Death of Fitzroy

[Enrico_Misso]

To commemorate the 15th year since they played their last game. 3LO had a wonderful special on this afternoon documenting the death of Fitzroy.

Incredibly sad.
Documented just how devastated their hard core supporters were and still are.

My greatest fear is that might be us one day.

On the field when we are in a position to win premierships we miss out.
Off the field we are about to record a $1.5m loss despite an era of comparative success.

What will happen when we drop down the ladder.
Will we be the next Fitzroy?

[borderbarry]

The Roys were always my second club. It was a sad day when they folded.

[bobmurray]

Couldn't stand fitzroy.....definitely didn't like losing to the nomads.....

Don't miss them at all.....

[defacto]

there are alot of similarities that are scaring me. fitzroy became nomads, moving grounds and losing a supporter base. whilst st kilda hasnt suffered a large loss of the surporter base, we have moved our base a number of times in our history. we also sit around 8-10th for total membership and recently posted ~7,500 lapsed members.

the other thing that worries me is our poor images and loss of sponsorship, right after our peak. we need strong sponsorship when we go through our rebuild to account for any reduction in membership.

our stadia deal, debt levels and this years loss also scares me.

we should not take anything for granted and should go about correcting this ASAP. you cannot keep posting 1.5 million dollar losses when you are already in such large debt.

[saintnick12]

To commemorate the 15th year since they played their last game. 3LO had a wonderful special on this afternoon documenting the death of Fitzroy.

Incredibly sad.
Documented just how devastated their hard core supporters were and still are.

My greatest fear is that might be us one day.

On the field when we are in a position to win premierships we miss out.
Off the field we are about to record a $1.5m loss despite an era of comparative success.

What will happen when we drop down the ladder.
Will we be the next Fitzroy?

I was originally a ROYs supporter and lived through the death of my football club. The merged club never worked for me. My team died.
I became a Sainter as they had always been my second team and my mum had always been a Saints fan. We all went to the Geelong-Saints final in the 90's as a family. I wanted to bring my kids up going to the footy every week and having that passion and sharing it with them. Not possible when your team has died. The option was give up on footy altogether, follow the merged team, or choose another team.

The decision to barrack for the Saints came in the 97 finals series. When I was more upset at the Saints losing the GF, than Brisbane being knocked out in an elimination, I knew in my heart that real Lions had died and that I was a Sainter from that moment on. My older son was 2 at the time and he never looked back, now 16 and one of the most passionate sainters you will ever find. People often ask about the Brisbane premierships and whether I thought I missed out. Not at all. I was happy for the ex Fitzroy players but there was no Fitzroy in it for me.
People also ask if you can have the same passion and you certainly can. I have watched my sons grow up as Sainters and shared the ups and downs of the journey from the failed 97 campaign to now, attending most games and all the finals including all three of the GF's in the past few years. I have watched this group grow and develop from the beginning and am a Sainter through and through.

I loved it when Ross was appointed Saints coach, not least because of his links back to my past as he was a Fitzroy player during my time growing up. However, after this weeks actions, my opinion is simple....don't let the door hit you on the way out.... We need to do whatever we can to get the best available coach and reload for another tilt. I still think this group has the chance to achieve the ultimate.

The Saints are in no danger of becoming like Fitzroy. The biggest problem for Fitzroy was lack of members. This was great as a young child growing up as we could always get access to the players. You attended a family day and could get up close and personal with players , get autographs, go into the rooms after wins. I still remember meeting Paul Roos when he was 17 and the next big thing, and loved him from that moment on. I was about 10 at the time, and I think I developed a bit of a girly crush that I've never quite lost.
THe saints membership base and broader supporter base is far too big to allow it to go the way of Fitzroy, thank god.

FQF

[Dr Spaceman]

there are alot of similarities that are scaring me. fitzroy became nomads, moving grounds and losing a supporter base. whilst st kilda hasnt suffered a large loss of the surporter base, we have moved our base a number of times in our history. we also sit around 8-10th for total membership and recently posted ~7,500 lapsed members.

the other thing that worries me is our poor images and loss of sponsorship, right after our peak. we need strong sponsorship when we go through our rebuild to account for any reduction in membership.

our stadia deal, debt levels and this years loss also scares me.

we should not take anything for granted and should go about correcting this ASAP. you cannot keep posting 1.5 million dollar losses when you are already in such large debt.

