I WAS two when the Wests Magpies moved to Campbelltown.
They were my team from the moment I knew anything about footy.
And when I filled in for my brother’s Ingleburn Bulldogs under-6 team at the age of four, I wanted to one day be a man in the black and white.
When I was old enough to really care about my team, it wasn’t a good time to be caring about results.
I remember sitting on the hill at Brookvale with my dad seeing Wests being beaten by about 60.
But I wouldn’t leave early. I had to watch it all.
The Magpies scored in the last few minutes to make it 60-something to four, and I left reasonably happy.
Wins were savoured. I remember watching them play Penrith in the pouring rain at Parramatta Stadium, but it was a Wests home game due to Campbelltown Stadium having a ‘‘sand problem’’.
The Magpies won and the 3000 fans gave them the best standing ovation I’ve ever seen.
I watched the game on replay when I got home after getting my mum to tape it. I always taped it, just in case Wests won.
The ‘‘25 Years in Campbelltown’’ gala dinner is on Friday at Wests Leagues Club Campbelltown, 6pm. Tickets are $95 or $900 for a table of 10. Bookings: 46284188 or ProTicket 1300 121 012.
SCOTTY’S ‘BEST OF’ TEAM
1.Brett Hodgson, 2.Taniela Tuiaki, 3. Andrew Farrar, 4. Ellery Hanley, 5. Beau Ryan, 6. Kevin McGuinness, 7. Jason Taylor, 8. John Skandalis, 9. Ciriaco Mescia, 10. Bryce Gibbs, 11. Paul Langmack, 12. David Gillespie, 13. Bob Lindner, 14. Steve Georgallis, 15. Andrew Leeds, 16. Harvey Howard, 17. Gareth Ellis.
Do you agree with Scotty’s team? Tell us below.