Why do you support the Parramatta Eels?

[lucablight]

So I noticed with interest a while back that we have the largest supporter base of any Sydney club. https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/...iers-penrith-panthers-enjoy-a-jump-in-support

I was wondering where the motivation comes from for people especially since we haven’t won a premiership since 1986. Me, personally I’ve always lived and grown up in western Sydney (In the Blacktown LGA) and the school I went to gave me a junior pass to all Parra regular season games which made me a fan for life.

Also out of curiosity do most Parra fans here live locally in Eels Territory? Being in the Blacktown area I travel to Mt Druitt and Penrith sometimes and I seem to see just as many Parra jerseys as Penrith ones so our reach seems to extend all over Western Sydney. I wonder why we have such a wide reach and resonate with so many fans despite our lack of success in winning comps.
Why are you a Parra fan?

 

[pazzaeel]

Because my Dad does. I have lived in Northern NSW my whole life and my family has no links to Parramatta.

Last time they won a premiership I was 2.

Thanks Dad

 

[Gronk]

Yeah thanks Dad*.

* Well actually thanks to Dad I saw the 1976, 77, 77, 81, 82, 83, 84 and 86 GFs at the SCG.

 

[I bleed blue & gold]

My whole family has followed the club. Grandparents, Parents, Aunties etc. I have been born and bread in the Parra area and still live there today. It’s in my blood.

 

[Rocket man]

Born in Parra hospital.
Used to also get a junior pass and went with my Dad. Lived in Parra territory for 30 years, 10 of which was five minutes from the station.
Now reside in Sutherland Shire and attend most home games.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

I was born this way. Didn’t consider it a choice. By the time I was old enough to think about it it was already part of who I was. I also helped to be growing up in the 80s in greystanes when all your friends are eels fans.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I can’t help it.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

My whole family has followed the club. Grandparents, Parents, Aunties etc. I have been born and bread in the Parra area and still live there today. It’s in my blood.

Yep, both sides of my family support Parra, even my cousins who grew up in Newport.

 

[Twizzle]

Born and raised in Isabella St, Nth Parra, went to St Pats primary school and then Marist Bros.

Played Commonwealth Bank Cup for Parra Marist.

Left Sydney when I was 20 cuz not a big city person but there has only ever been 1 NRL team for me.

 

[Phil Mann Stand]

I think I support them because my best friend in infants school supported them. My family never watched rugby league on TV. But my earliest memory was watching the 84 grand final with my step fathers family. They were all Bulldogs supporters and I cried at the end of the game.

 

[Hindmarshisgod2]

It's because I'm an idiot

 

[Wally21]

Born in Parra hospital, like Soren, grew up in Greystanes, whole family supported, particularly my mums side (10 uncles and aunties from Toonie, Maltese of course) so it was my destiny.
moved for a while into Panfers territory but have been in Surry Hills for a long time now.
my son had no choice, would have been homeless if he followed anyone else!!

 

[Eelogical]

It's because I'm an idiot

Don’t be so harsh on yourself. You could have supported the Tigers.

 

[hineyrulz]

Because i love pain, and being bald.

 

[Parra Pride]

As a kid I always kind of liked the Tigers because I thought the animal was cool, and at that point when watching footy I’d just support whoever I thought had the coolest mascot. It was only family who supported the Eels getting swept up in the 2001 season that got me on board, funnily enough the first game I ever went to was actually Parra belting the Tigers in that very season. Needless to say I hate my family for the suffering supporting this basket case has caused.

 

[Gary Gutful]

Because of my old man.

I had no choice.

 

[Incorrect]

I cried at the end of the game.

Yep, you're a Parra fan alright....

 

[the phantom menace]

Why are you a Parra fan?

Passed down from family, my Dad having attended Cumberland oval in the Thornett era. Both sides of my family were Parramatta-based, and I grew up in the area when we had our early-80s success. While I don't live there now, that's still a lot of Parra in my veins.

 

[T.S Quint]

Because the colours are cool.

 

[lucablight]

TIL there was a Parramatta hospital.