Well unlike some on here I reckon the Seaford move will assist in these areas.

Positioning the club amongst the enormous population of the Mornington Peninsula, rather than trying to get back to our druggie and prostitute riddled home town, has to be a move in the right direction.

And significantly less expensive also.

[stinger]

there are alot of similarities that are scaring me. fitzroy became nomads, moving grounds and losing a supporter base. whilst st kilda hasnt suffered a large loss of the surporter base, we have moved our base a number of times in our history. we also sit around 8-10th for total membership and recently posted ~7,500 lapsed members.

the other thing that worries me is our poor images and loss of sponsorship, right after our peak. we need strong sponsorship when we go through our rebuild to account for any reduction in membership.

our stadia deal, debt levels and this years loss also scares me.

we should not take anything for granted and should go about correcting this ASAP. you cannot keep posting 1.5 million dollar losses when you are already in such large debt.

Well unlike some on here I reckon the Seaford move will assist in these areas.

Positioning the club amongst the enormous population of the Mornington Peninsula, rather than trying to get back to our druggie and prostitute riddled home town, has to be a move in the right direction.

And significantly less expensive also.

+1

[Moods]

To commemorate the 15th year since they played their last game. 3LO had a wonderful special on this afternoon documenting the death of Fitzroy.

Incredibly sad.
Documented just how devastated their hard core supporters were and still are.

My greatest fear is that might be us one day.

On the field when we are in a position to win premierships we miss out.
Off the field we are about to record a $1.5m loss despite an era of comparative success.

What will happen when we drop down the ladder.
Will we be the next Fitzroy?

I was originally a ROYs supporter and lived through the death of my football club. The merged club never worked for me. My team died.
I became a Sainter as they had always been my second team and my mum had always been a Saints fan. We all went to the Geelong-Saints final in the 90's as a family. I wanted to bring my kids up going to the footy every week and having that passion and sharing it with them. Not possible when your team has died. The option was give up on footy altogether, follow the merged team, or choose another team.

The decision to barrack for the Saints came in the 97 finals series. When I was more upset at the Saints losing the GF, than Brisbane being knocked out in an elimination, I knew in my heart that real Lions had died and that I was a Sainter from that moment on. My older son was 2 at the time and he never looked back, now 16 and one of the most passionate sainters you will ever find. People often ask about the Brisbane premierships and whether I thought I missed out. Not at all. I was happy for the ex Fitzroy players but there was no Fitzroy in it for me.
People also ask if you can have the same passion and you certainly can. I have watched my sons grow up as Sainters and shared the ups and downs of the journey from the failed 97 campaign to now, attending most games and all the finals including all three of the GF's in the past few years. I have watched this group grow and develop from the beginning and am a Sainter through and through.

I loved it when Ross was appointed Saints coach, not least because of his links back to my past as he was a Fitzroy player during my time growing up. However, after this weeks actions, my opinion is simple....don't let the door hit you on the way out.... We need to do whatever we can to get the best available coach and reload for another tilt. I still think this group has the chance to achieve the ultimate.

The Saints are in no danger of becoming like Fitzroy. The biggest problem for Fitzroy was lack of members. This was great as a young child growing up as we could always get access to the players. You attended a family day and could get up close and personal with players , get autographs, go into the rooms after wins. I still remember meeting Paul Roos when he was 17 and the next big thing, and loved him from that moment on. I was about 10 at the time, and I think I developed a bit of a girly crush that I've never quite lost.
THe saints membership base and broader supporter base is far too big to allow it to go the way of Fitzroy, thank god.

FQF

Well said saintnick12

The Roys will always be my first love. Without sounding too disrespectful to those who have lost loved ones, I sometimes feel like a widower who has found love again with the saints. The passion burns again, and I will be eternally grateful to the StKilda footy club for giving me that.

I love going to the footy with my 11 year old daughter and am rapt that she has now found the same passion with footy that I experienced growing up as a kid. In the elim final it warmed my heart to hear her screaming out 'BALL' all at the correct times. At half time she commented that we were getting smashed at the clearances. Whilst sad the saints lost, was overjoyed that after a few years she finally starting to really understand the game. This would never have happened if it wasn't for the saints.

