Home Ground

You weren't the only one, Crow.

By Peter Peters
March 25, 1982

The blue and gold army-Parramatta's huge following-have given a massive thumbs down to the premiers' switch to Belmore Sports Ground.
This week only 500 of the 3000 available reserved seats in the luxurious Belmore covered stand had been sold to Parramatta fans.
The Parramatta officials are stunned at the cold reaction of their fans to the clubs' new home ground.
It was thought they would stampede the extra facilities at Belmore after the Noah's Ark conditions at Cumberland Oval.
However, this hasn't been the case.
For Sunday's match of the year against arch rivals Manly, the Parramatta club has even gone into enemy territory in a bid to sell stand tickets.
Tickets are on sale for the stand at both Manly and Parramatta Leagues Clubs for $4.
Fans are obviously rebelling at the price of the season tickets which were priced at $89.40 for 13 matches. This price covers the admission price and the cost of the seat.
On top of these prices Parramatta supporters are also paying around $2 for the bus fare from Cumberland to Belmore.
Parramatta's problem with Belmore was highlighted last Sunday when a crowd of 6,453 turned out for the clash against Penrith.
The western derby would have drawn a crowd of over 13,000 at Penrith or Cumberland-even allowing for the wet weather.
The Eels seem destined to remain at Belmore for a long period even though they can't train there.
Parramatta players are training in second rate conditions at Granville now that Cumberland Oval has been left in a dreadful state.
The Parramatta club has done everything in its power to try and attract its following to Belmore.
A widespread radio and newspaper campaign before the start of the season had little reaction.
Despite the snub from fans, Sunday's gate should go a long way toward's helping the club's plight.
The Parramatta v Manly match has aroused tremendous interest and there are sure to be thousands of Belmore regulars who will by-pass Canterbury's match against Newtown to watch the battle of the two glamour clubs.
Given good weather the match should attract a plus 20,000 crowd.

it sure was a cheap day at the football back then.

Could this be it?