(Un)Social Club Artefact Wednesday - The Maverick

The Maverick was the newsletter published by the then South Melbourne Supporters Group, a little of whose experience you can read about here, in an article we've reproduced from the old Studs Up magazine.

From my understanding - and I'm by no means an expert - the South Melbourne Supporters Group that existed at the time (a more low key version came into existence for a couple of years during the VPL era) seemed to be a collective of mostly young, progressively minded South fans. What seemed to unite them was:

• That they were fed up with the way the club was being run
• They were fed up with the idiots on the terraces who kept messing up
• Their desire to see the club brought into the modern age and closer to mainstream Australia.
• In addition to that, they wanted to and did contribute to the club as volunteers.

I don't know what happened to this group, its members and whether the people involved deemed their efforts a success. I think it's a story worth telling. If any member of this group has more information, and especially if they have old copies of The Maverick, or at least the rest of this one, I'd love you to get in touch. As part of my abstract goal of documenting and preserving South related articles and missives from independent, non-mainstream South and non-South related sources, I'd love to be able to add further depth and breadth to that history.

I'm not sure when or where I sourced this lone scan of the first page of The Maverick's first (only?) edition, but my suspicion is that I somehow got it off Damian Smith, the Australian soccer historian and creator of the first South website, among many, many other things.

Oakleigh forfeit cup match

As seen here. And as demanded by the Kiss of Death, here.

So South get a 3-0 forfeit result in their favour, and porgress to the next round of cthe cup. And for the second season ina  row, Orthodox Easter sees Oakleigh forfeit matches. Last year it was their juniors who had all their matches forfeited, much to the annoyance of certain parents at that club. Club of their convictions at least.

Nice to know that the family day is still going ahead, memberships and merchandise avilable for pick up and purchase.

South Family Day this Sunday

You know the drill by now. You wake up early in the morning to watch some random music programmes on ABC2, before realising that they've converted to a near 24/7 kids channel, so ABC3 won't get lonely. And they're not even playing Rocko's Modern Life, one of the most underrated shows of all time. And for some reason, in this dream you're having, you have some kids, a girl, Persephone, and a boy, Diogenes, and they need something to do. So rather than do something fun, you decide to take them to South Melbourne Hellas Family Funday Extravanganza, which is on from 11-3 this Sunday 21st February. 

Family Day 2009 - The Good, The Bad and The Raspado

So where to start? Well, I'm sure the club would wihs it to be otherwise, but once again the lack of new merchandise to show the people wasn't great... neither was the inability to pick up membership packs. Now, not that there were not quite a few people signing up for memberships, especially the kids (that free ball is a hit once again this year) but imagine how much more merch we could have moved, if only we had even just some samples to show off? Equally disappointing was the lack of kids sizes and no hats at all, which was a bummer on such a sunny day, as they would have sold like, well, hats on a really sunny day.

Anyway, enough whingeing from me, because on the whole it was a great day. There were plenty of kids and plenty for them to do, there was a steady stream of people buying memberships, but of course, the most popular item was sno cones (which are apparently called raspado in Spanish). Me and Cindy's little popcorn stand did quite well considering the kind of day it was, but that little sno cone machine went through something like 15 bags of ice. Once again I didn't win the raffle - this time for one of two grocery hampers - but that was to be expected really. Word is that numbers for the season launch on this Saturday are looking pretty good too. Equally pleasing was the fact that people are taking advantage of the ability to purchase memberships online this year. So while it can be self-righteously satisfying to harp on all the bad things, it does pay to remember that the club is steadily making progress in a number of areas.

Family Day on Sunday

Family Day is on this Sunday, 11am-3pm. Will there be memberships and merch to pick up? I certianly hope so, but going on our past track record I doubt it for the latter. The club will also be collecting donations for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.

South vs South! Family Day! Jersey Night! Event Overload!

Did you get the latest edition of the club's brandspanking new newsletter? If you didn't you probably should sign up for it via the wesbsite. It kicks arse, so hopefully it's something that can be kept up throughout the entire season. Now there's stuff in there about the Family Day, the Jersey Presentation Night, and an interesting friendly game against Tasmanian champion South Hobart. Now since I wrote the bloody part about that game, I feel it's kinda my right to just dump that bit here for youir edification.

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce that as part of its preparations for the 2009 VPL season, and its 50th anniversary, the club will be hosting a friendly match against 2008 Tasmanian champions South Hobart on Saturday January 31st.

Founded in 1910, making them the Apple Isle's oldest club, South Hobart swept all before them in 2008, winning the Premier League as well the State, Steve Hudson and Launceston City Cups. Coached by the experienced Ken Morton, South Hobart also contributed 8 players to the Tasmanian squad in the A-League Youth competition.

Family Day 2008 wrap up

This started off real slow, but by the end was in full swing. Kids were having a great time with the rides, face painting and such, but the highlight of course was the impromptu match with mixed teams of kids and senior players. In fact it was also very pleasing to see a whole bunch of the senior squad there, who were also more than happy to give their autographs to the littleuns, even coach Johnny A' who was asked somewhat stupidly by one pathological idiot to sign a couple of kids jerseys while clutching a half eaten souvlaki. Also good to see new recruit Shane Nunes bringing in the future missus and their toddler while I was on my way out. I welcomed them to the club in a real farkknuckle way, being of course the social inept person that I am, but it's the thought that counts.

I went there with the intention of buying a beanie, paying for the jersey night and potentially picking up my membership. When it turned out they didn't have any beanies, I decided instead to buy one of last year's jerseys at the insanely good price of $40, a saving of 30 bucks! I had a gander at the new season's top; frankly I thought they looked shit, and if you happen to think so too, getting one of last years seems like a good option. Then again, I'm hardly reknowned as a style icon, and they might be more up your alley. Alas, memberships were not available on the day to pick up, as the cards will apparently arrive tomorrow, but there's still plenty of time before the start of the season, and of course those magnificent balls are yet to arrive.

Away from the main action. there were a few interesting tidbits divulged as well by a well meaning but loose-lipped player. Recent departure Tansel Baser may not even make it on the park for his new club Coburg United, the osteitis pubis he suffered from during last year still giving him grief. A new keeper to replace the once prospective Neill Young has been found from somewhere in Sydney, first name Nick or something like that. Some players are carrying niggling injuries, but should be right for round 1.

I also had a blue and white gelato (a bit much at $4, when I can get them from Laverton Market for $3 and with more on top), the thematic significance of which was recognised by the same bright spark who after she recovers from whiplash and finding homes for players, will be creating a kick arse logo for this site, not that there's any pressure, because this blog's doing quite well without one, and we wouldn't want to rush the impending masterpiece. As my old man likes to say, "to kalo pragma argi na gini (the good thing takes a while to make)".