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28-05-08, 04:29 AM
Give us something to smile about, fans plead
By Amy Dale
May 28, 2008 12:00am
http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6061707,00.jpg
WHILE they may still be tender in years, these young Rabbitohs fans have seen enough ups and downs to rival the most hardened footy fan.
And when news came last week that their club's survival couldn't be guaranteed, it was all they could do not to burst into tears of frustration.
They have had enough of feuding, and frankly, they've had enough of losing. They, like Rabbitohs fans statewide, are ready for the focus to go back on to the footy.
The off-field turmoil resulted in Peter Holmes a Court being replaced as chairman by his predecessor Nick Pappas on Monday night as tension between with co-owner Russell Crowe continues to boil over.
This is on top of a dismal season on the park with Souths scoring one win from 10 games, and the admission by Holmes a Court last week that he couldn't guarantee the club's survival.
But their loyal fans are staying true - none more so than diehard fan Rebekah Castucci.
The 16-year-old student from Moorebank has become one of the faces of South Sydney's rollercoaster seasons.
She was captured sobbing on camera in May 2006 when Souths slipped to their tenth consecutive loss, but was given a reason to smile in 2007 with a fairytale finals berth
.
She admits that the tears very nearly came back out last week.
"I was at school and hadn't seen the paper, and then a teacher told me that Peter Holmes a Court had said Souths mightn't survive," she said.
"I thought it must be a joke, but when I realised I nearly started crying. I was shattered."
Along with her young siblings Rachel, 10, and Adam, 6, Rebekah will endeavour to head out to ANZ Stadium this week.
"There have been some pretty bad performances lately, but I think against Melbourne last week there were promising signs," she said.
"Maybe people don't think this is hard on fans. But it is difficult to see them losing, and to hear that there is drama going on within the administration.
"It affects everyone who loves the club and cares for its future."
By Amy Dale
May 28, 2008 12:00am
http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6061707,00.jpg
WHILE they may still be tender in years, these young Rabbitohs fans have seen enough ups and downs to rival the most hardened footy fan.
And when news came last week that their club's survival couldn't be guaranteed, it was all they could do not to burst into tears of frustration.
They have had enough of feuding, and frankly, they've had enough of losing. They, like Rabbitohs fans statewide, are ready for the focus to go back on to the footy.
The off-field turmoil resulted in Peter Holmes a Court being replaced as chairman by his predecessor Nick Pappas on Monday night as tension between with co-owner Russell Crowe continues to boil over.
This is on top of a dismal season on the park with Souths scoring one win from 10 games, and the admission by Holmes a Court last week that he couldn't guarantee the club's survival.
But their loyal fans are staying true - none more so than diehard fan Rebekah Castucci.
The 16-year-old student from Moorebank has become one of the faces of South Sydney's rollercoaster seasons.
She was captured sobbing on camera in May 2006 when Souths slipped to their tenth consecutive loss, but was given a reason to smile in 2007 with a fairytale finals berth
.
She admits that the tears very nearly came back out last week.
"I was at school and hadn't seen the paper, and then a teacher told me that Peter Holmes a Court had said Souths mightn't survive," she said.
"I thought it must be a joke, but when I realised I nearly started crying. I was shattered."
Along with her young siblings Rachel, 10, and Adam, 6, Rebekah will endeavour to head out to ANZ Stadium this week.
"There have been some pretty bad performances lately, but I think against Melbourne last week there were promising signs," she said.
"Maybe people don't think this is hard on fans. But it is difficult to see them losing, and to hear that there is drama going on within the administration.
"It affects everyone who loves the club and cares for its future."