Cheer Squad

October 2021: The club is looking for football items to be displayed in the new museum to be created with the redevelopment of the old Hawthorn/Pratt Stand. If you have any Carlton related items, banners, duffle coats, flags etc; please contact Tony De Bolfo at the club.

The Carlton Cheer Squad was established about 1960????.
If someone can help with the story and/or images of the Carlton Cheer Squad please contact Blueseum.
What happened to the banners that lined the fences in the 1960's and 70's? Who made them and where are they now? Does anyone have photos of them? Most of these members are now in their 70's what stories do they have? Get them out on Blueseum before they are lost.
Please contact Blueseum jamie.blueseum@gmail.com

The cheer squad had around 600 members during the 1980's- 1990's. It orginally sat in the Heatley Stand, but as the "floggers" increased in size the club had them sit behind the goals. This move occurred in 1972.

April 2019, now for some good news. Blueseum will soon publish quite a few photos of Carlton run-through banners which have kindly been loaned to us by a long time veteran Cheer Squad member.

1907: So far, this is the only image we have found of an early supporter group. Blueseum presumes Carlton's and most other club's would have been similar.
Note: The absence of females, club coloured umbrellas, posters of players, extremely large flags, a dog in South colours, various South jumper types - sashes (both ways) hoops/stripes, a horse and buggy displaying a flag.
Round 7, South defeated St.Kilda by 12 points. Carlton thrashed Essendon by 54!
In the Pre VFL era mention was made of large groups of supporters carrying ribbons and team flags, horse and carts/buggies sporting team colours. So by 1907 these supporter groups, in various forms, had been around for a very long time.

Image: SLV, Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News June 20 (p12), 1907

"Push" was an every day word for a street gang that was in usage up until WW1. Pushes were common place in Melbourne from the mid 1870's.
Most gangs and there were many of them, were not all associated with football teams. Some were so violent that a policeman would not pursue them into laneways.
By the 1920's special police squads had broken up the gangs. (e Melbourne the city past and present)
Further information on "Pushes" can be found here> http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00619b.htm

Carlton and the Elliott sisters - a love story

Carlton historian Tony De Bolfo's article on the Elliott sisters. As well as Barbara Elliott being named "Belle of the Carlton Ball" in 1960, Barb and her sister Carole were involved in the early days of the Carlton Cheer Squad.
http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2018-05-04/carlton-and-the-elliott-sisters-a-love-story

Duffle Coats

Navy blue duffle coats with players' name badges sewn on, with a favourite players number on the back were not only worn by the cheer squad, but by many of the public as well.

Carlton's Fence Banners

Each club's cheer squad had canvas/cloth banners which would line the fences of each ground. The away team had the outer end. These lengthy banners began in the early 60's and continued to be a unique and colourful part an Australian Football match until the league clubs became too interested in the revenue gained from placing advertising on the fences. By the 1980's the banners had disappeared, especially on the sides/goal ends in line with the TV cameras. Eventually they would go altogether in the grab for cash.
Over the decades, there were many other Carlton banners, some long, some short. Blueseum is searching for the details or photos of these Blues' banners. If you can help please contact us.

"Come on Carlton - The Mighty Blues" a fair sized banner from the 1962 Grand Final

Also from the 1962 GF, Two No.1's, Essendon's Jack Clarke (famous distance runner Ron Clarke's brother) and Carlton legend Sergio Silvagni

Probably the longest one In the League was;

CRIPES! YOU GALAHS COULDN'T BEAT CARLTON IN A MONTH OF SUNDAYS OUR BONZER BLUES WILL DO YOUR MOB LIKE A DINNER AND WE'RE FAIR DINKUM SPORT. COME ON YOU BLUES.

This used to be placed on the city side/southern fence from the wing to the forward pocket, Heatley Stand/Royal Parade end of Princes Park.
The cheer squad would take the banners to the away grounds, in an old navy blue coloured van adversiting "Sires" menswear on its back roller door.

NICK POWER

Another very long banner from the 1972 era. Can be viewed in the 1972 drawn Second Semi Final at VFL Park, see link below.

YE OLDE BLUES FOREVER

This banner in Old English lettering was in the forward pocket/goal Heatley Stand end.

1972 Second Semi Final (drawn) All three of these banners can be seen here> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOybhb2Hqgc

Round 5, 1967 Carlton played St.Kilda at Moorabbin. Banners lining the outer fence can be seen in this Channel 9 replay> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jChq8atbMM

1995: The Cheer Squad's old Bedford (?) van advertising Sires Menswear, parked at the outer Garton/Lygon St. end, just prior to the development of the Legends Stand.
Note the "luxury" public conveniences for spectators.

