5 replies to this topic

[Caveman]

As a proper mark of respect for Jack Collins, this Sunday at the Docklands the old Footscray jumper that Jack and his teammates wore in 1954 should be the teams uniform.

Remember this week the opponents are Melbourne - yes Melbourne - not West Coast not Fremantle but Melbourne our Grand Final counterparts 54 years ago in 1954.

This would do the club no harm at all as it is a home game. We would get the extra money from a bigger crowd if the club makes a song and dance about it by bringing up all the 1954 nostalgia again, as was the case in 2004 for the 50th anniversary. The 2004 tribute was a fizzer (well the game was) however this time with a stronger team it can be a true celebration as well as a proper send off

Jack Collins didn't just take part in 1954, he kicked 7 goals in that Grand Final, which is still the equal record number of goals for a player in a WINNING Grand Final.

It may also inspire the players, not just for this Melbourne match, but also for the finals- knowing what they can achieve.

[Amelia Jane]

I agree, that would be a great idea- you should ring up one of the radio stations and talk about it there.

[DMcG]

Forget the radio stations, run for president of the club.

I'll vote for you. But then again, I doubt Mugab... I mean Smorgon will allow a election. He'll just ignore the club charter again.

RIP Jack.

[Lisbon]

They'll wear a black armband, but that'll probably be it. Will there be a minute of silence? Around here, when a true great dies, there is a thunderous ovation during the minute of silence, without anyone talking or shouting, just standing up and clapping. It gives you goose-bumps. If the deceased was particularly dear to the fans, they keep clapping for well over a minute, which I always find very moving. I suppose that sort of tribute would be in order.

[Caveman]

That's not a bad way of doing things.

Unfortunately in Britain the minute applause rather than a minute's silence was predominantly introduced to counteract the lack of respect shown in the minute silence. This would happen at soccer matches- in England, but even more noticeably at soccer matches in Scotland. The disrespect during the minute silence was usually done deliberately and often organised beforehand to make a statement, rather than just some brain dead buffoon wanting everyone to hear his nuff nuff voice.

At one game in January 1994, a minute silence at a game between Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United was drowned out by some fans of Leeds United as they were insulted that their great manager Don Revie didn't receive the accolades that they believed he was due when he died back in May 1989. So these Leeds fans decided to proclaim and announce it to everyone during the minute silence for Sir Matt Busby, that Don Revie should have received similar recognition.

They had a just grievance about Don Revie, not receiving much of a send off, however their method to protest this was just appalling. Matt Busby had survived a aeroplane crash and also served Britain in the war. Standing up a being silent for 1 minute wasn't too much to ask. Also Don Revie died on that famous day where Liverpool lost 0-2 at home to Arsenal which gave Arsenal the title- I remember it well, that was the last game of the season- even after the F.A.Cup Final because the Hillsborough tragedy has made the season go longer as Liverpool didn't play for a few games in its immediate aftermath.

So I like the idea of a minute applause.

Still the Footscray jumper - the fair dinkum one should have been worn in that Melbourne game of two weeks ago. Remember this was the bloke who kicked 7 goals in the 1954 Premiership and also we were playing Melbourne. It wasn't West Coast or Fremantle- it was Melbourne. Jack Collins was a club legend one of our greatest ever players. Then he became a fine and long standing administrator for the club. So Jack returned to the club after hanging up his boots to still help out, yet he was on the outer (self imposed in many ways- thats not disputed) but he deserved better than just black arm bands being worn the players- many who sadly would never have heard of him. To some of those blokes out there he was probably just another old player that's passed on.

[Amelia Jane]

Spot on Caveman. I wish we would show more respect to our greats. This is something that unfortunately seems to be fading a bit. Jack Colllins deserved a minute's silence as you suggested and especially as we were playing Melbourne as they were our opposition in the 1954 premiership.