Cheersquad History Captured by the Camera of Kev

Published November 2020

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: Kevin McNair Collections

Some other pics from Kev can be found in another cheer squad album as well: Cheer Squad Gallery

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.

Triangle shaped banner

Punt Road Pros

Super calafragalistic - Hawthorn your atrocious

Tall banner

Not Our Cup of Tea

You Can Take the Gutters out of Collingwood

Double banner

Quadruple Banners

Percy-Cute the Demons

Todays Cats Tomorrows Dim Sims

Buck Rodgers Banner

Many Word Banner

Space Invaders

Pluck Swans Banner

Spelling Blunder

Kev took some wonderful photos of Carlton supporters over the years, you can see the changing fashions and passions as clear as day.

Some of the famous scores over the years were captured as well.

Famous 80 point win at Windy Hill in 1975

150 point reserves win in 1986

1995 Premiership

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.

1968 Kardinia Park

1968 Grand Final

1973 Grand Final

1981 Grand Final

After 1982 Grand Final

1982 Grand Final

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. jamie.blueseum@gmail.com