I couldn't bare to lose another club, and would probably lose a lot of interest in the AFL altogether. THis is an important time for our club - we do not have the financial backing of the AFL like the Brisbane do, who the AFL need to succeed. They don't need us to succeed. It's imperative that as a collective that regardless of whether we are pissed off with the club for allowing Lyon to leave or pissed off with Lyon for walking out the door and leaving us high and dry, that we all stick fat. WE can't do much for a footy club, other than buy memberships and turn up to games..... If I learnt anything from the demise of the Roys it was that!

[clarky449]

Worried too but if we survived during the 80's surely it would take an absolute disaster for us to fold.

[Dr Spaceman]

Worried too but if we survived during the 80's surely it would take an absolute disaster for us to fold.

At the moment we have a buffer.

It's called North Melbourne.

[bigred]

Two good mates of mine were Fitzroy supporters... Hardcore. Hard freakin core Fitzroy.

They dont follow footy anymore at all.

[asaint]

We are safe...the press would have nothing to write about if there was no St Kilda

[Junction Oval]

As a city, Melbourne is not strong enough to support 10AFL Clubs (incl G'long) and their ever increasinfg spending into the future. The strong will get stronger and the weak will fall away. Supporting Gold Coast and especially GWS will cost the AFL an enormous amount over the years - too much the way the competition is currently set up IMO.

Clubs including ours are in trouble already and things will get worse as the world financial markets again go into turmoil.

We need to stay as competitve as we can for the next few years, whether or not we can win the elusive premiership, as our performance will influence the attainment of Sponsors.

The Board needs to deliver on "alternative" revenue stream options to keep the Football Club alive.

[Teflon]

To commemorate the 15th year since they played their last game. 3LO had a wonderful special on this afternoon documenting the death of Fitzroy.

Incredibly sad.
Documented just how devastated their hard core supporters were and still are.

My greatest fear is that might be us one day.

On the field when we are in a position to win premierships we miss out.
Off the field we are about to record a $1.5m loss despite an era of comparative success.

What will happen when we drop down the ladder.
Will we be the next Fitzroy?

I was originally a ROYs supporter and lived through the death of my football club. The merged club never worked for me. My team died.
I became a Sainter as they had always been my second team and my mum had always been a Saints fan. We all went to the Geelong-Saints final in the 90's as a family. I wanted to bring my kids up going to the footy every week and having that passion and sharing it with them. Not possible when your team has died. The option was give up on footy altogether, follow the merged team, or choose another team.

The decision to barrack for the Saints came in the 97 finals series. When I was more upset at the Saints losing the GF, than Brisbane being knocked out in an elimination, I knew in my heart that real Lions had died and that I was a Sainter from that moment on. My older son was 2 at the time and he never looked back, now 16 and one of the most passionate sainters you will ever find. People often ask about the Brisbane premierships and whether I thought I missed out. Not at all. I was happy for the ex Fitzroy players but there was no Fitzroy in it for me.
People also ask if you can have the same passion and you certainly can. I have watched my sons grow up as Sainters and shared the ups and downs of the journey from the failed 97 campaign to now, attending most games and all the finals including all three of the GF's in the past few years. I have watched this group grow and develop from the beginning and am a Sainter through and through.

I loved it when Ross was appointed Saints coach, not least because of his links back to my past as he was a Fitzroy player during my time growing up. However, after this weeks actions, my opinion is simple....don't let the door hit you on the way out.... We need to do whatever we can to get the best available coach and reload for another tilt. I still think this group has the chance to achieve the ultimate.

The Saints are in no danger of becoming like Fitzroy. The biggest problem for Fitzroy was lack of members. This was great as a young child growing up as we could always get access to the players. You attended a family day and could get up close and personal with players , get autographs, go into the rooms after wins. I still remember meeting Paul Roos when he was 17 and the next big thing, and loved him from that moment on. I was about 10 at the time, and I think I developed a bit of a girly crush that I've never quite lost.
THe saints membership base and broader supporter base is far too big to allow it to go the way of Fitzroy, thank god.

FQF

Ex Roy here to Saintnick.

Could never get excited bout the Brisbane link - AFL sold us out.
I also get asked bout Brisbane winning 3 flags...to me its the same as West Coast or any other interstate club...FFS Brisbanes colors and the maroon isnt even that of Fitzroy.

