Football is more than a sport; it's a tapestry of traditions, memories, and emotions that weave into the lives of countless fans. For many, supporting the Essendon Football Club is a cherished legacy handed down through generations.
In this edition of "Getting to Know Bombers Fans," Deb Ford shares her journey as an Essendon supporter, highlighting her unwavering loyalty and the lifelong memories she has celebrated. Her story reminds us that the true beauty of football lies not only in the game but also in the connections and community it creates.
Deb's story was recently featured in part on the Essendon website as part of the Members Round feature. Here is her full story.
Hi Anthony,
It will be a privilege to share with you and your readers my family history, loyalty and undying love of the Essendon Football club.
Come on the Dons- Keeping the Family Legacy Alive.
The beginning of my family’s Essendon story can be traced back to the early 1940’s.
My father would head to Windy Hill from West Coburg with his brother and sister and friends for every home game. They’d sit in front of the Reynolds Stand cheering on champions such as Reynolds, Hutchison and Coleman.
I am very proud of this iconic photo that has been published in many VFL and club history books even though my father didn’t make the cut. My uncle made the banner and we believe it was one of the first to adorn the fences of the MCG.
Over the next decades, Dad and his brother, now young adults, continued to enjoy Saturday afternoons together at Essendon games.
They witnessed six premierships before ten year old me joined my Bomber loving brothers, saw the light and developed my love of all things Essendon.
So the Ford family tradition of meeting up at the footy was re-imaged in the 1970’s when Dad, my uncle and the next generation of Fords would gather in front of the Windy Hill scoreboard. Despite the lack of early success, I have great memories of these times. We headed out every Saturday to the games at all the suburban grounds. We can all remember lining up at the gates early to get the best spot, standing on tin cans for a better view, the peanut man, running on the ground after a win and playing kick to kick until it got dark. I can’t forget to mention the four premierships we celebrated together as a family.
Grand Final week was just the best. Packed Windy Hill for the last training run, the Grand Final parades, the match and the celebrations at Windy Hill on the Sunday.
Once again despite the lack of finals success, I continue to ride the roller coaster of supporting our club and my passion in all things Essendon has not waned. I will always keep the faith.
However, my footy experience has changed over the years. Gathering at games as a family for me has morphed into a new family of fellow passionate Bomber friends. Great people I have met via my involvement in the player sponsorship program.
I now treasure the special inner sanctum and game day experiences we have together.
My father stopped going when it became too much for him but he watched on at home and sadly we lost our 93 year old Bomber patriarch early last year (2023). My uncle came out of ‘footy retirement’ and attended a couple of games with me last season.
2023 was a tough year for our family for many reasons and going to the footy each week, meeting up with my new Bomber ‘family’, enjoying the wins and watching the development of many of our younger players always helped to bring some joy through a lot of sadness.
Our family is forming the next generation of Bomber members and I’m the educator of all things Essendon to these five young boys. Just like my dad and uncle were my ‘educators’ over fifty years ago.
Enjoy the ride boys.
Come on the Dons. “
Sadly after sending this story in to the club our family lost another Bomber supporter - my brother Steve. Steve and his son were unable to attend games with me the past few years owing to his illness. I now have another photo memory to treasure showing Steve and some other family members being a part of the
Comeback March in 2017. This photo was shown as a part of Steve’s life photo reflection at his memorial service we held in late January. I will miss him being my footy buddy.
However after a difficult few months the excitement is now building with each win. I am dedicating the season to both my dad and brother. I take them with me to every game, Steve loved Jake Stringer and Dad used to call Jordan Ridley ‘his boy’ when watching on at home. They would’ve loved their Dreamtime games,
Something I have done often this year is ask for divine intervention during our close matches. I look to the heavens as well thanking Steve for the goal or the win. When I said goodbye to Steve at the funeral home in January my last words were - “Help our Bombers win number 17.” As a man of strong faith I believe he will.
As I said above my contributions to the club are being more than a member. Player sponsorships with family and friends is a way to build my connection with the club, today’s playing group and making new friends. I consume all things Essendon on my social media platforms and are very thankful to the track watchers and all the podcasters who are a big part of my life. Some who I’ve met and some that I’m yet to meet.
What’s you fondest memory about supporting Essendon?
Apart from the premiership wins I’d say the night I had my photo taken with some Bomber legends.
Do you have a personal story about an Essendon game?
The 2017 Comeback match - Someone on Twitter was asking for a musical group to play the theme song as part of the pre game activities on the Yarra. I dobbed in my family of brass band players to do it. They led all of us to the G and then the atmosphere at the game and getting the win was just fantastic.
Where were you on grand final day 1993?
Top deck Olympic Stand.
Where were you on grand final day 2000?
Top deck Ponsford Stand then off to Rod Laver Arena to celebrate.
Where were you on grand final day 1984?
Level one Southern Stand
Where were you on grand final day 1985?
We were amongst the cheer squad. The famous brawl was right in front of my family.
*in the car park -1985 Grand Final
Did you emulate any past player in the backyard playing football?
Yes. I had black rimmed glasses and our neighbour called me Blethyn when we had kick to kick with my brothers.
What are your recollections of going to the football as a kid?
As I said before cramming into all the suburban grounds and running into the ground after a win. Most times I fell over.
