacks go around for the club, and seen players like Fev and Houla and T-Bird and Waite give their all for the club and still get lambasted because their all wasn't good enough.
Why do I love Carlton? Because just wait and see what happens in the next 5-10 years. Guys, as Al Jolson said - "You aint seen nothing yet!!!!"
This group Juddy, Murph, Gibbs, Kreuze, Fev, Waite, Simmo, Tex, Eddie, etc - they're as good as any we've seen. And they're gonna give us no 17, 18, and 19 in the next little bit.
Why do I love Carlton??? BECAUSE I DO!!! (And flower the rest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
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Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!
After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
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FAQ
Deano, can I share something with you....I read your seminal post two years ago(?) and I was moved; at that stage, I was despairing- we were crap and we were fighting everybody about being, well, crap (I guess). My work colleagues knew , to get a rise out of me, just taunt me about Carlton and watch him go! And the worst offender was a diehard Essendon* supporter- kept laughing at me about our anticipated rise. So, one night, after I'd finished a shift, I went on TC and came across your post, Deano- so thanks for your inspiring account! 
) and I'd reminded them of their one useful purpose- being Carlton's bitches! Even when I lived OS and in London, I went to Australia House and followed the fortunes of Carlton through the papers (before the internet) and as the had a pinboard display of the latest scores from the weekend- and I danced like a lunatic when I discovered we'd beaten the Bummers at PP for the first time in 5 years, by 52 points (if you don't mind!)- Rd 18, 1985. Carlton has sustained me like not many interests can (apart from my family, that is); the flags, my brothers (all four of us follow the mighty Bluebaggers); the horror of '93; the sheer joy of '99; and reading all and sundry on TC. I love all the contribution each of you have made; however, I want to make special mention to some posters who kept me laughing and smiling during the bleak days of 2002 to 2007- Agro, Synners, Deano, DUC, Doc Sherrin and Blueman. Just when I'd lose hope, you guys I'd read to make some sense of what was going on. So, many thanks- and what a great family you all are!
