Parkmore Pirates ‘club mum’ Jenni Davis and the club’s treasurer Bob Bryan are enjoying its newfound success after gloomy days.By Shaun Inguanzo
THE Parkmore Pirates paced frantically around the confines of their changeroom barking short and sharp sentences.
“C’arn Parks!” was the motivational catch cry of many a Pirate just minutes before running on to Ben Kavanagh Reserve in Mordialloc.
The smell of eucalyptus from earlier rub downs was no match for the scent of victory wafting through the dingy brick-walled room.
But preparations for battle against North Kew in the Southern Football League (SFL) Division Three grand final on Saturday were about more than the premiership glory awaiting the Pirates.
One sensed it was the culmination of a whole season spent in the spotlight after the club’s miraculous financial intervention from sponsor Richard Houston after a dismal 2005.
Gone were many of the players who led the Pirates to an embarrassing wooden spoon in 2005, epitomised by the 314-point thrashing at the hands of the Dandenong Demons.
In their place were local heroes lured to the club with attractive pays, such as former Doveton forward Danny Casset – who kicked more than 140 goals this season – and Sean Millane, brother of Collingwood legend Darren, who contributed three goals during Saturday’s victory.
As the name suggests, the Pirates week after week pillaged and plundered their opposition from the head to the tail of the 2006 season.
Opposition fans jeered and taunted the Pirates last Saturday, suggesting that Houston’s dollars had ‘bought’ the club the premiership.
But for fans such as ‘club mum’ Jenni Davis, who recalls the pain and suffering 314-point losses inflict on supporters, Houston’s intervention was the only solution to Parkmore’s sinking ship.
Even the 2005 players found it difficult to cope with the rock-bottom performances.
“Two guys walked off the field on us during the 314-point loss because they were so embarrassed,” Ms Davis said.
“To be honest, Richard saw we were struggling last year and he came along and helped the club.”
It’s this kind of rational thinking that has earned Ms Davis her ‘club mum’ badge for her role as a mediator during ‘political’ arguments in years gone by.
“Everyone comes to me with their problems. I am sort of like a mediator – I help them solve their problems through compromise,” she said.
The future is one of blue seas and smoother sailing, especially as the club’s current stable of seniors drift into retirement.
Parkmore’s under-10 junior team won its grand final on the weekend, and there are plans ahead for joint celebrations to encourage juniors to stay with the club into their senior football years.
Ms Davis said the club would organise a footballer ‘buddy day’ in coming weeks where a junior player would be paired with a senior for a fun-filled day of activities.