Image; courtesy blueycarlton

Links

Galleries - [file759|Cheer Squad Banners] | [file830|Other Cheer Squad Pictures and Articles]

Gallery

1981 Spurring on the Blues 23/07/81.
1970 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1987 - Well-done Carlton cheersquad (12/08/87).
2009 - Carlton Cheersquad Fanatics (HS 21/03/09).
2009 - Carlton Cheersquad President (HS 21/03/09).
1970 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1979 Carlton Cheer Squad Advert. (Football Record).
1979 - VFL warning on the size of Floggers (21/07/79).
1980 - Cheer Squad Leaders contact details.
1978 - Cheer squads inject colour (22/07/78).
1977 - VFL relaxes ban on Cheer Squad Floggers (13/08/77).
1981 - Cheer squads to hold Olympics (30/05/81).
1987 - Congrat's to Cheersquads over Motley Tribute (06/06/87).
1987 Rd 19 - Stephen Kernahan bursts through banner.
1986 - Carlton Cheer Squad seeks new members (19/07/86).
1973 - VFL still bans Cheersquad floggers (26/05/73).
1981 - Cheer Squad Leaders.
1984 Rd 9 - Carlton Cheer Squad Strikes.
1969 - Carlton Cheersquad.Pic: Football Life.
1969 - Carlton Cheersquad.
1969 - Carlton Cheerleader.Pic: Football Life.
1972 - VFL wants to ban floggers (24/06/72).
1966 - Carlton Cheersquad members travel to QLD (27/08/66).Football Record - 27th August, 1966.
1969 - John Goold offers to design Cheersquad Uniforms (01/09/69).Source: Footy Week.
1972 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1971 - Carlton Cheersquad wants a hand (11/04/71).Source: Footy Week.
1971 - Carlton Cheersquad defeats Melb. Cheersquad (09/05/71).Source: Footy Week.
1971 - Carlton cheersquad still the champs (23/05/71).Footy Week.
1971 Rd 12 - Carlton cheersquad members.Picture: Footy Week.
1972 2nd Semi Replay - Cheersquad's poor message??Inside Football.
1990 Rd 6 - Carlton Cheersquad.Pic: Football Record.
1995 - Carlton Cheersquad (30/09/95).Pic: Football Record.
1984 - Carlton Cheersquad goes on strike.
2005 Rd 15 - A Union Jack flag in the cheersquad a week after the London bombings.
1979 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
2000 - Carlton Cheersquad.
2000 - Cheersquad pelts Jars with tomatoes (09/08/00).
1979 GF - Carlton Cheer Squad.
1981 - Carlton Cheersquad: equal 6th best.
1968 GF The Carlton Cheer Squad Fires Up
1979 GF Carlton Cheer Squad With A Collingwood Coffin
2011 elimination final vs Essendon
Carlton vs Essendon 2011 Elimination final
Members Of The Carlton Cheer Squad At The 1970 GFImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club
Carlton cheersquad -possibly early 1980s
2016 - Carlton Cheer Squad.Image courtesy of Carlton Media.
1995 Grand Final The Cheer Squad.Edited image - originally submitted by Bombasheldon.
Blues Cheer Squad At The 1995 Grand Final.Edited image - originally submitted by Bombasheldon.
Carlton Cheer Squad At The 1970 Grand FinalEdited image - originally submitted by Bombasheldon.
1982 GF - Carlton Cheer squad.Pic; Rennie Ellis Collection.
1982 GF - Carlton Cheer squad.Pic; Rennie Ellis Collection.
1973 Rnd 16 v Fitzroy Junction Oval 1 of 3"1973 Rnd 16 v Fitzroy Junction Oval 1 of 3 Image courtesy K. McNair"
1973 Rnd 16 v Fitzroy Junction Oval 2 of 3"1973 Rnd 16 v Fitzroy Junction Oval 2 of 3 Image courtesy K. McNair"
1973 Rnd 16 v Fitzroy Junction Oval 3 of 3"1973 Rnd 16 v Fitzroy Junction Oval 3 of 3 Image courtesy K. McNair"
1989 Rnd 4 v Essendon at Princes Park"1989 Rnd 4 v Essendon at Princes Park Image courtesy of K. McNair"
1972 Rnd 1 v Fitzroy"1972 Rnd 1 v Fitzroy Crows cheer squad
Kevin McNair wearing his Carlton jacket. Carlton Cheer Squad member."Kevin McNair wearing his Carlton jacket. A member of the Carlton Cheer Squad"
Carlton badges scarf 1of 6"Carlton badges scarf 1of 6 Courtesy K.McNair "
Carlton badges 2 of 6"Carlton badges 2 of 6 Courtesy K.McNair "
Carlton badges 3 of 6Carlton badges 3 of 6
Carlton badges 4 of 6"Carlton badges 4 of 6 Courtsey K.McNair "
Carlton badges 5 of 6"Carlton badges 5 of 6 Courtesy K.McNair"
1982 GF - Carlton Cheer squad.
1982 Rnd 19 v Syd.at the SCG floggers and banner"1982 Rnd 19 v Sydney at the SCG Cheer squad "floggers' lined up and the run-through banner (on the ground) Image; courtesy K. McNair
1986 Some of cheer squad in front of the soon to be demolished press box"1986 Some of the Cheer Squad members in front of the soon to be demolished press box. Image: Courtesy K. NcNair
1981 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1981 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1981 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1981 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1981 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1982 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1982 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1982 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1982 Rd 19 - Carlton Cheer Squad.
1982 Rd 19 - Carlton Cheer Squad.
1982 Rd 19 - Carlton Cheer Squad.
1982 Rd 19 - Carlton Cheer Squad.
1982 Rd 19 - Carlton Cheer Squad.
1982 Rd 19 - Carlton Cheer Squad.
1983 - Carlton Cheer Squad.