Page 230 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized
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Parkside Football Club 1897/2017
1974
On the eve of the FDFL 1974 season it was not a secret anymore that clubs were prepared to pay
the players to secure their “loyalty.”
“The magic word in Footscray District League circles is money. And some clubs could be led to the
Bankruptcy Court unless officials plant their feet firmly on the ground and start calling a spade a
spade.
Why officials and supporters repeatedly succumb to the demands of fringe senior players in favour of
the loyal rank and file men never ceases to amaze me.
The ‘fringies’ have no club loyalty or team spirit and as soon as the money supply is cut they leave the
clubs for dead.
Well, enough griping (and a worthwhile whinge, too) and on to more football. How do I think the
teams will fare in 1974?
I’ll tell you.
To be successful, a team must have good administration, loyalty, player dedication, discipline,
harmony and good members and supporters.
“Parkside is stepped in tradition – a great club. But what do players train on? To win premierships
you must be at peak fitness at the required time. Dedication is the name of the game. Minor senior
premierships mean little.”
The Mail, April 3, 1974
Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider
