Cheersquad History Captured by the Camera of Kev

Unknown treasures still exist and can still be discovered hiding in the suburbs of Melbourne awaiting to be discovered. Recently, the Blueseum was alerted to the existence of what could be described as a holy grail of previously unseen Carlton history.

The custodian of this treasure is long time passionate Carlton supporter, Kevin McNair. Kevin is a long time member of the Carlton Football Club Cheersquad from the 1960s through to today. When Kev went to the footy he always took his trusty camera along and over the years snapped many memorable slices of Carlton history, we see Carlton banners (or run-throughs as some prefer), Carlton crowds, supporters, games and scoreboards covering decades.

In fact after many trips to scan Kev's many albums of photos the Blueseum has been able to accumulate an image gallery of over 700 images of Kev's happy snaps. This isn't even the whole collection.

To view the collection click here: www.blueseum.org/gallery1631

Some other pics from Kev can be found in another cheer squad album as well: http://www.blueseum.org/gallery595

The largest component of the collection is the massive array of run-through banners, 466 photos in total. The fascinating aspect is seeing the evolution of the banner in the VFL/AFL. Banners started off as simple and small in the 1960s, and gradually grew into the massive size we are now familiar with by the 1980s. Along the way many short lived experiments occurred such as a triangle shaped banner, tall banners and multiple banners at once. The most obvious difference though is the banners reflecting the time they were created, in the 1970s many banners were what we would currently call not politically correct. They even reflect trends such as the computer games of the early 1980s. http://www.blueseum.org/gallery1632

Triangle shaped banner - Click to expand	Punt Road Pros - Click to expand	Super calafragalistic - Hawthorn your atrocious Click to expand
Tall banner - Click to expand	Not Our Cup of Tea - Click to expand	You Can Take the Gutters out of Collingwood - Click to expand
Double banner - Click to expand	Quadruple Banners - Click to expand	Percy-Cute the Demons - Click to expand
Todays Cats Tomorrows Dim Sims - Click to expand	Buck Rodgers Banner - Click to expand	Many Word Banner- Click to expand
Space Invaders - Click to expand	Pluck Swans Banner - Click to expand	Spelling Blunder- Click to expand

Kev took some wonderful photos of Carlton supporters over the years, you can see the changing fashions and passions as clear as day. http://www.blueseum.org/gallery1633

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Some of the famous scores over the years were captured as well. http://www.blueseum.org/gallery1634

Famous 80 point win at Windy Hill in 1975 - Click to expand

150 point reserves win in 1986 - Click to expand

1995 Premiership - Click to expand

There are many shots of the cheer squad itself which transformed from balloons in the 1970s to massive floggers and paper-strewn grounds of the 1980s. Also, some great new shots of grand finals which have never been seen before. www.blueseum.org/gallery1631

1968 Kardinia Park - Click to expand	1968 Grand Final - Click to expand	1973 Grand Final - Click to expand
1981 Grand Final - Click to expand	After 1982 Grand Final - Click to expand	1982 Grand Final - Click to expand

All Carlton supporters are in debt to Kev for capturing and keeping the history of our mighty club. We are lucky and blessed to have supporters like Kev and thank him for letting us share his wonderful collection with all Carlton supporters.

If you have a unique collection of historical significance please contact the Blueseum and we might be able to add your history to the club's history. admin@blueseum.org