Princes Park is a 38.6 hectare (95.4 acre) park in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Carlton North, Victoria. It is located directly north of the University of Melbourne and bounded on its eastern and western sides by Melbourne General Cemetery and Royal Parade respectively Although the park consists of a number of Australian rules football ovals, the bowling green of the Prince’s Park Carlton Bowls Club Bowls, and a small stretch of parkland, it is best known as the location of Ikon Park, the old Prince’s Park Football Ground, the home of the Carlton Football Club.
Once a week I like to take my dog Harry (yes Harry the white fluffy one not Mackay) for a walk around Princess Park. Once a proud Carlton Social Club member at the ground it was a pleasure to sit in the social club and watch the games on this famous ground. It was the best place as a social club member to watch the football. With all the champions and the eclectic members like John Elliott and the Carlton Crew there was always something to see or laugh at.
I still recall the group of buddies who drank with us in the Howard T Houston Bar (top level) and would always run the first goal kick competition. (Name the player who kicks the first goal). You would put in $20 and expect someone to win the loot but no one ever did and they probably used the cash for their drinks for the day. 🙂
They there were the occasional fights in the top bar when rival supporters were allowed into the social club on game days. They got the message if they started anything serious.
Princess Park even hosted the 1945 Grand Final to a packed crowd. Sadly the last AFL game to be played this ground was against Melbourne in I think 2005.
When Carlton left the ground over what I call a dodgy deal with Docklands Stadium I did not renew my membership and know others who also did not.
Stay tuned for more memories when I get a few more moments to write.
Nice Old Princes Park……I never being there or seen it before….. Sad that you felt you had to forgo your Membership with few other people when it seemed greed and politics got in the way…….
I think the present of carlton or the CEO at the time was also the lead at the Docklands and they needed another side to anchor. Also believe this was a bad idea as some AFL games could still be played there with upgrades. Interstate clubs do not fill marvel or mcg.
interesting…..do you think is coincidence? that if it was true the CEO was lead of Docklands woweeee!
Do you think a bit of nudge,nudge,wink, wink was involved? don’t know tbh I guess……as Footy History is not my forte…..
Nice article especially about the first goal kicking.
I think it was Ian Collins never liked him.