Demons’ flag nicked from MCC roof in 1964 finally found

After being stolen from the roof of the MCC in 1964 by a cheeky kid, and used as a bedspread, the Demon’s “grand old flag” has been found. This is the incredible, secret story.

John Burns with the stolen flag, which was used as a bedspread for years. Picture: David Caird

As AFL finals series omens go, they don’t come much bigger or more timely than the discovery of the Melbourne Football Club’s actual, grand old flag.

The story of the partly tattered official Melbourne FC flag and how it ended up in the hands of one of Melbourne’s most-loved characters has been hidden for 57 years.

A family secret Melbourne radio legend and lawyer John Burns has decided to tell for the first time in his life to the Herald Sun.

A lifelong Demons fan and 3AW breakfast star for 19 years, John Burns — thanks to his father — is in possession of the Melbourne Football Club flag that flew above the MCC members stand on that September day, way back in 1964.

How it came to be a long-forgotten (now treasured) link back to the Demons and their last premiership, and the role John would like to see it play as the team again strives for ultimate glory, is symbolic of the dark years for Melbourne and its supporters.

“My father Bob worked on the wharves in 1964 as a tally clerk recording incoming and outgoing cargo. In the days after the 1964 win against Collingwood, a workmate pulled him aside and said he had something he wanted to give him.” John said.

Bob Burns told John his workmate revealed that on grand final day in 1964, after the siren sounded and with the Demons in front by a narrow four points, his son had climbed up to the roof of the MCC members and lowered the club flag flying above the grandstand.

The kid turned up at home with the flag — its metal shackles attached — and presented it to his father.

Radio legend John Burns has been a lifelong Demons fan. Picture: David Caird

Burns with the recently unearthed, antique Melbourne Football Club flag. Picture: David Caird

Not wanting to be in possession of what was clearly stolen property, the father decided to hand the flag over to John’s dad, who brought it home and gave it to John.

“When he gave it to me, it still had all hoisting gear attached to it, which I stripped from the flag and for the next eight years or so I used it, can you believe, as a bedspread.

“The family was living in Hampton at the time and until I left home in 1972 or thereabouts it was a bed cover. It even has a small cigarette burn in one corner and is a little tattered at one end” John said.

“Burnso” moved out of home and, as far as he was concerned, the valuable 1964 piece of memorabilia disappeared, not to be seen again until a few weeks ago, while John was enduring another boring day of lockdown.

As John remembers, from 1972 until a few weeks ago, the famous “grand old flag” sat at the bottom of a plastic bag full of John’s dad’s remnants, which he hadn’t touched through numerous house moves.

“It turned up at the bottom of an old plastic bag and there it was, the famously stolen MFC flag rearing its ugly head yet again.”

Now the secret has been revealed, with Melbourne one win away from another shot at premiership glory in Perth, if it can get through a preliminary final next weekend.

Unlike that day 57 years ago, John — like tens of thousands of other Melbourne supporters desperate to see their team win a flag — sadly won’t be able to be there.

He’s now an MCC member but he remembers in ’64, as a young law student, he turned up in a tweed jacket and tie in the standing room section at the Punt Rd end.

Burns says the flag turned up at the bottom of an old plastic bag. Picture: David Caird

“I went with my best mate who ended up being my best man and we watched as Ray Gabelich kicked that famous running goal to put Collingwood in front.”

But to their relief, Demons defender Neil Crompton then pounced on the ball in front of Melbourne’s goal to kick the winner - his only goal of the season.

If John had glanced across the MCG he would have seen his long-held secret souvenir flying above the MCC grandstand.

Now he wants to hand it over to the club he has supported all his life and hopes, if it makes the grand final, the old Melbourne Football Club ensign — with its tiny cigarette burn — can act as an omen to break the longest premiership drought in VFL/AFL history.

If it’s not flying proudly on the last Saturday in September, he would like nothing more than to see it draped around the shoulders of inspiring Demons skipper Max Gawn.

You can’t help but wonder where that cheeky teenager who pinched it way back when is now.