After
the Grand Final victory of 1981 the Parra supporters celebrated
the event by burning down the old Cumberland Oval Grandstand
that night.
From Misty Bee, a member of the Parramatta Forum of the League
Unlimited Forum
I was there!!!!!
Cumberland oval was the closest thing a fan had to being
part of the game. The old ground smelled of a combination
of beer, sweat, blood, dirt and tobacco. It seated 2000 people,
and 22000 would cram into it. Clouds of dust rose from the
ground when big bodies collided. It was a gladiatorial cauldron
the likes of which, atmosphere wise, does not exist today.
There was discussion about converting the old girl into a
modern stadium. With Denis Fitzgerald fresh in the job, we
would still be waiting. However, somewhere some brillinatly
minded Parra fans decided that a champion team deserved a
champion's ground.
I was at the SCG for the game. My mates and I drove back
to the Leagues Club, but as we approached, we noticed some
activity at Cumberland. We went over, and discovered people
going berzerk. The fence palings that ringed the ground where
ripped of and strewn everywhere. Signs were ripped down, seats
were ripped up. The dressing rooms and canteens had been looted.
Toilets were smashed, shower heads were ripped off, and tomato
sauce was strewn everywhere.
Funnies t thing was the old scoreboard, a fibro structure
on a 6ft brick stand. A group of blokes were on the stand,
trying to rip down the clock. below, some other blokes decided
to burn the stand. Up top, blokes began to realise that they
were being burned, but still reefed at the clock!!!
The most surreal moment was the sight of a well dressed woman,
savoring the moment quietly in the grandstand, while the mob
rampaged around her at the seats!
THAT Was the passion that was unleashed when Parra truimphed.
A far sight more passionate and determined than the johnny
come lately softc*cks who cannot see life beyond Brian Smith!!!!!
(Hey
this is some sort of a disclaimer here - these are the opinions
expressed by Misty Bee)
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