I wrote an article for a soccer fanzine a few years ago based around this idea and dug up this quote in my reading;
“According to Brian Eno, carnival is the key to real culture. When spectators become part of the proceedings themselves, then the event takes on an authenticity it didn’t previously have. Carnival is good when it leaves the people with the feeling that life in all its bizarre manifestations is unbeatably lovely and touching and funny and worthwhile.” – Danny Boyle
With this in mind I was hoping find somewhere to discuss the issue with other Bulldogs people, what are your stories of support for the Dogs, what are some of the issues that arise when you become a part of proceedings? I see footage from 20+ years ago and things in the outer seemed more colourful, more authentic. Cheersquads had home made flags and banners, people owned their support. Now you see very little aspects of this supporter culture, however you do see sponsors on flags, banners etc. Check this clip and have a look at the Nth Melbourne cheersquad and the crowd for Essendon:
I did have some old late 80s, 90s photos of the Footscray crowd, but would like to see if anyone has anything interesting in this regard. I myself have made a few flags/banners etc over the years for example:
![Posted Image](http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9676/10016580gj.th.jpg)
![Posted Image](http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/6219/10016555ww.th.jpg)
Crowds seem to chant less than I remember as a kid, it has been a while since the whole 'scray crowd has got up even for a FOOTSCRAY CLAP CLAP CLAP. The cry for "Ball" is about the only real consistent feature of vocal support.
A few questions -
Are we seeing less support on gameday? Or is it just different?
If it is different.... why?
How do you go about your support?