They fill the hill, wear the bear and cheer on our local footy team through rain or shine. As The North Sydney Bears go from strength to strength, northsider meets some of their biggest supporters.
The Bears are part of us
Shirley Tyndall, Cathy Campbell and Lauren Fletcher are three generations of Bears fans. Shirley, 93, has been a supporter of the team for 73 years and counting
“My first trip to North Sydney Oval was in 1951 when I was 20 years old,” Shirley tells northsider. “I was with my friend Marge and we went to watch two young fellas she knew try out for the team.”
While their friends didn’t make the grade, Shirley left The Oval hooked on The Bears. Her support of the team became a family affair, with her daughters, and even her Eastern Suburbs supporting hubby, embracing her passion.
“I was breast feeding once and it was a running joke that I was getting the baby on the bottle so I could go to the games,” Shirley, who’s known as Shirl, laughs.
As the children grew up, they’d accompany their mum and dad to matches, travelling from Newtown to see their team play.
“I worked at a paper company and I’d bring home red and black paper to cut up and take to The Oval,” Shirl remembers. “When The Bears scored, we’d throw it in the air.”
“We’d look forward to every weekend we crossed the bridge,” Shirl’s daughter, Cathy, says. “We’d go together as a family and when, and if, the team won we’d have red and black streamers that we held out of the car windows on the way home. We’d always tell the toll keeper on the bridge that The Bears won too! It was all part of the fun.”
When Cathy had three daughters of her own, the footy loving family continued to grow.
“When I was at high school, I remember behind staying after the games in the 90s with my autograph book,” Cathy’s daughter, Lauren, says. “The players, like Jason Taylor, were so approachable and friendly. The Bears were just the team you went for.”
When their beloved team exited the national rugby league competition in 1999, the family threw their support behind them, heading to the Central Coast for the Save The Bears march in 2010. Shirl walked alongside legendary player, now team Wellbeing, Education and Community Manager, Greg Florimo.
“We all grew up with The Bears. It’s our family tradition”
They are adamant that the team, which was established in 1908 and was one of the country’s first rugby league football clubs, should be back in the National competition.
“We’re a foundation team, we deserve to be there,” Lauren says.
From cushions, to jackets, hats and bumper stickers, Shirley and the family are proud to wear the bear and show their support. “We always know what gifts to buy Mum,” Cathy smiles.
And while there’s no hesitation when it comes to the best matches of all time - “Any time we beat Manly!” all three laugh – 2023 was also a very special season for the family.
“We were so proud when they got to the Grand Finals,” Cathy continues. “It was the first Grand Final Mum had been to and we all went to the match.”
Lauren’s eldest daughter, Chloe, 21, went too and might just be showing signs of also being a red and black fan.
“Chloe loves the history of her great grandma being a Bears fan and she loves North Sydney Oval…so fingers crossed!” Lauren says. “We all grew up with The Bears. It’s our family tradition, it’s part of us.”
When you love The Bears, it’s for life
Rob Knight supports the bears from interstate
“I’m from Sydney’s South and when I was five, my parents asked if I was going to support The Sharks or The Dragons. I said The Bears! I’ve been a fan for 36 years now.
They’re more than a footy team. When you love The Bears it’s for life. I still remember Flo’s farewell game like it was yesterday…devastating for us on The Hill! I moved to the Adelaide Hills five years ago so unfortunately I can’t get to games anymore. However I’m part of ‘The Den’ supporters group on Facebook and that keeps me in touch with all the die hards. They’re a great community that shares my passion and hunger for re-admission. If The Bears come back I’ll be flying all over Australia for games!”
They’re more than just a footy team
Michael Thorpe has a collection of team memorabilia dating back to the ‘60s
“Each game is like a family event and every time you go to the ground, it brings back so many memories. I’ve been a Bears fan pretty much my whole life. My mum and my nana were Bears supporters so naturally I supported them too. They’d take me to games and I’d sit with them in the stands until I was 12 or so. Then I was allowed to go and sit on The Hill with the guys with the big flags! The Bears are more than just a football team for me - I grew up with them and the fans are a great community, everyone has their own connection and story.
“The fans are a great community”
When I was young my family would buy me Bears stuff. I kept it all and recently pulled it out of storage. I’ve probably got around 300 or so items, from posters to shirts to stubby coolers and everything in-between dating back as far as the 1960s. One of my favourite items is a supporters’ ball that player Billy Moore gave me on my 10th birthday that was signed by all the players. That was pretty special! I’ve got lots of great photos too, including one of me in full Bears kit when they won the Reserve Grade Grand Final in ‘89 and one from ‘92 when I got to hold the cup.
My partner is very understanding! We moved to a three bed place so she could have an office and I could have a room for The Bears! I’ve started an Instagram, @redandblack_bears, to showcase items from my collection and I’ve got followers from all over the world because everybody likes The Bears – if they’re not your team, then they’re definitely your second favourite.
It’s important for the team to come back to the NRL. We were one of the first footy clubs in the country and we shouldn’t have had to leave in the first place. Fingers crossed we make the Grand Final again this year and win it – I think we’re in with a good chance!”
The Bears mean everything
Ross Pitman has been a bears fan since he was born
“My auntie gave me my first Bears jumper when I was born so I’ve been a Bears fan since day one! The fan community is the best. We’re a unique breed as we have endured so many hardships but it has galvanised our love of, and belief in, this truly great football club. We’re one big family. The 90s were a great time to follow The Bears. During football season we’d share stories and hopes and what ifs about the upcoming game. We travelled en mass to games and we’re all still good mates today.
I’d say my standout game was in 1997 when we smashed Manly 41-8. To be at The Oval with my mates on a wet overcast day watching the Mighty Bears flog them was the best day ever.
“People lost their identity because they had lost their team”
There was a real sense of sorrow and loss when The Bears were kicked out of the national competition. People lost their identity because they had lost their team. My good friend Darren Welsby (formally Barney the Bear) created a Facebook group called The Den for us supporters to connect, reflect and rejoice in our history. It’s now got close to 9000 members all rooting for The Bears to come back. It’s so, so important for that to happen. It’s been 25 years but we’re still living in hope. The fans need it and Rugby League and the NRL need it too. The Bears mean everything. I can’t follow any other team and wouldn’t even entertain the idea. It’s The Bears or it’s no one!”
Hearing the fans’ support from the stands changes the way we play
Kurt De Luis is Captain of The North Sydney Bears
“The fans’ support means everything to the team. A game can easily be lost if the boys start to drop their heads but we’ll hear the fans in the stands and on The Hill and that lifts everyone’s chins and changes momentum. This season our change room walkway is lined with the cheering crowds of the red and black army, and it just means so much to pass those faces as we head out to play. We’re super grateful to have them cheering us on at games and seeing kids and families on the field after the game is the absolute best. People in North Sydney love their footy and it’s an honour to lead the boys out on to the field at every home game and soak up the energy of the fans around the ground.”
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