Why I Loved Cumberland Oval

Maybe it's a sign of my advancing years which will soon be evidenced through an upcoming birthday. Maybe it's just my recent reminiscing with people about some of the best players to lace on a boot at Parramatta. Maybe it was the recent blog about how long people have followed the Eels. Whatever the reason, I felt that the time is right to share what we loved about Cumberland Oval. It was an run down mongrel of a ground, but I loved it.Why?Firstly it represented an essence of the battlers of the west. Some got to sit and stomp in the small wooden stand. Some stood on the asphalt in front of the stand and behind the players area. Many sat on the hills, or should I say stood on the hills when the crowd was over 15000. And if you didn't want to pick splinters out of your bum, you brought your own fold up chair to sit near the fence. Every area had its own atmosphere and they all added up to a great afternoon.Secondly, all 3 grades played in front of a crowd. With no reserved seating, prime position was based on first in best served. Consequently, if you wanted a good spot you got in early. This meant that the lower grades were played in front of thousands of fans. It provided an atmosphere for the players, added to a club culture, and the fans got to know up and coming players.Furthermore, because there was no special seating, players and their families sat up on the hills with the punters. Eels greats and their families would be on the travelling rug like everyone else. I have great memories of big Artie (before he was an Eel) calling out "hey Bob the Bear" as O'Reilly walked in, and Bob sat and chatted with Beetson's family before they locked horns in the game.Importantly, Cumberland's old wooden stand gave us the basis for our chant. Those wooden floorboards rumbled and shook from the stomping of feet as Parra went on the attack. Not for us was a recorded chant played to get us going. Those stomping feet cried out for us to join in.Finally, what about those characters at the ground! The self appointed mayor. The phantom bugler. I'm sure that others can recount more characters than I can. And didn't Rex Mossop hate that bugle! Perched up in his corrugated iron media box, the Parra fans made sure that he knew he was at Cumberland!I've got lots of memories of games and days at the ground. I think I could go on forever! (I wish I'd kept my cardboard season ticket). Obviously it had no corporate areas, poor player facilities and atrocious toilets and catering. But as we get older, our memories push those issues to one side. For those of you of an older vintage, I hope this connects with you. For those who never experienced the old girl, I hope this adds to what your parents or grandparents would talk about.

"It's funny how he has been linked to us for about 3 years now, I wonder what his attraction is to Prramatta . Maybe a fan as a kid . And yes , he was bagged by experts like Ploppa who proudly told us he'd been studding him carefully and saw nothing…"

"I'd say his salary plays a big part in the decision. If there were a few players on the market for this season I think his choice not to release him early may have been different. Flanno can't build his team with Lomax chewing up so much coin. And…"

Replies

sixtiesboy January 28, 2015 at 9:10pm

Glad this resonates with you Drop Bear.
hindy January 28, 2015 at 9:18pm

I recently scored an oil painted portrait of the last game there against manly 20 all, and it's numbered too
- sixtiesboy > hindy January 28, 2015 at 9:35pm
  
  Is there a similar one hanging in the club?
- hindy > hindy January 28, 2015 at 10:00pm
  
  Yes that's the one it's signed by jack Gibson and Steve edge
Rise of an empire January 28, 2015 at 9:45pm

I lost the old man a year ago this Saturday he bled blue & gold an old toongabbie boy would drive me down from the central coast when I was young to attend most games. I love listening too especially the older blokes on here as they remind me of so many moments & memories the old man cherished thankyou
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > Rise of an empire January 28, 2015 at 9:51pm
  
  Good on you ROAE, your old man sounded like a great bloke and dad, great memories.
- sixtiesboy > Rise of an empire January 28, 2015 at 10:11pm
  
  We used to have Central Coast people around us when I had a season ticket in the Thornett stand from 86 to around 2000. Got to admire people who travel to watch every week.
Trapped in the 1970's January 28, 2015 at 10:39pm

Cumberland Oval was unique at a time when football was at its most tribal. Always there early enough to get our usual spot or to join the advance party so that we could catch a glimpse of Controversy Corner or The World of Sport beforehand. Football in the 70's was my favourite era when you'd see all three grades and the players progress. The players were as rough as guts but what entertainment it was and added to by its surrounds. Many great memories from that era.
- sixtiesboy > Trapped in the 1970's January 28, 2015 at 11:25pm
  
  Even though there is the demand of all 3 grades being played at the same ground, I don't know if it would get much of an early audience. In the old days, if you wanted a prime spot, you were there early. I went to games, even at other grounds, where the gates were closed during the lower grades because the ground was full.
El patrón MDV January 28, 2015 at 10:45pm

My brother and I used to catch the train from Wenty to Parramatta usually with my cousins (Roosters supporters) and couple of guys from school (St George supports). We use to sit on those old benches that were around the ground generally at the southern end of east/southern end and the sun use to go down over the old stand.

Wonderful days.