Winnipeg Blue Bomber Report Record: 7–11–0

The Fans’ Take

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Longtime Bomber fans select highlights

By: Fred C Dobbs

3/11/2009 9:20 AM | Comments: 0

First, a word about my photo. At this resolution I'm just a mangled blob of pixels but it's the only time I made the front page of the Free Press. It was at the old Arena, the day the Bombers returned from the 'Fog Bowl', and that's Herb Gray, Steve Patrick, and - of course - Bud Grant holding the Grey Cup.

Rather than just posting my own thoughts on the Bombers, I thought I'd canvass some of the real die hard fans, some of whom turn up to watch the Bombers practice almost every day. And they tend not to post on the net. I missed a couple: "Ralph" is 92. But he doesn't like Winnipeg winters and has gone off to visit his older sister (she's 97) in England. "Les," who's in his 80s, goes back to the days of Fritzy Hanson and Osbourne Stadium. But again, when the frost hits the pumpkin, he's off to Florida.

So, here goes.

"Jean," who's 74, says she's "always" been a Bomber fan and has been a season ticket holder off and on for 20 years (currently 14 years straight).

What's your first Bomber memory? "As a teenage member of the International Order of Job's Daughters drill team, performing at halftime at Osbourne Stadium."

What is your favourite Bomber Team, Coach, and/or Player (and why?) "'50/60s - Bud Grant era. Splendid teams, great organization, many championships. Ken Ploen, who became a full-time member of the community in every respect."

What do you think of this year, so far. "It's been gloomy - but I haven't lost hope."

If you could say one thing to Mike Kelly, what would it be? "Keep doing what you're doing. You're on the right track."

"Royce", who's 72, has been a season ticket holder for 50 years and is well-known in the Bomber organization.

What's your first Bomber memory? "The 1958 Grey Cup game. We won over Hamilton 35 to 28!"

What is your favourite Bomber Team, Coach, and/or Player (and why?) "The 1958 Grey Cup was the first I attended in person. That was my favourite team, and my favourite coach was Bud Grant, and my favourite player was Leo (The Lincoln Locomotive) Lewis."

What do you think of this year, so far. "I think this year's team is not that bad so far. What hurt us to date is that we have a coach who concerns himself with issues other than football. We could have used an Offensive Co-ordinator from the beginning of the season. And we could also use a Q/Back coach!"

If you could say one thing to Mike Kelly, what would it be? "What I would say to Mike Kelly is this:

(1) Don't be so fast with your rebuttals.

(2) Don't be so damn stubborn!

(3) If you bring in a player for a certain position you should try them out at that position instaed of having them standing on the sidelines!

(4) We're the only team who don't 'blitz', how come?

(5) When we're losing pretty bad and there's no hope for a comeback, how come you don't use your back-up QB?"

"Arch" aka 'Bomber Diehard' is "Over 70" and has been a Bomber fan for 52 years.

What's your first Bomber memory? "The 1962 Fog Bowl game in Toronto's CNE Stadium was a great memory Winnipeg 28 Hamilton 27. The CNE is located at Toronto's waterfront on Lake Ontario. With about 10 minutes left to play in the Fourth Quarter. Commisioner Syd Halter calls the game because of Fog. With the game continued the next day and no further scoring, we won. Great Players like Gerry Games-Farrell Funston-Leo Lewis-Charlie Sheppard. It was always great to beat Hamilton' colourful coach Jungle Jim Trimble.

What is your favourite Bomber Team, Coach, and/or Player (and why)? "The 1957 and 1958 teams were great teams with a new young coach Bud Grant at the helm. Loaded with great Canadians Roger Savoie-Ed Kotowich-Ron Latourelle-Gerry Games-Steve Patrick-Cornell Piper and Gord Rowland. Imports Ken Ploen-Charlie Sheppard-Ernie Pitts-Leo Lewis-Jim Van Pelt-Frank Rigney-Buddy Tinsley.

What do you think of this year, so far? "A lot of improvement in the defensive backfield and the kicking game. Quarterback is a very important area in football and this year for the Bombers has not been good."

If could say one thing to Mike Kelly, what would it be? "Mike make sure you have great assistant coaches around you. Great coaches know the Shotgun is great and five to six receivers now n then is a great change.
Mike, Lyle may sign your pay chegue but the fans and the media put money in the bank."

"Fred's Take"

What's your first Bomber memory? "The 1957 Grey Cup. While listening to the game on the radio (it was live on TV only in Toronto at that time), it went something like this 'Mommy, why did Gerry James fumble again?' 'He's playing with a broken bone in his hand; it's not his fault dear.'"

What is your favourite Bomber Team, Coach, and/or Player (and why)? "The 1965 'Return to Glory' team, even though we didn't win the Grey Cup that year. To put things into perspective, 1964 was the worst year in Bombers' history: one win, 14 losses, and one tie. But Grant did a great rebuilding job in the off-season, but still we were overwhelming picked to finish in last place. In the first game of the '65 season we were at Edmonton and got to receive the opening kickoff. The Eskies, of course, knew better than to kick it to Leo Lewis so they elected to kick to the new rookie returner. Dave Raimey caught it in the five yard line and took it all the way back, 105 yards for a touchdown. What a way to start a season, and what would become a CFL Hall of Fame career."

What do you think of this year, so far? "To be honest, by and large pretty disappointing. I expected us to do better."

If could say one thing to Mike Kelly, what would it be? "The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a long and proud history: a history that makes its fans recall many inspiring stories from the team's past. This year it's all in your hands. Don't let Kevin Glenn and the Ticats knock us out of the playoffs and bring this season to an inglorious end.

And finally. It would be good to hear other's recollections of the Bomber's past. Especially, the 80 and 90 year olds but I expect that there's not a lot of them posting on the internet.

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