We moved to Jubilee Ave in 69 and I used to love watching the crowds build on game day as they walked to the ground walking down from Carlton Station, we used to yell out, wave flags and cheer, especially to the poor old losing fans of other clubs on their way home - or we'd hide inside if we lost of course.
Also remember watching the FG team jog up and down the length of Jubilee Ave for their training sessions after work of course, I think twice a week back then. They used to end their training sessions by jogging up the Ave, as a team and straight into Carlton Pub!!!! Then, a few hours later when I was in bed I'd be woken by them leaving at closing time as a team, often with the Police in their Holden HR Panel vans / Paddy vans to make sure they left. Saw many of our greats get taken away by the cops too.
Our neighbour worked at the pub and the stories I could tell you...... Also, the club paid for their beer (but only beer).
Now that's a high performance update right there.
Some great stories here folks, love it.
Can still see the fans streaming down from Carlton station. The local streets around the club and all the way up to our house opposite the motor registry would be choc full with cars.
The old man told me many a story about the team and individuals.
One night, after a session, Chang drove his his car up the ramp and pass the petrol station, hung a left and sped up the road, only to run straight up the back of a parked car!
No problems, next time round he had a new car.
The club, supposedly, use to put on the grog & girls for the team, downstairs at the back of the club.
Must have been part of their 3rd party payment structure, ha!
Dad also mentioned that Sattler and Chang would be 'completely rotten' on the eve of a big game..... but they'd still get out there the next day and play a blinder.
I had the pleasure of meeting Johnny Sattler up here in Queensland in the late nineties.
He was a self confessed teetotaler and a really decent gentleman. Very quietly spoken he was.
Not all the players received nice comments from the old man.
He saw many an argument from notable persons and had very little time for one in particular but l'll leave that for another day.