I gave up footy for a while - but cricket just gave me the shytes and always had St Kilda as my second fav side. Im glad I did and have as much passion for Saints as I ever had for the Roys...

One good thing bout the Roys...we always seemed to beat the pies when it mattered....

[Moods]

To commemorate the 15th year since they played their last game. 3LO had a wonderful special on this afternoon documenting the death of Fitzroy.

Incredibly sad.
Documented just how devastated their hard core supporters were and still are.

My greatest fear is that might be us one day.

On the field when we are in a position to win premierships we miss out.
Off the field we are about to record a $1.5m loss despite an era of comparative success.

What will happen when we drop down the ladder.
Will we be the next Fitzroy?

I was originally a ROYs supporter and lived through the death of my football club. The merged club never worked for me. My team died.
I became a Sainter as they had always been my second team and my mum had always been a Saints fan. We all went to the Geelong-Saints final in the 90's as a family. I wanted to bring my kids up going to the footy every week and having that passion and sharing it with them. Not possible when your team has died. The option was give up on footy altogether, follow the merged team, or choose another team.

The decision to barrack for the Saints came in the 97 finals series. When I was more upset at the Saints losing the GF, than Brisbane being knocked out in an elimination, I knew in my heart that real Lions had died and that I was a Sainter from that moment on. My older son was 2 at the time and he never looked back, now 16 and one of the most passionate sainters you will ever find. People often ask about the Brisbane premierships and whether I thought I missed out. Not at all. I was happy for the ex Fitzroy players but there was no Fitzroy in it for me.
People also ask if you can have the same passion and you certainly can. I have watched my sons grow up as Sainters and shared the ups and downs of the journey from the failed 97 campaign to now, attending most games and all the finals including all three of the GF's in the past few years. I have watched this group grow and develop from the beginning and am a Sainter through and through.

I loved it when Ross was appointed Saints coach, not least because of his links back to my past as he was a Fitzroy player during my time growing up. However, after this weeks actions, my opinion is simple....don't let the door hit you on the way out.... We need to do whatever we can to get the best available coach and reload for another tilt. I still think this group has the chance to achieve the ultimate.

The Saints are in no danger of becoming like Fitzroy. The biggest problem for Fitzroy was lack of members. This was great as a young child growing up as we could always get access to the players. You attended a family day and could get up close and personal with players , get autographs, go into the rooms after wins. I still remember meeting Paul Roos when he was 17 and the next big thing, and loved him from that moment on. I was about 10 at the time, and I think I developed a bit of a girly crush that I've never quite lost.
THe saints membership base and broader supporter base is far too big to allow it to go the way of Fitzroy, thank god.

FQF

Ex Roy here to Saintnick.

Could never get excited bout the Brisbane link - AFL sold us out.
I also get asked bout Brisbane winning 3 flags...to me its the same as West Coast or any other interstate club...FFS Brisbanes colors and the maroon isnt even that of Fitzroy.

I gave up footy for a while - but cricket just gave me the shytes and always had St Kilda as my second fav side. Im glad I did and have as much passion for Saints as I ever had for the Roys...

One good thing bout the Roys...we always seemed to beat the pies when it mattered....

You're obviously not old enough to recall the 79 1st semi, the 81 1st semi, and the 84 elimination final Teflon? Yeah we had some good wins against them to make the finals but never seemed able to beat them when it actually DID matter....

[Teflon]

I remember Conlans goal to put them out of the finals and I cant remember the year...

Yeah I was young but made it to the Roys last Melb game.......we got flogged but we got a guard of honour from a Richmond side that had quite a few ex Roys in it.

I'll never forget leaving the ground trying to buy some memorabillia and the lot had been sold - there were fans from so many other clubs there buying stuff....felt like a funeral.

[Bernard Shakey]

there are alot of similarities that are scaring me. fitzroy became nomads, moving grounds and losing a supporter base. whilst st kilda hasnt suffered a large loss of the surporter base, we have moved our base a number of times in our history. we also sit around 8-10th for total membership and recently posted ~7,500 lapsed members.

the other thing that worries me is our poor images and loss of sponsorship, right after our peak. we need strong sponsorship when we go through our rebuild to account for any reduction in membership.

our stadia deal, debt levels and this years loss also scares me.

we should not take anything for granted and should go about correcting this ASAP. you cannot keep posting 1.5 million dollar losses when you are already in such large debt.

