The 20-year miracle

[The Coon Dog]

Mark Stevens | September 04, 2009 12:00am


PETER Gordon could not resist trotting out a famous lyric from The Beatles.

"I feel like Sgt Pepper. Twenty years ago, almost today," the former Western Bulldogs president mused.

And it was clear as Gordon gazed out on to the Whitten Oval yesterday that the music is still ringing in his ears.

The sounds of the merger battle of October, 1989, weren't always pleasant but they remain with Gordon as if it was only a year ago.


Article in full...

[Desipura]

Re: The 20-year miracle

they should name a room from the Elite Centre the Gordon room.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The 20-year miracle

20 years!!! Remember it like it was yesterday

[comrade]

Re: The 20-year miracle

How good would it be to hold up the premiership cup on the 20th anniversary of our resurrection.

Up Yours Oakley!

[Missing Dog]

Re: The 20-year miracle

How good would it be to hold up the premiership cup on the 20th anniversary of our resurrection.

Up Yours Oakley!

When I was reading the article this morning I was thinking how good would it be for one of our players to do a Shane Crawford and grab the microphone and say Up Yours Oakley.

Maybe Murph could do it. He seems to have a good understanding of the history of the club.

[Topdog]

Re: The 20-year miracle

20 years!!! Remember it like it was yesterday

Same here. Bloody strange to think that was 20 years.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: The 20-year miracle

There are a couple of very pertinent threads that some of the newer Woofers would be unaware of & they make terrific reading:

1989 The merger 3: The best speech in football, Peter Gordon at the Fightback Rally


Interview With Irene Chatfield

[Sedat]

Re: The 20-year miracle

When I was reading the article this morning I was thinking how good would it be for one of our players to do a Shane Crawford and grab the microphone and say Up Yours Oakley.

I was trying to study for my up-coming Year 12 exams when the awful events of 1989 unfolded, resulting in our club ceasing to exist for 3 terrible days. I'll never forget that Summer, and if we are lucky enough to taste premiership glory, I'll be drinking to Irene Chatfield, Peter Gordon, Dennis Galimberti, Terry Wheeler and everyone else that contributed to our survival.

[Twodogs]

Re: The 20-year miracle

I'll never forget that Summer, and if we are lucky enough to taste premiership glory, I'll be drinking to Irene Chatfield, Peter Gordon, Dennis Galimberti, Terry Wheeler and everyone else that contributed to our survival.

Giants walked the Earth that summer. There were so many heroes.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The 20-year miracle

20 years - that makes me feel old. But also very proud of what we achieved. Go Dogs - winning the Grand Final this year would be extra special for so many reasons.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The 20-year miracle

Fair stretch by Columb to claim hero status.......i would like to think that there is always another way to continue the fight!!

[LostDoggy]

Re: The 20-year miracle

20 years ago my mother died. She was a Footscray fanatic. She would get to the footy for the start of the reserves and barrack. There was no way I could let the club die and I remember the "Save the Bulldogs Rally" like it was yesterday. Surely the footy gods will shine on us this year and my donation given way back then will finally have its just rewards.....

[westdog54]

Re: The 20-year miracle

There are a couple of very pertinent threads that some of the newer Woofers would be unaware of & they make terrific reading:

1989 The merger 3: The best speech in football, Peter Gordon at the Fightback Rally


Interview With Irene Chatfield

Loved this part of the Speech:

"I understand that to ask people like you in these harsh economic times to part with that sort of money is a very difficult request. It will hurt. But when you think of that hurt, think about how you felt on Tuesday.

Think of how you'll feel in four weeks' time when they announce the draw for 1990 and Footscray's not in it. Think of how you'll feel at the opening game of next year when Footscray aren't there, and the knowledge that they'll never be there again. We'll be there if you're prepared to commit, and I mean each and every one of you, the sort of money I'm talking about."

What a glorious day it was for our club.

[Bornadog]

Re: The 20-year miracle

Loved this part of the Speech:

"I understand that to ask people like you in these harsh economic times to part with that sort of money is a very difficult request. It will hurt. But when you think of that hurt, think about how you felt on Tuesday.

Think of how you'll feel in four weeks' time when they announce the draw for 1990 and Footscray's not in it. Think of how you'll feel at the opening game of next year when Footscray aren't there, and the knowledge that they'll never be there again. We'll be there if you're prepared to commit, and I mean each and every one of you, the sort of money I'm talking about."

What a glorious day it was for our club.

Can't believe it was 20 years ago, and yes we are still here, unfortunately, Fitzroy disappeared. They just didn't have the fighting qualities of the Bulldogs supporters.

[Missing Dog]

Re: The 20-year miracle

To Take on the might of the then VFL and win to me was as good as winning the flag.If we were to lose that historic fight as South Melbourne before us ans Fitzroy after us we would not be here going to the footy tommorow and thats a win !!