Barrack a term for supporters of sporting teams. In Melbourne, the Victoria Barracks were located at St. Kilda
Cricket Ground end of the Albert Park Playing Fields until the 1970's. At the north end was South Melbourne
Cricket Ground. BOTH were also used as
Football Grounds. In those days, people worked on Saturday mornings until 1:00 pm. Most lived within walking distance of their workplace. Early Melbournian sporting followers and the Barracks Military and Civilian personnel, evolved the habit of "going" to the "
football" after work before going home or
whatever. The games were not fixtured together, but alternative Saturdays, thus 'trapping' or encouraging the supporters to both grounds EACH week. The South Melbourne Ground was at the other end of the park and necessitated a long stroll. The 'Outer' of the South Melbourne ground was artificially 'mounded' for spectators' better viewing. The perimeter public fence was built at some small distance behind the
bottom of the mound, to services for the supporters convenience. Some supporters, along with their sons, arrived earlier for a better location. The sons often kicked a rag or paper
football 'end-to-end' to each other to fill in
time. Watching was always a group of boys atop the mound and were first to notice the Barrack Personnel walking across the playing fields. Then would cry "HERE COME THE BARRACKERS!" As all young boys well knew, that generally signified the the "Game" was soon to commence.
1. I barrack for Fitzroy.
2. Raucus supporters
go to the
game to barrack.
3. The barrackers were quite noisy.
4. He never
stops barracking.
5. I barrack for no one other than Fitzroy.
6. I never barrack for opposition teams.