Well unlike some on here I reckon the Seaford move will assist in these areas.

Positioning the club amongst the enormous population of the Mornington Peninsula, rather than trying to get back to our druggie and prostitute riddled home town, has to be a move in the right direction.

And significantly less expensive also.

More druggies in Frankston than St Kilda these days. As for prostitutes they're everywhere.

[Teflon]

[As for prostitutes they're everywhere.

just ask Ross...

[saintnick12]

To commemorate the 15th year since they played their last game. 3LO had a wonderful special on this afternoon documenting the death of Fitzroy.

Incredibly sad.
Documented just how devastated their hard core supporters were and still are.

My greatest fear is that might be us one day.

On the field when we are in a position to win premierships we miss out.
Off the field we are about to record a $1.5m loss despite an era of comparative success.

What will happen when we drop down the ladder.
Will we be the next Fitzroy?

I was originally a ROYs supporter and lived through the death of my football club. The merged club never worked for me. My team died.
I became a Sainter as they had always been my second team and my mum had always been a Saints fan. We all went to the Geelong-Saints final in the 90's as a family. I wanted to bring my kids up going to the footy every week and having that passion and sharing it with them. Not possible when your team has died. The option was give up on footy altogether, follow the merged team, or choose another team.

The decision to barrack for the Saints came in the 97 finals series. When I was more upset at the Saints losing the GF, than Brisbane being knocked out in an elimination, I knew in my heart that real Lions had died and that I was a Sainter from that moment on. My older son was 2 at the time and he never looked back, now 16 and one of the most passionate sainters you will ever find. People often ask about the Brisbane premierships and whether I thought I missed out. Not at all. I was happy for the ex Fitzroy players but there was no Fitzroy in it for me.
People also ask if you can have the same passion and you certainly can. I have watched my sons grow up as Sainters and shared the ups and downs of the journey from the failed 97 campaign to now, attending most games and all the finals including all three of the GF's in the past few years. I have watched this group grow and develop from the beginning and am a Sainter through and through.

I loved it when Ross was appointed Saints coach, not least because of his links back to my past as he was a Fitzroy player during my time growing up. However, after this weeks actions, my opinion is simple....don't let the door hit you on the way out.... We need to do whatever we can to get the best available coach and reload for another tilt. I still think this group has the chance to achieve the ultimate.

The Saints are in no danger of becoming like Fitzroy. The biggest problem for Fitzroy was lack of members. This was great as a young child growing up as we could always get access to the players. You attended a family day and could get up close and personal with players , get autographs, go into the rooms after wins. I still remember meeting Paul Roos when he was 17 and the next big thing, and loved him from that moment on. I was about 10 at the time, and I think I developed a bit of a girly crush that I've never quite lost.
THe saints membership base and broader supporter base is far too big to allow it to go the way of Fitzroy, thank god.

FQF

Ex Roy here to Saintnick.

Could never get excited bout the Brisbane link - AFL sold us out.
I also get asked bout Brisbane winning 3 flags...to me its the same as West Coast or any other interstate club...FFS Brisbanes colors and the maroon isnt even that of Fitzroy.

I gave up footy for a while - but cricket just gave me the shytes and always had St Kilda as my second fav side. Im glad I did and have as much passion for Saints as I ever had for the Roys...

One good thing bout the Roys...we always seemed to beat the pies when it mattered....

You're obviously not old enough to recall the 79 1st semi, the 81 1st semi, and the 84 elimination final Teflon? Yeah we had some good wins against them to make the finals but never seemed able to beat them when it actually DID matter....

Not sure about Teflon, but I can only vaguely remember those late seventies games as I was only a child.

My two favourite games ever are the 1986 Elimination final vs Essendon at Waverley where we sat there all day in the pouring rain and then Conlan kicked the winning goal. Not an original choice for favourite game. My other favourite would be the Collingwood one at Princes Park where Perty was playing for Collingwood and kicked a goal to put them in front and then Roosy kicked the winning goal. I nearly got crushed in the mayhem after that goal (I was about 20 at the time if my memory serves me correctly).
Just looked it up...here's the You Tube link

still one of my favourite Fitzroy games ever. I was behind those goals and nearly got crushed by all the guys around me - footy has certainly changed since those days.

