Collingwood fan has worn his Pies shirt for 2,918 days after 2010 Grand Final vow

BLACK and white faithful Barry Knowles has worn a Collingwood shirt for the past eight years - including to formal events, workdays and overseas holidays - after a vow made during the Grand Final in 2010.

Collingwood super fan Barry Knowles has worn a Pies shirt every day since the 2010 Grand Final

WHEN you call Barry Knowles’ number, there’s no guessing where his allegiance lies.

The Collingwood theme song blares down the line before he’s even had a chance to answer — and that’s just the start.

The 60-year-old black and white faithful from Warrnambool made a pact after the 2010 grand final — vowing to wear his Collingwood shirt every day until his beloved Pies won their next premiership.

Eight years on, Mr Knowles has worn a club shirt for 2,918 days in a row — including formal events, workdays and trips overseas.

No word of a lie, he says.

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Barry in his Collingwood shirt at Niagra Falls.

“I’ve worn one every day for 8 years now — I’ve got photos in America, at the Niagara Falls — all with my Collingwood shirt on.”

“I’ve got about 35 different ones to choose from,” he says.

Mr Knowles was front and centre at the preliminary final game against Richmond, making the three and a half-hour trek from the states southwest to the big city.

“It was the best atmosphere I’ve witnessed and the best game I’ve ever seen them play.”

“I couldn’t sleep [Friday night] — I drove home the next morning and I’ve got the Collingwood CD in the ute and I sang it a fair few times on the drive home.”

But it’s Mr Knowles’ house that is perhaps his biggest statement — the entire back part of the home is head-to-toe black and white.

The room out the back of Barry’s home.

The bathroom at Barry’s house.

Barry sporting his Collingwood top overseas.

Emblems, jumpers, framed photos, signatures and stripes — you name it, it’s on the wall.

Even the toilet is decorated black and white.

He also has an original copy of every post-grand final newspaper from Collingwood’s 15 premiership wins, dating from 1917 onwards.

“I suppose 18-20 years ago when I first got the house I just thought to myself what can I do with the room out the back — and it just started to slowly happen.”

Collingwood super fan Barry Knowles has worn a Pies shirt every day since the 201 Grand Final

The wall of Collingwood related Herald Sun pages in Barry’s home.

His club passion is loud and clear.

“I love the room. “

“I met [former player] Jack Green when I was on holidays and we got talking and stayed in contact and he came to stay with me not long ago — which was pretty special,” Mr Knowles said.

But he’s hoping this week the bet might be in its final days, with Collingwood lining up for the big dance this weekend against West Coast.

“If we win though I think I’ll have to keep wearing them — as a celebration,” he says.