Best game you have ever watched live or on tv?
2000 Qualifying final v North Melbourne. My uncle and I agree it’s probably the best we’ve ever seen an Essendon team play.
Worst/saddest Essendon memory and why?
1999 Prelim. I think we all know why.
Do family members support Essendon?
Yes they do. Four generations of immediate and extended family from ninety to two years old,
Did you have a football number on the back of an Essendon jumper as a kid? If so, why that number?
My first number was 1 - Neville Fields.
Then I had 11 - Blethyn and Robert Amos ( a teenage crush)
Have you met any past Essendon players? If so, what were they like?
Yes I have. A young James Hird visited my classroom in 1993. Long story why. He was very patient at answering my students questions. I was awestruck,
Which player did you not want to see leave Essendon and why?
It would be Merv Neagle. He was my favourite in that Essendon era.
Do you collect football Memorabilia?
Yes I do. I have a few signed jumpers in frames, caps, boots and game balls.
What type of supporter are you when watching on tv? Passive? Aggressive?
Nervous
Your idea of the perfect football day? Starting with breakfast all the way to bedtime.
Head to the ground early to meet up with Bomber friends or family,
Watch a Bomber win and cheer the boys off the ground. Hopefully my young great nephew can get a signed ball or a high five from one of the players.
Come home and read all the posts from my Bomber friends on social media. Watch the replay even if it is now very late,
Which three past players stood out to you and why?
Tim Watson - First game as a 15 year old. Just WOW.
James Hird - Champion and Brownlow Medallist
Matthew Lloyd- Leading goal kicker
Which premiership gave you more enjoyment? 1993 or 2000?
2000 - After 1999 I was on tenterhooks all through the finals. Could hardly concentrate at work. To win each finals match so easily was a relief.
Most memorable quote by a commentator in an Essendon game?
This is Sheedy’s premiership with all the moves he’s made, (1984 Grand Final)
Which player did you pick early in their career would be a star and why?
James Hird. 1992 game against North Melbourne where he took countless marks. Early 1993 - Fosters Cup final - 5 goals then Hawks game where Bruce McAvaney said “oh James you are a little champion. Jimmy boy”.
What current players have you most excited about the future and why?
Our group of 20 to 26 year olds who will play together for another six to eight years. I’m loving the Durham/Caldwell on ball partnership with Merrett and hopefully it will be even stronger when Parish returns.
What would you like to see more on field from Essendon?
Efficiency in the forward line. Better connection is needed to our forwards.
What would you like to see more off field from Essendon?
More member experiences such as the fan day we had in December.
How far away from the ultimate success again is Essendon?
I’m an optimist. Next few years.
What are your thoughts on Brad Scott?
The coach we needed to lift the standards, to build an exemplary football program and provide leadership to improve all areas of the club.
What needs to improve the most from Essendon?
Forward craft. Kicking skills with some players.
Which player from an opposition team do you love watching the most?
Was a Nate Fyfe fan in his Brownlow years. I watch Melbourne a lot with my friend so I like watching Christian Petracca play( and cook).
Which team can’t you stand watching on tv?
I watch all teams if the games are interesting. If they’re not I turn off.
Which current opposition player would you like at Essendon and why?
Harley Reid- he’s going to be a once in a generation player like Dusty,
Have your feelings changed about a particular opponent over time?
Collingwood. I watch games with my pies friend and we are happy for each other when our teams win.
Who do you consider Essendon’s arch enemy and why?
Hawthorn - past history
Most hated opponent and why?
Carlton. It’s a family thing.
If you could go back in time and change a memory you have of Essendon, what would it be?
The 1999 Prelim final
If you could go back in time and change one thing about Essendon’s history what would it be?
Don’t employ the infamous sports scientists.
You can invite eight Essendon people/players to dinner, who would they be & what would you serve?
Sheedy
Hird
Watson
Wanganeen
Daniher brothers
I’m a hopeless cook so we’d all go to my nephew’s or brother’s for an informal bbq. They’d cook.
Name one rule change you would like to make in football?
Get rid of the sub.
What frustrates you the most about football these days?
Negative supporters even after a win.
What movie title sums up Essendon right now and why?
Going the Distance. - can we get to ultimate success again and I hope I’m there as well.
Name a motto/life lesson/saying you apply to Essendon?
‘Never worry about things that are out of your control. ‘
I think the coach uses that saying a lot as well.
****Quick fire questions****
One word answers.
Wanganeen or Long?
Wanganeen
Daniher or Saad?
Neither
Windy Hill or MCG?
MCG - my Mecca but Windy Hill holds so many memories
Hird or Lloyd?
Hirdy is my all time favourite Bomber.
1984 or 1985?
All premierships are great memories
Misiti or Mercuri?
Tie. Joe is a friends god son and Mark 💕
Madden or Salmon?
Simon
Rutten or Knights?
I liked Ben but he struggled to coach.
Ground level or top tier?
Ground
Socks up or socks down?
Up
Day game or night game?
Either - I go anywhere anytime
Day or night grand final?
Day
In closing, thank you for taking the time to read my story. Let’s hope the path the club is taking us on will see the next generation of Bomber fans witness success and hopefully a premiership soon just like previous generations have.
Let’s go the distance.
Go Bombers
Deb Ford
❤️🖤