Almanac Social Research: We want to know which clubs have taken you into their fold

Good Morning Sportsfans

 

I know Groucho Marx said “I don’t want to be part of any club that would have me as a member” or something like that (does anyone know the exact quote and the accurate origin?).

However, we’re trying to work out a little more about our own Almanac fraternity, which is club-like in many ways.

 

If you have a moment could you please send us a response to these questions (email would be perfect to [email protected]):

  1. Are you a member of an AFL club? Which club? Since when?
  2. Are you a member of your local club? eg Fitzroy FC, Minyip-Murtoa FC, the Goondiwindi Hawks?
  3. Are you an AFL Member? Since when?
  4. Are you an MCC member? Since when?
  5. Are you on the MCC waiting list? Since when?
  6. Are you a member of one of the other clubs associated with the major venues? eg SACA member? Gabba Trust? other?

 

Finally, if you have attended an VFL/AFL Grand Final over the last 30 or so years, how did you secure entry to the game?

 

All respondents will go into a draw to win a copy of Michelle Payne’s book Life as I know it

Thanks

JTH

 

cover Life as I know it

Order your copy.

 

About John Harms

JTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is publisher and contributing editor of The Footy Almanac and footyalmanac.com.au. He has written columns and features for numerous publications. His books include Confessions of a Thirteenth Man, Memoirs of a Mug Punter, Loose Men Everywhere, Play On, The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story and Life As I Know It (with Michelle Payne). He appears (appeared?) on ABCTV's Offsiders. He can be contacted [email protected] He is married to The Handicapper and has three school-age kids - Theo, Anna, Evie. He might not be the worst putter in the world but he's in the worst four. His ambition was to lunch for Australia but it clashed with his other ambition - to shoot his age.

Comments

  1. Yvette Wroby says

    I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. Groucho Marx
    Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/grouchomar122546.html

    Social Club Member, 9 years full Reserve seats now, was member 1967-71 and on and off during 2001-6.

    That’s it, no other Club affiliation, but if the women’s team St Kilda Sharks had membership, I’d be there with bells on.

    Yvette

  2. Sean Gorman says

    Are you a member of an AFL club?
    yes

    Which club?
    Freo – yeah I know its hard.

    Since when?
    foundation member which then lapsed due to student poverty – rebooted in 2007.
    Are you a member of your local club?
    Member and Manager of under 15 East Freo Power who also have not won a game to date.

    Finally, if you have attended an VFL/AFL Grand Final over the last 30 or so years, how did you secure entry to the game?
    2000 – got ticks off Ron Joseph as I was conducting Krakouer research and Ron liked me.
    2013 Ballot (stressful).

  3. Thanks for the prompt to go looking for Groucho. The earliest and most reliable versions of the club quote come from newspaper columnists in 1949. Groucho was pressured by friends to join the exclusive private Friars Club but did not attend. When he resigned the President wrote asking why. The famous rejoinder quote was Groucho’s brilliant way of saying “none of your business”.
    Others that fit with Almanackers:
    “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
    “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can never live long enough to make them all yourself.”
    For Bill and Tony:
    “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.”
    “Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them…well I have others.”

  4. I have been a member of both Geelong and Port Melbourne football clubs. At the latter i wa sa member of the Burra Club, being a minor sponsor; a long time back.

    No my sporting membership is limited to two race clubs, Corowa and Yea. I failed to renew Avoca.

    Glen!

  5. Yvette Wroby says

    Hi forgot to add, GF 2009 and 2010, got GF tickets through computer, lined up as a kid with father supervising at night 67-71

  6. jan courtin says

    South Melbourne from 1948 to 1969
    Sydney Swans Country member approx. 1986 to 1998
    Sydney Swans NSW 1999-2016
    Sydney Swans VIC 2011-2016
    Qld Cricketers Club approx. 1985-1998

    Many VFL grand finals between 1955 and 1969: camping out overnight (sometime 2 nights) at MCG to be first in the queue to get tickets
    1996: the Melbourne Herald chief sports writer got me a ticket when I flew from London for the game.
    2005, 2012 and 2014 via Sydney Swans guaranteed GF membership.
    Jan Courtin

  7. jan courtin says

    error in above:
    1996 GF: tickets from Richard Colless, Swans Chairman – not as indicated in earlier comment (that was a semi)
    Jan Courtin

  8. Russel Hansen says

    Memberships: South Sydney Rabbitohs (gold member #6199)
    My only other (sporting) club membership is my coaching membership of the University of Queensland Athletics Club
    Grand Final: not attended an AFL grand final, but would be a fantastic experience, no doubt!
    Attended the 2014 NRL grand final to see South Sydney win premiership number 21. Tickets: on line, after the win v Easts in the GF qualifier

  9. Cathryn McDonald says

    Are you a member of an AFL club? Which club? Since when? – Port Adelaide member since 2008, Magpies dual member and cheer squad member for the last two years.

    Are you a member of your local club? – Between the Maggies and my best mate’s debut season in the women’s league reserves, Port counts as my local club too I think.

    Are you an AFL/MCC Member? – Why would I be, I’m South Australian!

    Are you a member of one of the other clubs associated with the major venues? – Stuck on the SACA waitlist for the foreseeable future…

    No Grand Finals yet… I was too young in ’04. I’ve got priority GF membership and I’m on the waitlist for GF guarantee, so fingers crossed I make it to the next Port one!

  10. 7 years a St Kilda member in USA. Been to only 3 games ever but love growing collection of merch and $75US discount in overseas TV package that membership provides. And friendship of many fellow supporters/sufferers.
    No to 2-6.
    No Grand Finals yet but I’ll be at the Saints’ next one provided they get there in the next 15-20 years or so!

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