Parramatta has been a club that has prided itself on it's family appeal. It's fantastic to come to a match and see a father sitting in the stands with his son or daughter, just enjoying the footy and they don't have to put up with moronic supporters like the Dogs have. I've sat at the South End for about 10 years and can still remember as a young kid playing a game of footy on the bottom of the hill and then getting told off by security if it got too physical. But they were always pretty good and would just tell us to watch the tackles.
I'd like to share quite a personal story in this blog to show just how much Parra means to me and my family. Earlier this season when we played the Tigers on a Sunday afternoon, my extended family made the trip to Parra Stadium. For my Grandpa it had been a regular trip that has been slipping away as he gets older. I've looked up to my grandpa and dad whenever we've gone to the footy. Just to show how committed my family is to Parramatta, grandpa was supporting them in 1956. He was at both the 1976 and 77 Grand Final and my dad was at the 77 Grand Final with him. However, with him getting older he's been getting to less and less games.
Back to the Sunday afternoon match. There were 3 generations of Parra supporters at that game. But only one of those believed in the team when all had given up. I speak of course of my grandpa. The old bugger refused to concede that we were going to get smashed even when the score read 31-0. We scored our first try and he turned to me and said, here we come. I couldn't believe it when he was pretty much right in what he said. We surprised everyone and scored 30 un-answered points.
However, I want to say that we are not in the worst position we've ever been. Speaking with my grandpa, he's not too bothered with us being in the position we're in. Having supported the team since 56 he's seen plenty of wooden spoons in his time. He's seen the team rise from the ashes many times and believes that we can do it again. I do however, hope that the Premiership is delivered sooner rather than later. It was my grandpa who gave me the 4 grand finals to watch on VHS, it's because of him and my father I follow Parramatta and I'm proud to support the team through thick and thin.
Replies
Nice story Super Eel. The tide will tun, better days are ahead. Go PARRA!!
yep, nice story super22, its blokes like your grandad that are the heart n sould of the club, long may he live, n may he taste another premiership before he goes...
He won't want anything like that, he's too modest. I think he'd be more happy with another Premiership. We bought one of those fake newspaper articles a couple of years ago, naming him as Parramatta's newly signed super coach. He still hangs it in his living room and he's still got his 86 jersey and he wears it to every match he goes to. Both he and dad like to reminisce about the golden era and thanks to their support I've already got some good stories to tell my kids when I'm older.
Wouldn't that be a story. If the Eels and Dogs became the benchmark again and Hasler was again thwarted by Parramatta.
cherish every moment of
it mate
Great Blog supereel.
Trust the old buggers to help us keep it all in perspective as they have seen it all during their days.
I hope he really enjoys a great 2013 with long awaited success.
Nice read SuperEel. Your Granpa is an inspiration to us all being such a dedicated and loyal supporter.
My love for footy was brought on by my uncles but they were Tigers and Manly Fans...but I grew up in North Parramatta and never wanted to follow Manly or Tigers, I stuck strong with my home team, I was born in 83 a parra premiership year, proof I was born to follow Parra and I will never sway.
A great read. I wasn't an Eels fan as a kid (born and raised in Newy) I started following them in 1999 because of Hindy, this year has been the hardest for me as an Eels fan and there have been times when i've considered the unthinkable, but blogs like this re-inforce my belief that we are the greatest team with the greatest fans and we WILL win more premierships, and WHEN we win another it will be all the more sweeter having made it through years like these.
1975 for me too - i still say the 1975 side ( after Parra had spent years on last and second last place) doesn't get the kudos they deserve
The amazing semi finals series and COURAGE shown by the no-name players - as they had to play so many games (some times only days apart) ....and somehow kept winning - remain some of my fondest Parra memories
http://www.eels1976-1986.com/master-page-554 courtesy of slip - a summary & photos of 1975 season
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