A rosey future for the cockerels of Bondi?

Football Leagues

The Roosters

Rosey future for the cockerels of Bondi

The Roosters (formerly Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City)were founded at a meeting held at Paddington Town Hall on January 24 1908. Their jersey colours and design were styled on the playing strip of the 1899 touring Great Britain Rugby Union team.

In the 1960s, the club changed its playing strip away from hoops to a V style modelled on the popular and entertaining French Rugby League teams. As well as adopting the jersey designs of the French, they also adopted the French's cock badge and the club became known as the 'Roosters'.

For years, the Roosters were one of the lest popular clubs in Sydney. Even the few supporters that they do have are generally recognised as observers, rather than supporters. Roosters halfback Brett Finch acknowledged as much when he said:

"and all those critics, especially some of the Roosters fans, so-called fans, they can kiss our arse ."

Yet despite its lack of popularity, the Roosters' viability has always been assured due to its profitable leagues club. This has led to the unusual sight of a club no fans, arguing that the NRL needs to raise the salary cap. It has also led to the unusual situation of players being able to do things that are very commercially unwise, such as conceding their club lacks true fans.

Although its crowds may be small now, its future looks rosey due to the demise of its inner-city competitors. At present, it is the only club in the NRL than has an unbroken tradition dating back to 1908. Neighbouring inner-city club Newtown no longer exists while Balmain and St George have merged. Finally, fellow stand-alone club South Sydney has had some trouble getting its act together.

The Roosters are also benefiting from Manly's financial difficulties and arguably they are now the NRL's silvertail club. Arrogantly, it has vowed to challenge the NRL's salary cap to allow it to use the chequebook in the same way that made Manly such a hated club in the 70s.

In what may be a sign of the future, one wise commentator aptly put it:

"I hope all you Roosters fans realise that supporting them is the equivalent of supporting Wigan over here... a transit lounge club run by a bunch of richos who rort the salary cap at every opportunity (allegedly), whinge at every opportunity, and whose fans (not that they've got that many in Sydney TBH) have their own version of the 'Wigan Walk'."

Rivalries

South Sydney - South Sydney and the Roosters are inner city neighbours and the last of the traditional clubs. Owing to poker machine revenue, the Roosters have been profitable despite having no fans. This profitability has allowed the club to buy premierships, much to the angst of Souths. As Russel Crowe put it:

"For all the Roosters have spent in the last five years they've only bought one premiership. "Souths are the poorest club in the league. Our boys train on a busted-ass oval with cockroaches in the dressing room, there's no glamour playing for Souths."

Roy Morgan research

2004 - when compared to other NRL supporters

29% more likely to be renting than the average person;
35% more likely than the average person to say they can tell a type of person by the type of car they drive;
21% more likely than the average person to say they use coupons they find in magazines or on packets;
45% more likely to say TV advertising often gives them something to talk about.

2006 - when compared to other NRL supporters

63% more likely to be aged 14-24

29% more likely to be single
25% more likely to believe it's important to look fashionable
25% more likely to eat out every night if they could afford to
20% more likely to be more interested in their job than their house
30% more likely to like having the ability to screen their calls
20% more likely to have held a dinner party in the last three months
23% more likely to have played a sport in the last three months
44% more likely to have travelled by bus in the last three months

Icon

Fatty Vautin - Fat red-haired forward. Popularity may be on the wane now that the club has become home for the beautiful people.
Dally Messenger - Played Aussie Rules at school, then started playing Rugby Union then defected to Rugby League. Aside from representing Australia, Messenger also represented New Zealand. Perhaps all the Kiwis around Bondi confused him in regards to his true nationality.
Craig Wing - Pretty boy who is a favourite of the fashion scene.
Fred Fittler - Poached from Penrith (Panfers)during the Super League war and never looked back. Relished being around beutiful girls rather than mullets and toothless grins.

Roosters Jokes

1) It was the day of the Grand Final when the officials took a call from the gatekeeper. "There are two life members of the Roosters and they have lost their tickets." "Throw them out!!!" said the executive. "Whoever heard of the Roosters having life members. "

Q: What do you call a Roosters player who is battered and bruised after a game a tough game of Rugby League?
A: A soft cock

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