Rooey's Recruits.... Or Armo's Army?

[Moolie]

With Rooey having a sick note, Armo did a great job as King Of The Kids down at Frankston Park today. Big thanks to Farren Ray for making the extra effort to coach my little one when she was having trouble. A great day. Go Saints.

[asaint]

Roo made an appearance at Moorabbin, looking very sore and stiff. Great day, well done to the club.

[SainterK]

Armo was chipper.

Farren is so lovely.

Was your daughter in the purple group?

[loris]

Farren is so lovely.

Oh Sainter K you are all a little slow in picking up on that fact in the East.

The original 'Farren Ray Fan Club' started from his first game with the Saints. Three of us more 'mature ladies' from the Western Saints were smitten on him from the get go. We had our own little corner table at the Karalee Tavern were the mob used to meet to watch matches illegally live (Foxtel in them there early days of Farren's career with the Saints didn't always play our matched live into WA. Somehow we used to get games streamed into the Tavern live from New Guinea or Northern Territory, the reception was always a bit iffy........... but the Western Saints mob turned up with fingers crossed each week, hoping to see a game out. We three just wanted glimpses of Farren!!!

A corner table was always set aside for us Farren Ray supporters. A bit like old bar fly's seats in a public bar - no one would ever dare sit in their seats.

Oh the pressure that was placed on we Farren Ray groupies......... from the male Western Saints contingent, who liked to put it upon us if one of Farren's kicks went to an opposition player (which they frequently did) or if the kick in Roo's direction went so high in the air it gave time for the whole six defenders of the opposition team to crunch Roo when he went for the hospital mark, Farren had delivered. It was as though these male supporters of our side were supporters for the opposition team............ they would be in our faces immediately if Farren stuffed up in any small way.

But we three never wavered, we were stoic in our support for Farren. And of course such heroic support in the face of these fierce, fanatical Sainter males eventually wore them down................ yep they began to see the 1%'s Farren did, the times he took a crunch to help his team mates, and appreciate the link role he was playing. The crap being heaped on Farren soon lessened.

Even though it was all done in jest ( the blokes, putting it onto us female Farren fans).... it had an impact....... CJ's mum who occasionally came to watch matches at the Tavern, came up to us and asked if we three would start a fan club for CJ !!!!!!

A few times supporters, (who didn't know CJ's Mum and Dad) would be rubbishing CJ and his kicking etc and it would be a little bit embarrassing. Usually someone would wise them up and they would thankfully lay off CJ for the rest of the match.

So Sainter K, you can be an Eastern States supporter of the Farren Ray Fan club if you like

Actually St Michelle (who was on this site for years, now sadly doesn't post), made up Farren Ray Fan Club badges for us, plus my sister and I found these distinctive red, white & black hunting caps in an op shop in Chapel Street for us, which we would proudly wear with our Farren badges affixed on them. They really went down a hoot. We were standing in the crowd watching the 2009 Grand Final parade, it was surprising how many Sainters came up to us, wanting to know about Farren's Fan Club and where they could purchase the hats also.

It's always good to have a little bit of fun and a giggle with footy. For some it all gets too serious. Believe me, when you have been going to matches watching the Saints since about 1953 (longer for my sister) as I have .................. a sense of humour is all that will get one through, the cross one has to bear in being a rusted on Sainter long term.

Go Farren............. hope to see you back in the team later this season to help out the young kids, so as I can bring out my Farren Ray hat and badge once more!!!!

[saynta]

Farren is so lovely.

Oh Sainter K you are all a little slow in picking up on that fact in the East.

The original 'Farren Ray Fan Club' started from his first game with the Saints. Three of us more 'mature ladies' from the Western Saints were smitten on him from the get go. We had our own little corner table at the Karalee Tavern were the mob used to meet to watch matches illegally live (Foxtel in them there early days of Farren's career with the Saints didn't always play our matched live into WA. Somehow we used to get games streamed into the Tavern live from New Guinea or Northern Territory, the reception was always a bit iffy........... but the Western Saints mob turned up with fingers crossed each week, hoping to see a game out. We three just wanted glimpses of Farren!!!

A corner table was always set aside for us Farren Ray supporters. A bit like old bar fly's seats in a public bar - no one would ever dare sit in their seats.

Oh the pressure that was placed on we Farren Ray groupies......... from the male Western Saints contingent, who liked to put it upon us if one of Farren's kicks went to an opposition player (which they frequently did) or if the kick in Roo's direction went so high in the air it gave time for the whole six defenders of the opposition team to crunch Roo when he went for the hospital mark, Farren had delivered. It was as though these male supporters of our side were supporters for the opposition team............ they would be in our faces immediately if Farren stuffed up in any small way.

But we three never wavered, we were stoic in our support for Farren. And of course such heroic support in the face of these fierce, fanatical Sainter males eventually wore them down................ yep they began to see the 1%'s Farren did, the times he took a crunch to help his team mates, and appreciate the link role he was playing. The crap being heaped on Farren soon lessened.

Even though it was all done in jest ( the blokes, putting it onto us female Farren fans).... it had an impact....... CJ's mum who occasionally came to watch matches at the Tavern, came up to us and asked if we three would start a fan club for CJ !!!!!!

A few times supporters, (who didn't know CJ's Mum and Dad) would be rubbishing CJ and his kicking etc and it would be a little bit embarrassing. Usually someone would wise them up and they would thankfully lay off CJ for the rest of the match.

So Sainter K, you can be an Eastern States supporter of the Farren Ray Fan club if you like

Actually St Michelle (who was on this site for years, now sadly doesn't post), made up Farren Ray Fan Club badges for us, plus my sister and I found these distinctive red, white & black hunting caps in an op shop in Chapel Street for us, which we would proudly wear with our Farren badges affixed on them. They really went down a hoot. We were standing in the crowd watching the 2009 Grand Final parade, it was surprising how many Sainters came up to us, wanting to know about Farren's Fan Club and where they could purchase the hats also.

It's always good to have a little bit of fun and a giggle with footy. For some it all gets too serious. Believe me, when you have been going to matches watching the Saints since about 1953 (longer for my sister) as I have .................. a sense of humour is all that will get one through, the cross one has to bear in being a rusted on Sainter long term.

Go Farren............. hope to see you back in the team later this season to help out the young kids, so as I can bring out my Farren Ray hat and badge once more!!!!

Lovely post Loris.

[remboy]

I remember when we first recruited Farren Ray a couple of people may have been quick to compare him to Aaron Fiora. Nothing could be further from the truth. He's a great mark for his size and has been a sensational pick up.
On the topic of Armo, it seems that after every open session or kids clinic somebody mentions how good he was, how willing he was to talk to people and take time out to interact. Really seems to be stepping up into a leadership role very nicely.
I went on a tour of Europe a couple of years ago and one of the guys ont eh tour used to teach him and keeps in touch. He said Armo loves the club and it shows.

[gringo]

I remember when we first recruited Farren Ray a couple of people may have been quick to compare him to Aaron Fiora. Nothing could be further from the truth. He's a great mark for his size and has been a sensational pick up.
On the topic of Armo, it seems that after every open session or kids clinic somebody mentions how good he was, how willing he was to talk to people and take time out to interact. Really seems to be stepping up into a leadership role very nicely.
I went on a tour of Europe a couple of years ago and one of the guys ont eh tour used to teach him and keeps in touch. He said Armo loves the club and it shows.

I thought especially last year Farren really grew as a leader and a player. Was his most consistent year and ironed out some wrinkles in his game. Great guy too.