By the way, few shots of Lyon in that clip too.

[Teflon]

Tks Saintnick I got my games mixed up re conlan.

Knew we beat Pies somewhere significant....

Geez we had some decent players, Roos, Boyd, Pert, Armstrong, Blakey, Wilson, Conlan, Quinlan (earlier)...

[saintnick12]

Tks Saintnick I got my games mixed up re conlan.

Knew we beat Pies somewhere significant....

Geez we had some decent players, Roos, Boyd, Pert, Armstrong, Blakey, Wilson, Conlan, Quinlan (earlier)...

We sure did.

I love it that my older son (16) will look back on this past decade in the same way and look at our gun players and how good they were. He still wears Harvey's number on his back and my younger son (4) is just in love with Riewoldt...the other day he said to me ....Mummy, just call me Riewoldt....lol....

[kalsaint]

To commemorate the 15th year since they played their last game. 3LO had a wonderful special on this afternoon documenting the death of Fitzroy.

Incredibly sad.
Documented just how devastated their hard core supporters were and still are.

My greatest fear is that might be us one day.

On the field when we are in a position to win premierships we miss out.
Off the field we are about to record a $1.5m loss despite an era of comparative success.

What will happen when we drop down the ladder.
Will we be the next Fitzroy?

I was originally a ROYs supporter and lived through the death of my football club. The merged club never worked for me. My team died.
I became a Sainter as they had always been my second team and my mum had always been a Saints fan. We all went to the Geelong-Saints final in the 90's as a family. I wanted to bring my kids up going to the footy every week and having that passion and sharing it with them. Not possible when your team has died. The option was give up on footy altogether, follow the merged team, or choose another team.

The decision to barrack for the Saints came in the 97 finals series. When I was more upset at the Saints losing the GF, than Brisbane being knocked out in an elimination, I knew in my heart that real Lions had died and that I was a Sainter from that moment on. My older son was 2 at the time and he never looked back, now 16 and one of the most passionate sainters you will ever find. People often ask about the Brisbane premierships and whether I thought I missed out. Not at all. I was happy for the ex Fitzroy players but there was no Fitzroy in it for me.
People also ask if you can have the same passion and you certainly can. I have watched my sons grow up as Sainters and shared the ups and downs of the journey from the failed 97 campaign to now, attending most games and all the finals including all three of the GF's in the past few years. I have watched this group grow and develop from the beginning and am a Sainter through and through.

I loved it when Ross was appointed Saints coach, not least because of his links back to my past as he was a Fitzroy player during my time growing up. However, after this weeks actions, my opinion is simple....don't let the door hit you on the way out.... We need to do whatever we can to get the best available coach and reload for another tilt. I still think this group has the chance to achieve the ultimate.

The Saints are in no danger of becoming like Fitzroy. The biggest problem for Fitzroy was lack of members. This was great as a young child growing up as we could always get access to the players. You attended a family day and could get up close and personal with players , get autographs, go into the rooms after wins. I still remember meeting Paul Roos when he was 17 and the next big thing, and loved him from that moment on. I was about 10 at the time, and I think I developed a bit of a girly crush that I've never quite lost.
THe saints membership base and broader supporter base is far too big to allow it to go the way of Fitzroy, thank god.

FQF

Luckily for me I have always been a Sainter starting as a kid from 1965 when in Tassie.

I have never been one for promoting one of our own as a coach in the past but I do believe it is time now. This move is due to a change in the team culture shown over the last 8-10 years and teh need to get some passion showing from teh leadership. I see this as part of the problem now to memebership.

The culture, while its had it moments, has been better than the past and we have only a few to blame for this.

Team spirit will now need to be upheld with strong discipline. Some one like Nathan Burke or Aaron Hamill could do this as coach.

[asiu]

Yea , i can remember watching bernie and mick.
Didn't mind the roys.
Tassy was a fair dinkum nest of st kilda supporters ... we were dumb not growing our tassie liink

[mr six o'clock]

There not dead .
There just not playing in the afl anymore.

[desertsaint]

around 79 my mother visted melbourne. i asked for a st kilda jumper. she bought home a long sleeve fitzroy jumper. wore it anyway. nice jumper. sad their gone.